Firefly interest thread - They still make those?

[NiceTexasGuy]

Yes, children, it's yet another Firefly interest thread.  Why will this one be different from all the others?

Well .... unlike other Robin Hoods, I speak wit... oh wait, wrong story.

Honestly, I don't know.  I've been in a couple on E, one fizzled out and the other I had to drop out due to some outside issues.  Then there was the munchkin version I found on another forum where practically every character but mine was either a former Parliamentary operative or an escapee from the Academy.  Ooooookay.

But I feel that it's just an idea I don't want to let die, so I'm determined to give it another shot.

Can't stop the signal, right?

Okay, so, here's the idea:

First, do we want to play canon characters or have an all new original cast? 

If we play the Serenity crowd, I'd like to consider setting it in the period between the TV show and the movie.  Yeah, tricky, that, but I loved the entire package.  The obvious other choice would be right after the events of the movie.  It's open for discussion, of course.

If we're looking at an original crew on a different ship, I need to step up on the soap box for a second:

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

All that's needed to make a ship fly is (1) somebody needs to own it, (2) somebody needs to captain it, (3) somebody needs to drive it, and (4) somebody needs to fix it.  These can be four or more different characters, or some characters can do more than one of these jobs.  Obviously, there can be others.  A copilot.  A gunslinger.  Five gunslingers.  But for the love of all that's holy, the ship doesn't have a billet for a doctor and a Registered Companion. 

There might be a doctor on board for some reason (maybe he's on the run from the law and trying to lay low) but a ship that size with a crew of a half dozen or less isn't normally going to have a doctor.  Get real.  Same for the Registered Companion.  If Inara had been a master chef or a concert pianist, does that mean every ship in the 'verse would need a master chef or concert pianist on board? 

If you want to be a doctor, a whore, a chef, or a piano player, and can think of a reason to be on this boat, then fine.  These are not open positions needing to be filled. Okay?  Thank you.

:: steps down off the soap box ::

So, the general idea is to keep the number of players small and try to keep the game flowing.  If we play the original series, I'll NPC the characters who aren't picked.  (If that proves overwhelming, perhaps another player can help out there.)  If we go with characters of our own making,  I would either not play a character except as NPC's, or play the most minor of characters (maybe a long-term passenger).

Then, I figure I'll be the one to throw things at the crew from time to time as the GM-like person, unless someone else wants the job and I'll play a crew member.

Again, the main thrust is keep the number of players small and keep things flowing.

Any interest?

[ShadowFox89]

I might be interested, possibly even captain. I would prefer original characters, though it always depends on what whoever else joins in says.

As opposed to Mal, the OC would be a disheartened Alliance soldier who cashed in his soldier's pay for a ship.

[Niferbelle]

I would be interested in a Firefly game with original characters.

[RubySlippers]

I wouldn't mind a woman noble of Persephone or an adventuress Black Sheep from the civilized planets with the funding sources to buy a ship, if there is adventure in the offing.

Its a hobby she can wear pants, use her long blade and modest other skills and lines of credit and play the scoundrel letting the Captain and crew do the work. ;)

[Primarch]

I'm very up for this. Also with a preference for OC. I'll gladly take up a mechanic to get the core crew filled up.

[Capone]

I'd be interested in this type of game with an original crew myself.

To address the soap box, though, it all requires some level of creativity. How about a doctor that can't get a job with Alliance planets because he had drug addictions or other unhealthy habits that got him kicked out, and so now he does what he can on some junker floating about in space.

Similar themes can go with a companion. Possibly someone who was flunked out, dropped out, maybe never wanted to be a companion in the first place but uses the skills best she can, etc.

To me, there's no problem as long as the player would implement some creativity.

Since E has been slow lately, consider me down as a potential interest. I'll have to think of what sort of character I'd like to play, what reason they'd have to adventure into the great unknown.

[Teke]

I'd be up for playing Was... I mean our OC pilot.  I'm thinking not nearly as nervous as Wash, but not quite as gun or lady crazy as Jayne, but somewhere in the middle. We'll see.

Tex, I hope that you don't mind playing a second game with me?

[Teke]

Similar themes can go with a companion. Possibly someone who was flunked out, dropped out, maybe never wanted to be a companion in the first place but uses the skills best she can, etc.

So, in other words, a "registered" whore?  Actually, not just Mal-speak.

[ShadowFox89]

I'd be up for playing Was... I mean our OC pilot.  I'm thinking not nearly as nervous as Wash, but not quite as gun or lady crazy as Jayne, but somewhere in the middle. We'll see.

Tex, I hope that you don't mind playing a second game with me?

A mix between Wash and Jayne.... Oh gods...

[Teke]

A mix between Wash and Jayne.... Oh gods...

I'm still trying to kinda figure it out myself, but I'm thinking a slightly crazy, "Let's not get into this fight, but just in case, ooh, I have this flamethrower!" kind of personality.  Still want to have to put up with that as Captain?  XD

[ShadowFox89]

It could prove an interesting challenge. Haven't figured on a personality for my guy just yet. Something like Mal, but from the other side of the coin.

[NiceTexasGuy]

Thank you all for the interest.

Due to an unexpected emergency, I don't know when I'll be back... but since I'm not really necessary here anyway, please put together a crew and start looking for work.  Maybe I can join up when I'm able.

[RubySlippers]

Kaylyn Beautroix
Eccentric Wealthy Woman of Persephone

A classic member of Persephone's elite she is the black sheep of the family and whose major assets are her looks, masterful skill with the long blade with related unarmed combat is actually a formidable fighter, some skill in the pistol, an education that was quite fair, social graces and various lines of funds plus is a citizen of the Alliance with an Indenticard.

Recently took an interest is seeing the Verse' so wants to by a ship and let a crew run it so she can explore.

-> Very basic idea of the character think of her looking like a bimbo, with a really finely crafted long blade and pistol and not having to worry much about money even after buying a ship. But likely will be the kind of woman that gets into trouble on occassion. <-

[NiceTexasGuy]

Just a little addendum, I might be coming online from time to time out of boredom or curiosity or needing the distraction, but I doubt if I'll be in the right frame of mine for plotting or posting.

To address the soap box, though, it all requires some level of creativity. How about a doctor that can't get a job with Alliance planets because he had drug addictions or other unhealthy habits that got him kicked out, and so now he does what he can on some junker floating about in space.

Similar themes can go with a companion. Possibly someone who was flunked out, dropped out, maybe never wanted to be a companion in the first place but uses the skills best she can, etc.

To me, there's no problem as long as the player would implement some creativity.

Right, I'm not saying there can't be a doctor or a companion, I'm just saying there doesn't have to be.   I've seen a lot of groups attempting to get a game going and the attitude seems to be one of "I'll play the doctor, but we still need a companion" and I was just trying to avoid that.

[Teke]

Kaylyn Beautroix
Eccentric Wealthy Woman of Persephone

A classic member of Persephone's elite she is the black sheep of the family and whose major assets are her looks, masterful skill with the long blade with related unarmed combat is actually a formidable fighter, some skill in the pistol, an education that was quite fair, social graces and various lines of funds plus is a citizen of the Alliance with an Indenticard.

Recently took an interest is seeing the Verse' so wants to by a ship and let a crew run it so she can explore.

-> Very basic idea of the character think of her looking like a bimbo, with a really finely crafted long blade and pistol and not having to worry much about money even after buying a ship. But likely will be the kind of woman that gets into trouble on occassion. <-

Far be it from me to make suggestions about other people's characters, but I'm trying to find any kind of weakness of your character Ruby.  She's a black sheep, but would still have contacts in the upper class, she's a good fighter, she's rich enough to buy a ship and still has what would amount to unlimited money, a great education and people skills, and is a recognized citizen.  I'm just not seeing anything but strengths there.  More than that, what would the point be in looking for work?  We would essentially just be her personal limosine service as she pays our way across the 'Verse.

Now, having some starting cash and ship, and maybe very difficult ways of getting to other money sources (read: missions) and being completely cut off and outcast from her former life with only her education and skills to live by until she can get her ragtag crew to get her money again.

I mean, my char will have fairly good piloting skills, ok to fair shooting skills, but is probably going to be a "little" kooky and you don't really want to take him out into public all that much and isn't going to have much in the way of money.  He'll have some guns(and will pick up whatever he finds to keep or fence), and maybe a couple of contacts, but he's not going to be anywhere close to perfect.

Please don't take this as I'm not liking your character, but she just seems a little nerfed to me.

[RubySlippers]

I didn't say ample lines of credit she can tap some of her own sources if needed say her trust fund the family can't touch but not the families extensive income and some small investments.

And she is pretty much eccentric, that is not always a good thing. She will normally dress like the picture and think she is a buccaneer from the Earth That Was literature and movies. And her only big advantage she is a citizen with an Identicard and likely pays into the health care system and taxes.

I will note most foppish nobles were dangerous with a long blade and could brawl on Persephone and a pistol she is at best a fair shot its not her prefered weapon and she might have one for use if she has to.

But I figure after buying the ship you and the crew are to make her one big investment work and make her money, since she likely sunk most of her available savings into it before they blocked her family accounts.

An example lets say a lady fair is being accosted by bar thugs she would likely intervene even if a whore with dashing rapier and derring do ,okay I need to toss in fairly athletic, and likely get in to deep at times on some worlds. After all she is a charming noble but still has the she a a noble and the commoners are well common and even out of the family at home she is still a noble outcast to the common. Remember the good doctor his good manners did cause issues but she is like that and condescending about it your all HER employees and well common just maybe amusing common.

I plan to work on other skills in the game right now she had a noble education likely decent not a Companion level. knows etiquette, is dangerous with a long blade but come on its not a gun and brawling has limits in the game, has some money not alot but can tape a little something each month as a boost to her income and is likely fit. And will be socially appealing save she looks down on the commoners as just not of her station. And well is a citizen and your going to need someone the Alliance will talk to your all likely scum if your not holding an Identicard to some officers.

I'm still working on her but I plan to not have her be good at everything your character is far more well-rounded and worldly she is pretty much a classic noble who was expected to marry nicely and be a good girl so the education was focused on that and her hobbies.

[NiceTexasGuy]

I know I said "you guys take it and run with it" but to be practical, somebody needs to take the lead, and since I started the interest thread, I should go ahead and do that.

Another note for everyone which I apologize for not putting in the first post ... I understand that sex happens, but what I'm wanting to do is roleplay adventures based on the Firefly universe, not just "hookups in space."

So, how does everyone feel about this:

I'll play a recurring character, Col. Thaddeus Green, who will not normally be on the ship.  Col. Green owned a small shipping business before the war.  When the War for Independence (which the purplebellies call the Unification War) started, my character spent a great deal of his own money raising a regiment to fight for the Independents.  The war left him much much less prosperous and in ill health.  He is still seen as a pillar of the community, however, and most of his entourage (close business associates, loyal managers, some bodyguard type valets, etc) are former browncoats who served in his regiment.  Most of his ships were lost in the war.  The ship in question, a Firefly class vessel, the Musashi Maru, was one of the few that survived.  It is one of the assets he is trying to sell off -- basically in preparation for his death.

As money was tight and he could not find a buyer outright, he "sold" it to (ShadowFox89's character), basically agreeing to carry the note.  So, ShadowFox89's character is the de facto "owner" and captain, though if he doesn't find enough work to keep making the payments, the ship is forfeit back to the Colonel.  Since the Colonel doesn't really want the ship back, he might not be too quick to repossess it... leaving SF a little leeway on the payments.  (We might agree on some backstory for the two meeting up in the war, even though they were on opposite sides?)

My idea is that the Colonel will occasionally appear in person, might occasionally throw some business your way, and might occasionally ask for "favors" (especially if the last couple of payments were a little late or short.)

SF in turn needs to come up with a crew.  It looks like we have five other people interested.  Without me, there could be six on the ship.  I think that should be the upper limit.

Teke is the one who expressed an idea in a particular sort of character, so let's say he's going to play the pilot with a penchant for blowing things up (hopefully not his own ship).

Primarch has expressed an interest in playing a mechanic.

So, basically, we're shiny, and anyone else we come up with is just icing on the cake.  So please, if the rest of you are still interested, please come up with a character idea and let's get it worked out.

A special note for Ruby, who has provided the most complete idea thusfar.  Ruby, you may not remember but we were briefly involved in a Firefly roleplay which I got in on just before it died.  You weren't very cooperative with me at the time (I was playing Simon to your Kaylee.)  Since then, I've seen the problems you've had with other groups.  Therefore, I'm inclined to be skeptical regarding your involvement.  If this upsets you, I'm sorry, but you realize that anyone on Elliquiy can start their own group, including you, if you really want to play Firefly.

If you really really want to be a part of this group, I would ask that you make some concessions regarding your character.  Basically, what I have in mind is that you can play the Colonel's flaky niece ("My sister's kid") who is (or wants to be) an actress.  That's her excuse for dressing up like a Musketeer fetishist and carrying a sword and just generally acting eccentric.  Or any other strange manner of dress she chooses for the occasion.  A condition the Colonel put on the guy buying the ship (since he couldn't come up with the down payment) is he has to take your character on as a cook and keep her out of trouble (and unpregnant).  If you're okay with this, then please rethink your character and give her some serious flaws.  Maybe she thinks her family is wealthy and/or descended from nobility, or maybe she's the worse actress in the 'verse, or maybe she keeps trying to slip away with every "bad boy" the ship encounters, forcing the crew to kidnap her, or rescue her, depending on your point of view, to avoid the Colonel's wrath.

This will not be the central plot of every episode, but could make for some interesting encounters. 

If you're not okay with this and starting out on probation, then I understand.  Go in peace, and good luck in the future.

Also, if Ruby isn't interested in this role, it might be something someone else wants to do.

[ShadowFox89]

Texas, shouldn't you post the red colored text in a private message? It really doesn't belong where everyone ran read ;)

[NiceTexasGuy]

Texas, shouldn't you post the red colored text in a private message? It really doesn't belong where everyone ran read ;)

Normally, I might agree, but I wanted to be open about it so everyone involved knows the score.  As for past problems, it's simply a matter of looking over previous posts, which is isn't uncommon for someone to do with perspective playmates. 

Prior to my latest post, Teke tried to address these concerns with her, and it doesn't look like she took the hint.

Sorry if anyone is offended.  I just want a tight group to make this thing work.

[RubySlippers]

I did its a draft base character I'm refining her skills -

Like her education is refined to useless facts of things most people don't care about. This means knows about Earht That Was, the finer points of fencing history, art history but do not ask her to fly a ship or try to fix anything that is for commoners.

And yes she great with a long blade she likely studied it as a fighting art for much of her life its a sport after all and she is a noblewoman, she can likely brawl some since fencers do unarmed fight and use a blade and is althletic. She can use a pistol I didn't say expert just had some experience.

Her social skills will be good but mostly due to be a pretty noble and she has access to some money from her trust fund and can handle her money, her access to family accounts is gone not money given to her that is her own. To her she is still going to be struggling.

If this game had rules it would be easier this is why I'm not good in freeform games sadly, if you said we could have five skills one expert, two medium level and two novice I could just plug in where I wanted them. You give no firm guidelines and then you get me trying to guess things like if a woman was raised among the elite what would she know - fencing that was in the tv show the men studied it a tomboy noblewoman might and make it a key skill. I figure she knows lots of little things and is educated but in a liberal arts sense not in a trade. And so forth.

[Primarch]

Another character for you lot to tear up. :P

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

Chase Spencer
The Mechanic
Chase comes from out of those settlements way out where local folk take care of one another. Its also the kind of place where just about every is involved in crime of some kind, be it just skimming a little something off the side or keeping the local authorities sweet with something nice. Chase started out as a farmhand who turned mechanic in his teenage years. On the books he was a legit mechanic's apprentice, off the books he was involved in a chop shop, gun running and protection. Things were going real smooth for a long time until one job went more south then folk were comfortable with. A Fed man ended up dead and the gun belonged to Chase. There wasn't anything about it. Him being around would bring too much heat in on a town that didn't need outside eyes looking at it.

Chase took his leave and has been doing what he can to get by ever since. He can keep your boat flying and tend to its needs, he'll have your back in a gun fight and there ain't a bar brawl in all the Verse he ain't at home in. 

[Niferbelle]

I should have an idea for a character ready to put up soon. Just one question though...what time line are we talking about in regard to Serenity, before or after? If it's before, how long after the Unification war?

[Teke]

Another character for you lot to tear up. :P

Chase Spencer
The Mechanic
Chase comes from out of those settlements way out where local folk take care of one another. Its also the kind of place where just about every is involved in crime of some kind, be it just skimming a little something off the side or keeping the local authorities sweet with something nice. Chase started out as a farmhand who turned mechanic in his teenage years. On the books he was a legit mechanic's apprentice, off the books he was involved in a chop shop, gun running and protection. Things were going real smooth for a long time until one job went more south then folk were comfortable with. A Fed man ended up dead and the gun belonged to Chase. There wasn't anything about it. Him being around would bring too much heat in on a town that didn't need outside eyes looking at it.

Chase took his leave and has been doing what he can to get by ever since. He can keep your boat flying and tend to its needs, he'll have your back in a gun fight and there ain't a bar brawl in all the Verse he ain't at home in.
[/l]

I don't much have a problem with Chase, namely because his positives are pretty much two, and he has two possible very bad storylines.  Plus: he can fight and he can fix.  Negative: either his former buddies or the feds are quite possibly going to come for his head and I'd imagine with the speed that he had to escape, he probably doesn't have much and can't really use many of his contacts because they want to stay clear of that murder.

At some point I'll have the time to run up my own char and let the public trash him as well.  8-)

[Teke]

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

Cameron "Cam" Wynn

The Pilot

Cam was one of the few pilots that the Browncoats actually had, and even more rare, he was one that survived.  Part of that was because he did have some legitimate skill at piloting smaller craft, though the most of the other part was because he frequently discovered "mechanical trouble" with his fighter (when they had fighters), or in his small cargo craft.  Sometimes, it was real, either caused by enemy fire, or just from the disrepair that the ships were kept in, but on other times, he was the sole survivor of a mission because he "found" something just before getting into the furball.  When Cam actually got into a fight, his craft were usually hooked up with something extra in terms of armament, which typically looked like a nuclear explosion going off.

Cam believed in the cause of independence, which is why he was out there in the first place, but he was all too aware of how short his life could become.  So, if there was a valid (or semi-valid) reason why he couldn't complete a mission or go into harm's way, frequently it wouldn't be done.  By the end of the war, the Browncoat command had made Cam almost exclusively a transport pilot, because they knew that he would take care of the cargo by way of taking care of himself, and because they couldn't trust him to take a fighter into a fight.

After the war, Cam drifted around like a lot of Browncoats, sometimes taking an odd job here, or becoming a temporary pilot on a small freighter.  He did enough to survive, but nothing ever came easy.  He can handle himself in a firefight, mainly by taking potshots from cover, and he's usually the one to escalate the fight if it actually comes to that, jumping behind a flipped table and tossing a grenade behind him. Cam will stay out of a fist fight as best as he can, however, and will look to escape by any means possible.  He won't leave his friends behind, but he'll go get the ship to make the getaway... or something like that.

Just before hooking up with the Musashi Maru, Cam was the pilot on a robbery gone wrong and when the police were on his tail, he tried to escape while leaving his compatriots on the ground.  Unfortunately, none of them escaped, though he was the one spared from going to prison, because Col. Green declined to press charges upon him for his part.  He did this because of their Browncoat ties, and because the Colonel thought that he had more use of him as a pilot than as a court case.  When Green sold the ship to [insert name here], just a few weeks later, Cam just stayed on as it still needed a pilot.

[NiceTexasGuy]

Everything looks good from here.

Great job so far, guys, and now I feel bad for not having my own character made up yet.  I suspect that could happen sometime tonight.

Niferbelle:  I don't want to appear to be ignoring your question, but I also don't want to come across as the person dictating what we do.  My thinking is that the series and the movie took place over a relatively short period of time.  (Didn't Mal state in the movie that Simon and River had been on board seven months?)  So, we could make it generally during the same time frame as the series.  As far as the Miranda Broadwave, that event would be more eventful to some than others.  Sure, the politicians are scrambling, and the media, the talking heads, the conspiracy theorists ("we told you so") ... but to the average person, I suspect it was "So, the government did something bad.  What's new?  Even more important, what's for breakfast?"  So, does everyone want to just go with "during the series"?  Pre-broadwave, post-broadwave, doesn't really matter that much I don't think, only we might start out "pre-wave" so at some point someone can say "did you catch the game last night? how about that pirate broadwave, huh?"

On the other hand, I'm up for whatever the majority wants.  Start at end of the war?  Or does someone want to play Mal and Inara's grandkid?  It's all good.

ShadowFox89:  If you're still interested, and the Colonel hopes you are (because of your character's purplebelly past in a world frequented by Independents) then hit me up via PM if you want so we can share ideas regarding your character coming into possession of the ship. 

================

Free-form vs. System:  I certainly don't disagree with Ruby in that some standards for character creation would be good.  I wouldn't have a problem playing some system game, only I don't know how to do that.  If someone does, and would like to take care of the technical aspects of the game, please speak up.  Otherwise, I did find ONLINE (yay!) some resources from the official Serenity RPG.  I think we can use this as a guideline for character creation.  Not take it so far as to role the dice to see if the mechanic can find the critical bolt he dropped down into the waste water holding tank, but to give us some general ideas of the characters' relative strengths and weaknesses.  ("You run faster, I'm the better shot, so you run out there and draw their fire so I can see where they are and shoot them.")

The resource for character generation gives the GM three options regarding how powerful the characters can be, titling them as greenhorns, veterans, or big damn heroes.  it can be found here: 

http://bakersfieldrpg.com/Serenity.aspx


(then click on Serenity RPG - Character Creation Rules). 

My proposal is this:

Attribute points:  I think we should start out with 50 points each to assign to character attributes (this falls between veteran and hero status.  Who wouldn't be happy with that?)  So, fifty points to be divided among the six attributes:  Strength, Agility, Vitality, Alertness, Intelligence, and Willpower.

Again, if it's freeform play, the numbers won't mean as much, since we're not rolling dice against the numbers.  It just forces us to employ some give and take so all our characters don't end up looking like me in real life, incredibly attractive, agile, strong, fast, intelligent, and talented in so many ways it boggles the mind.  No, that gets boring fast, which is why I'm on Elliquey to roleplay, so I can pretend to be someone with weaknesses.

Skill points:  Here's where I'd deviate from the rules, and base the skill points on character ages. I think that adds a touch of reality to the process. Let's face it, I know how to do more stuff now, and do some of it better, than I did ten years ago.  Yes, there are children who have more and better skills than me, but the charts would be too unwieldy, so here's my proposal:

For characters age 16 to 22, they get 62 skill points.
For characters age 23 to 29, they get 68 skill points.
For characters 30 and up, they get 74 skill points.

A list of skills is on bottom of the character creation rules page.  You're free to come up with your own skills, of course.

Worldly possessions:  Just let common sense be your guide.  If Ruby wants to go with the idea of being the Colonel's "actress" niece, she can bring along a trunk or two full of costumes, evening gowns, and stage props to rival Ginger from Gilligan's Island.  A recently discharged soldier wouldn't have accumulated much, since his space had been limited.  OR, maybe he did pick up a lot of stuff over the years, and it's all in storage somewhere.  A guy one step ahead of the law?  He would most likely be traveling light.

Also, the character's origins.  Someone who lived in Independent territory during the war would stand a better chance ending up with nothing (money or stuff) than someone from a core planet, so please keep this in mind.

The character generation process also involves picking assets (good things) and complications (bad things.)  It doesn't give examples, though.  I see this as something to do with the character him/her- self.  Such as a physical attribute (ambidextrous, but blind in one eye) or mental (good at math, bad speller) and not something external to the character (some people love him, some people want to kill him). I don't think the roleplay police will arrest anyone for doing this wrong, but doing it in the spirit in which it was intended should add some flavor to the game.  I especially like the idea of someone being frightened of (fill in the blank) and not wanting any of his or her shipmates to know, but that's just the sadistic GM in me saying that.

IN addition, you might also want to look at the "crew questionnaire" and the "3x3x3" pages.  I think it would also enhance the play to do this, and you don't have to share all the info with the other players.  I would like the person running the game (me, I think) to see your 3x3x3 responses, even if you don't have three of each, for seeding material.

Wow, that all sounds way more complicated than I intended, and I think it sounds more complicated than it really is.  All this really means is to divide 50 points between six attributes, pick some skills from a list (or make your own) which would fit your character's background and interests, then translate a bit of his or her history to paper (or in this case, electrons.)

[NiceTexasGuy]

To emphasize once again, this is not about crunching numbers ... it's just provided to assist us in developing characters and reading the other's characters at a glance.  Once we have sufficient interest and commitment, we'll set up a couple of threads, one for OOC chatter (where we can also repost the character profiles) and the other for IC play.

Please fill out the following for your character.  Note that things like strengths and weaknesses may or may not also appear in any narrative you write up, but are desired here for quick reference.  IF YOU WANT A WEAKNESS (or a strength) TO REMAIN SECRET, YOU DON'T HAVE TO LIST IT HERE.  You can list it and say it's a secret and everyone should role play as if their character didn't know, but.... if you don't want to take the chance, you can leave it out and just notify the GM.

Also, I added a spot for religious preference.  Religion did play a part in many people's lives in the series and the movie, so I think we should include some mention of it.  Most people were either Christian or Buddhist.  Your character doesn't have to be a good Christian or Buddhist, and it's okay if the person hasn't been to church since he left home, and it's okay to list Agnostic, Athiest, or Animist, but I'd like to keep a bit of balance to reflect the real world as it will exist in this version of the future.

Weapons.  Yeah, I know, throwing knives strapped to every wrist and ankle and a hidden pistol under your hat, right?  In the real world, a person might only suit up like that on special occasions.  When the fighting starts, the character will have only what he or she has or is within reach.  Since we're not going to be crunching numbers, we don't need to be too specific regarding weapons (though you can if you want to add flavor to the post.)  Basically, pistols come large (the kind you see strapped to the hip which double as  hammers) and small (concealed or not.)  Rifles come small caliber (for hunting rabbit), and large caliber (for deer and people) and rarely might include very large caliber (for hunting elephants and water buffalo.)  Specialty rifles include sniper rifles, and those capable of full automatic fire (think  "machine guns" - though technically there are differences.) 

Player: 
Character name: 
Home world: 
Position on ship: 
Usual occupation: 
Religion: 
STRENGTH =
AGILITY = 
VITALITY = 
ALERTNESS = 
INTELLIGENCE =
WILLPOWER = 
Strength(s) = 
Weakness(es) = 
Skills & skill levels for each = 
Weapons = 
Other possessions = 
Biography =
Other notes = 


A list of skills is provided for your convenience.  As stated before, you're free to make up skills not on the list:

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

Animal Handling = Animal training, Riding, Veterinary, zoology
Artistry = Appraisal, cooking, forgery, game design, painting, photography, poetry, sculpting,
writing
Athletics = Climbing, contortion, dodge, juggling, jumping, gymnastics, parachuting, parasailing,
pole vaulting, riding, running, swimming, weight lifting
Covert = Camouflage, disable devices, forgery, infiltration, open locks, sabotage, sleight of
hand, stealth, streetwise, surveillance
Craft = Architecture, blacksmithing, carpentry, cooking, leather working, metalworking,
pottery, sewing
Discipline = Concentration, interrogation, intimidation, leadership, mental resistance, morale
Guns = Assault rifles, energy weapons, grenade launchers, gun smithing, machine guns,
pistols, rifles, shotguns
Heavy Weapons = Artillery, catapults, demolitions, forward observer, mounted guns, repair heavy
weapons, rocket launchers, ship’s cannons, siege weapons
Influence = Administration, barter, bureaucracy, conversation, counseling, interrogation, intimidation, leadership, marketing, persuasion, politics, seduction, streetwise
Knowledge = Appraisal, cultures, history, law, literature, philosophy, religion, sports
Linguist* = Arabic, Armenian, French, German, Hindu, Japanese, Latin, Portuguese, Russian,
Tagalog, Swahili, Swedish, etc.  English and Chinese are assumed, so you don't need to spend points for those two languages.
Mechanical Engineering* = Create mechanical devices, machinery maintenance, mechanical repairs, fix mechanical security systems, plumbing
Medical Expertise* = Dentistry, forensics, general practice, genetics, internal medicine, neurology,
pharmaceuticals, physiology, psychiatry, rehabilitation, surgery, toxicology, veterinary medicine
Melee Weapon Combat  =  Clubs, knives, melee weapon smithing, nunchaku, pole arms, swords, whips
Perception = Deduction, empathy, gambling, hearing, intuition, investigation, read lips, search,
sight, smell, tactics, taste, tracking
Performance  =  Acting, dancing, costuming, keyboard instruments, impersonation, mimicry, oratory,
percussion instruments, singing, stringed instruments, wind instruments
Pilot* =  Aerial navigation, astrogation, astronomy, astrophysics, space survival, specific types
of vehicle (gunships, hang gliders, helicopters, large cruisers, mid‐bulk transports,
patrol vessels, rocket shuttles, ultra‐light aircraft, short range shuttles, etc.)
Planetary Vehicles = Aquatic navigation, cars, canoes, equestrian, ground vehicle repair, horse‐drawn
conveyances, hovercraft, industrial vehicles, land navigation, large ground transports, military combat vehicles, powerboats, sailing, scooters, scuba diving, skiffs, submarines, yachts
Ranged Weapons  =  Blowguns, bows, crossbows, darts, grenade, javelin, ranged weapon smithing, slings, throwing axes, throwing knives
Scientific Expertise* = Earth sciences, historical sciences, life sciences, mathematical sciences
Survival = Aerial survival, aquatic survival, general navigation, land survival, nature, space
survival, specific environment survival (Zero‐G, desert, jungle, etc.),specific condition
survival (cold, heat, toxic, etc),tracking, trapping
Technical Engineering* = Communication systems, computer programming, hacking, create/alter technical devices, demolitions, electronics, technical repair, technical security systems
Unarmed Combat = Boxing, brawling, judo, karate, kung fu, savate, wrestling

[Niferbelle]

I'll get my butt in gear and put together a character sheet soon. What I'm thinking though is somebody from the shady side of the fence who's trying to turn over a new leaf. I'm also thinking she would make a good first officer so the captain and I may want to work out how that came about.

And understood about the time frame, Texas. Thanks for getting back to me! Having it set about the same time as the series to movie sounds good to me if it's good with everyone else.

[NiceTexasGuy]

Player:  NiceTexasGuy
Character name:    Thaddeus Bartholomew Green ("Bart" to his friends, and affectionately "Colonel Bart" to his troops)   
Gender:   Male
Age:   65
Home world:   
Position on ship:    Owner (non-resident)
Usual occupation:    Shipping
Religion:    Christian - protestant

STRENGTH =   7
AGILITY =  4
VITALITY =  4
ALERTNESS =  10
INTELLIGENCE = 13
WILLPOWER =  13

Strength(s) =    Business owner, respected community leader.
Weakness(es) =  Overall health generally failing.

Skills & skill levels for each = 

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

Pilot- transports - 5
Riding - 2
Zoology - 2
Streetwise - 2
Intimidation - 6
Leadership - 8
Pistol - 2
Shotgun - 2
Forward observer - 2
Administration - 14
Barter - 10
Marketing - 4
Persuasion - 7
Cultures - 2
History - 1
Law - 2
Politics - 7
Sword - 1
Tactics - 5
Mechanical repairs - 4
Veterinary medicine - 1
Performance - guitar - 5
Land survival - 2
Brawling - 2

Weapons =  Along with a variety of weapons in his safe, he carries a small concealable pistol in a vest pocket, and has another in a desk drawer.  Two swords hang on the wall behind his desk, and a hunting shotgun is on display next to the swords.
Other possessions =    n/a
Biography =   Born on a ranch, he started his own business at age 12, repairing junk farm and ranch equipment.  At 17 he left home to explore the 'verse, as a cargo hand on a transport ship.  Col. Green served in the war (the Independents, of course) and is owner of a transport business which was significantly devestated during the war.  He has spent the past few years building it back up, and has recently begun slowly selling off some of his assets.  (See below for a more complete biography.)
Other notes = 


Thaddeus Bartholomew Green ("Bart" to his friends, and affectionately "Colonel Bart" to his troops) was born on the planet Shadow to a hard boiled ranch forman and a very religious mother.  In his youth, he developed a fondness for collecting insects, playing the guitar, and dreams of interplanetary travel.  He started to show promise as a businessman when he was only 12, when he would charge business owners to haul off obsolete or broken farm and ranch equipment, repair what was salvageable, and resell it.  When he was 17, he left home to fulfill his dream of exploring the 'verse as a cargo hand on a transport ship.  For a short while he apprenticed as a ship's mechanic, but a planetside incident in which he salvaged a huge deal gone wrong brought him to the attention of the company's owner, who soon made the 22 year old a business manager in the company office.

When he was 25, Bart convinced his boss to sell him a damaged ship to repair and start his own freelance cargo operation on the side.  He began by contracting work with his boss' company.  Ten years later, he was married to the boss' daughter (Cynthia) and buying out his father-in-law's business.  It was a happy marriage and life was good, until his bride passed away, a victim of one of many diseases which had been unknown on Earth that was, attributed to the effects of terraforming.  Green then threw himself into his work, building up his business, establishing himself as a leader in the community, and eventually becoming a power broker in planetary politics.

When war came, he was on the fence politically.  Knowing the Alliance had the industrial might to eventually overcome the Independents, he urged his fellow leaders to continue seeking a political solution.  Nontheless, when the shooting started, he did the right thing and assumed his role as Colonel of the local Militia forces.  He also threw the full weight of his business enterprise into the cause.  While half his ships continued to function as interplanetary cargo carriers (after all, a nation needs an economy to survive) the other half of his ships were militarized and functioned as part of the "browncoat" Navy.

Col. Green's regiment and his business were devastated by the war, as most of those on the losing side were.  All his assets were "seized" at the end of the war.  The Colonel successfully negotiated the release of his few surviving ships and with the tattered remnants of his regiment, resumed building up his business.  He realized it would never be like it was in the old days, before the war, and that his health was beginning to fail.  It was to be expected -- the hardships of the war, the hunger, the weeks on end of exposure to weather extremes, the psychological strain of seeing long time friends wounded and killed.  Or dying of disease, just as his beloved wife had. 

Now determined to live out his final days as comfortably and peacefully as possible, he has begun selling off some of his company's assets ... his goal to eventually be free of the business altogether and enjoy his final days doing absolutely nothing. 

Or is it?

[Niferbelle]

Player:  Niferbelle
Character name:  Christabel Lao (answers to 'Lao' or 'Bel')
Age: 30
Home world: Ariel
Position on ship: First Officer
Usual occupation:  Ex-Criminal
Religion: Atheist

STRENGTH = 6
AGILITY = 8
VITALITY = 7
ALERTNESS = 10
INTELLIGENCE = 9
WILLPOWER = 10

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

Strength(s) = Underworld Contacts, Attractive
Weakness(es) = Bum Leg, Wanted

Skills & skill levels for each
Streetwise  12
Stealth 4
Disable devices 6
Kung fu 10
Search 8
Pistols 6
Mental resistance 10
Communication Systems 6
Technical Security Systems 6
Leadership 2

Weapons = various pistols, an assault rifle she breaks out every now and then but it usually just stays in her bunk, her hands and feet
Other possessions = fake ID to get her past run of the mill checkpoints, an encryption code and frequency where she can always get a hold of Chang, tool kit for 'specialty' work, otherwise just normal clothes and gear
Biography = Bel doesn't say much about where she came from but when she isn't careful you'll find her talking proper enough to be from the Core Worlds. Whatever occurred. she obviously went wrong somewhere  as she spent several years with Chang the Hun's crew -- a pirate with a fearsome reputation throughout the Black but who's also known out in the rim as something of a Robin Hood-- and most figure she must have hooked up with him young. But she's not going to talk about that much either except to say that she tired of the life and that Chang let her go with his blessing. She's content now to make a mostly legitimate living aboard ship though she isn't above treading in some gray areas if it benefits the crew. There are probably only one or two aboard ship who know anything of her history to the rest she's an enigma.

Other notes = Bel wasn't so prominent in Chang's fleet that most Alliance officers would recognize her on sight but if she was ever picked up and run through the system, she'd definitely be arrested. She has scars on the left side of her body, looks like shrapnel maybe, and walks with a limp in her left leg when she's tired or been exerting herself. Seems like the kind of injury that will get worse with age. Chang has a few rivals who might take a go at her if they had the chance but Chang's reputation is serious enough that most of them know better and like their heads right where they're at.

[NiceTexasGuy]

N-belle, looks great.  You can work out with the Captain how Bel came to be First Officer, or we can say she came with the ship when he made the deal with the Colonel.  If it is the later case, we can work out the details via PM.

For everyone else, you can feel free to play out or conspire via PM's how your characters met and came to be on the ship.

Also, feedback on the character generation idea is appreciated.  I thought it helped me focus in on who my character is, but if you have other ideas or ideas of how to tweek the current process, feel free to chime in.

I realize some may think the process is getting too drawn out, but please stick with it, and we'll have the IC thread up and running soon.

For now, we should probably shift over to the OOC thread to discuss characters.  It is found here: 

https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?board=340.0

(I titled it "Back in the Black" but don't know how to do that thing where I can make it link to the name.)

[Niferbelle]

I'm glad Bel passes muster  :-) I was ok with the character generation. I play freefirn pretty much exclusively but having some guidelines in the generation process is a fair enough way to make sure everyone's characters are balanced out but happy not to be rolling dice later.

[Kaya]

Hi all,

I would also be highly interested in playing. I hope you still have room for one more. My character idea would be best described as a cross between Inara and River. But have a look for yourself if you like.

I have chosen not to hide anything from the other players, trusting that we all can roleplay well enough.

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

Player:  Kaya

Character name:  Rui "Angel" Wai Mun

Age: 18

Gender: female

Home world:  Ariel

Position on ship:  Registered Companion

Usual occupation:  Companioning

Religion:  Budhist

STRENGTH = 4
AGILITY =  10
VITALITY =  6
ALERTNESS =  10
INTELLIGENCE = 8
WILLPOWER =  12

Strength(s)
Allure
Angel is physically very attractive. When she desires companionship she generally doesn’t need to look far. Not only is she good-looking, but she knows how to make her looks work for her in most situations. Only rarely does her shwie appearance attract the wrong sort of attention. Benefit: With Allure, she gains a +2 step Skill die bonus on all actions keyed to appearance, such as: seduction, negotiation, persuasion, or winning beauty pageants.
Reader
Her mind is open to the thoughts and emotions of folk nearby.
Amazing Healing
As a side effect of her reader power, Angel heals much faster than normal. She also does not get scars from injuries (provided she survives).

Weakness(es)
Credo
Angel does not talk about her clients and keeps up the Companion Guild's rules to the letter.
Memorable
People tend to remember Angel. She can't easily blend with a crowd.
Weird Sexuality
While Angel can be perfectly normal (and she is most of the time), she has two things which spark her interest: a) Turning boys to men (being their first) and b) weird roleplays, also including pain and bloodletting.

Skills & skill levels for each

Conversation 4
Intuition 10
Kung Fu 10
Perception Sight 4
Persuation 10
Pilot Shuttle 6
Seduction 12
Singing 6

Weapons =  none

Other possessions

- Jewelry collection: Mostly gifts from clients, but Angel likes to show that she is doing well.
- Companion Material (tea sets etc.), Licence, Cortex access
- An extensive collection of Companion-style clothing (mainly in the Indian style). Angel likes to wear Cholis to long skirts which mostly are cut in at least one place to allow movement and show off her legs. These are examples of Cholis:


Biography = Angel's father was a Chinese man while her mother was half Japanese / half Italian. Angel was their only child, and she still remembers her parents as being truly loving and caring to her. But, as a child, she had no idea what her parents were doing for a living, that is, she didn't understand it. She was able to read their thoughts, but of course she had no idea what a Triad was. She was just four years old when her parents were killed in a shootout with local law enforcement, and Angel remembers to this day how her mother was gunned down while she tried to protect her child.

That experience made the young girl shut down completely, and social services thought she must be mentally weak and put her into an orphanage. She grew up there, making not many friends, because she was so introverted. But she was still able to read the thoughts of people around her, and she knew who wanted her best and who wanted something else. She never told anyone though, having realized that this ability is not something everyone posessed.

At the age of 12 it was becoming clear that Angel would grow up to be an astonishingly beautiful woman, and she got lucky, because a local companion house discovered her when she was playing by herself on the street. The companion made a considerable donation to the orphanage, and Angel was released to her care and brought into the companion house to see if the girl can become a companion herself. Within one year Angel's whole lookout on life changed, she opened up to others (still keeping her secret though) and learned a lot.

When the education focused more on the services a companion provided, Angel quickly showed an amazing talent. Mainly because she could tune in to a partner and know exactly what that partner wanted, but also because she had a natural skill at seduction. Her beauty which was blossoming fully now did not do any harm either. So she became one of the youngest registered companions ever, being released from training and taken on as a full guild member when she was 16.

Due to the trauma she suffered early in life she had developed a liking for the darker parts of companion service, and a few months back there was an accident involving a high government official. That official died while he was with Angel, and while the appointment has been kept secret, Angel thought it better to leave the central planets for a while. So she made her way towards the outer rim.

I am very open to suggestions from the GM or other players, so please do not hesitate.

[NiceTexasGuy]

Kaya, it looks like an awesome job of creating a character for the Firefly universe.  Thanks for your interest and for helping to make me feel like my feeble attempts at trying a "system" for character creation can work.

As you can see, there are several players who have already expressed an interest in playing.  The challenge in something like this is to maintain enough interest in enough people long enough to get something organized and underway.  At the same time, the original idea was to keep the number small and the game flowing.  I'm not sure where we stand now with several people who said they were interested.

My plan is to PM everyone with questions, suggestions, etc, as appropriate to gauge interest and work out the final details.  This in itself could take several days, awaiting responses and tweeking the relationships.

As for your character, Kaya, I have a couple of concerns.

First, I think she's absolutely perfect... which can be a problem if she's too perfect.  You probably read my little rant earlier about how we don't need a companion, but we can certainly have one if we want.  And, it's been established that "readers" exist in the Firefly universe as well.  However, as useful as it might be in real life, I think that may be a bit much for this game.  Maybe a Companion who isn't a reader, or a reader who in all other respects looks like a down-and-out vagrant?  I don't know, don't let me tell you what to play, but I think she's too perfect.

I welcome other peoples opinions too, of course.  If everyone tells me I'm full of **** then I'll accept that.  It isn't my game, it's our game, and I'm just the guy trying to keep us pointed in the right direction.

Also, her strengths and weaknesses.  I don't really see being a good companion as a weakness, for one thing.  I can see where it would limit her options in some cases, but that's like having large muscles won't allow a guy to reach into a small gap between walls.  It may be a limitation, but it's certainly not weakness.

Also, I don't know about the "amazing healing" aspect.  Medical science being what it is (or will be) I'm sure there will be ointments which will prevent scarring from minor lacerations and such.

Also (and this isn't just directed at you, Kaya) is I think there's a natural tendency when creating a Firefly character to fill him or her full of angst.  Sure, there's crime, there was a war, etc, so it's to be expected.  But at the same time, what fun is a ship full of emo characters?

One final thought.  IF there ends up being so much interest that we have nine or ten people wanting to play, might we be interested in two ships, two IC threads, and some occasional interaction between the two groups?

[Primarch]

I'll get that mechanic up tomorrow.

[Kaya]

First, I think she's absolutely perfect... which can be a problem if she's too perfect.  You probably read my little rant earlier about how we don't need a companion, but we can certainly have one if we want.  And, it's been established that "readers" exist in the Firefly universe as well.  However, as useful as it might be in real life, I think that may be a bit much for this game.  Maybe a Companion who isn't a reader, or a reader who in all other respects looks like a down-and-out vagrant?  I don't know, don't let me tell you what to play, but I think she's too perfect.

Nobody is too perfect, if you ask me. And it would not make too much sense if everyone is broken, does it? I personally like the mixture of Inara and River, but of course it is your game. Did you think about the fact that being a reader is not all positive? Remember the blue gloves? I don't think that she is too perfect.

Also, her strengths and weaknesses.  I don't really see being a good companion as a weakness, for one thing.  I can see where it would limit her options in some cases, but that's like having large muscles won't allow a guy to reach into a small gap between walls.  It may be a limitation, but it's certainly not weakness.

I'm guessing you are talking about her credo? That is a disadvantage from the Serenity game, which I thought you would be using? I agree that it is not that big of a deal.

Also, I don't know about the "amazing healing" aspect.  Medical science being what it is (or will be) I'm sure there will be ointments which will prevent scarring from minor lacerations and such.

I'm not insisting on that. That was just an idea to make it easier for her in the game.

Also (and this isn't just directed at you, Kaya) is I think there's a natural tendency when creating a Firefly character to fill him or her full of angst.  Sure, there's crime, there was a war, etc, so it's to be expected.  But at the same time, what fun is a ship full of emo characters?

I don't see Angel as being "full of angst". Where did you get that from?

[NiceTexasGuy]

Kaya, without breaking down each point individually, let me just address them in a more general fashion.

First, everything I said was meant to be a genuine compliment, because I love your character.  Too perfect?  Maybe not.  Too awesome?  Maybe that's what I meant.  Beauty, Companion Training, and being a reader ... that's a person with some power.  I just see a character that if someone wanted to play her in a certain way, she would be way too awesome for everyone else to hold a candle to.  Maybe you plan to play her differently than what I think a lot of people would.  Voices in her head at inconvenient times?  Reliving her parent's deaths each time she sees a drop of blood, yet she keeps on cutting?  That could make for some interesting times.

As I said, it's our game, not my game ... I'm just trying to do my part to keep it balanced, but I'm not perfect, so I welcome other opinions.

Maybe "angst" wasn't the right word, and it certainly wasn't directed at you, but I just see a lot of characters having to deal with the darker side of their personalities.  It may not be unrealistic for a lot of people to have deeply seated emotional issues stemming from war or the murder of ones parents, I guess what I was trying to get at is that I'm also looking for the lighter, more fun side of the play as well as the nitty gritty darker stories.

To use the series as an example, surely Mal had "issues" from the war, but we still saw him laughing and playing practical jokes on people.  Zoe was with Mal the whole time, yet she didn't seem as "troubled".  Meanwhile, we had other characters on the ship who weren't dealing with the same sort of issues.  Wash was the comic relief who had no war stories to tell (one source suggests he was a military pilot captured very early on in the war, so missed all the fighting) and Simon missed the war altogether, his biggest problem growing up seemed to be being a good son and big brother in an idyllic family.  (That, and maybe he couldn't talk to girls?)

I think it made a good mix ... probably much better than if the entire crew was made up of Mal's old army buddies.   Maybe that's what I was trying to get across, in light of the general propensity to make a character who's seen too much drama (and yes, I did the exact same thing to my character, I know.)

So, I'm not saying you need to change her history, it's just food for thought for all of us.  In fact, I'm thinking of tweeking my character to make him someone whose militia regiment was relegated to some backwater theater who never saw any significant action.

Also, I wanted to point out that I don't think we're using the official Serenity game, it was just a resource I found online to help with the character generation process.  I can see how having the credo can be seen as a disadvantage, my mind was just looking at it from a different direction.  Again, it's not like we're too worried about the numbers, it's just a tool. 

[NiceTexasGuy]

I realize everyone has a life outside Elliquiy, so don't think I'm trying to rush anyone  (it took me two days longer than I said it would to make my own character profile, right?)  I'm just trying to keep things moving so we don't end up losing everyone from lack of interest.

So, I'm of the impression this is where we are now with players and their characters:

====================================================

The "Required" characters with a more or less completed character profile:

NiceTexasGuy = The Colonel - the aging owner with health problems who is trying to sell off some assets, including the Firefly class transport Musashi Maru.

Teke = Cameron "Cam" Wynn - The Pilot - quasi-cowardly former Browncoat military pilot whose protocol in a crisis is (1) difuse the situation with humor, or (2) blow something up.

Primarch = Chase Spencer - The Mechanic - on the run with a price on his head

--------------------------------------------

Required position still pending info:

ShadowFox89 - The Captain, a former Alliance soldier who is living proof it isn't just the Independents who suffered from the war.

---------------------------------

Other crew/passengers who have submitted profiles:

Niferbelle = Christabel Lao (answers to 'Lao' or 'Bel') - (former criminal) streetwise First Officer with some technical aptitude and all the right contacts for the wrong kind of work - If ShadowFox decides not to play, maybe she can be captain.

RubySlippers = (Kaylyn Beautroix?) - Are you interested in playing an eccentric actress niece and chief cook?

Kaya = Rui "Angel" Wai Mun - A Registered Companion - Possibly with some tweeking of the character pending?

-------------------------

Others who have expressed interest -- Please let me know if you're still interested.  Crew? Or perhaps you'd like to test the waters as a passenger?  Please feel free to let us know.

Capone

--------------------------

Anyone else?  Anyone?  Bueller?  Bueller?

[Teke]

Ok, first, thank you for that awesome description of Cam.  That was indeed what I was going for.  Step 1: Tell Joke. Step 2:? Step 3: Profit! Step 4: Blow it up.

Also, I am trying to be the comic relief, so others can have their drama.  I'm sure I can get some in there too, maybe my old crime buddies or some old soldiers, but for teh most part I'll cause trouble, not bring it.

As for Kaya's character, while I do think that she indeed might be a little too... overpowered would be my word, much like Ruby's initial character(or rather, still standing character).  I mean, she's a registered companion AND a reader.  That pretty much could be the definition. However, with her backstory she could very well be the most wanted person in the whole 'Verse, if Kaya is willing to change a couple things. So, Kaya, see what you think of these.
1. The accident was not covered up, and instead she is being actively hunted for the man's murder.
2. The Alliance's secret military does know she is a reader, and either was already secretly using her as a spy(she doesn't know), or want to bring her in to use as one.

Also, I would hope that at somepoint, or repeatedly, she takes on customers whose minds she reads contain either really good or really bad news concerning the ship or crew, but because of that credo, she won't tell them, and instead probably tries to take care of it herself, which may lead her into trouble and needing to be saved.

Also, it could be interesting when she has another "accident" involving a high profile person in the outer worlds, and we have to somehow dispose of the body and get away from someone because of it.

Last thing, if she is JUST getting outside of the core, she will have absolutely no contacts out in the black, so she's not going to be all that good until she starts making contacts and getting referrals.

Just some thoughts!

[NiceTexasGuy]

Teke, thanks for that input.  I like the idea about the dilemma of knowing those thoughts and not being able to tell anyone, trying to do it all herself.  I guess my mind is too limited.  And, I realize we don't want to plot everything out in advance, but I like that idea.  Kaya? 

I neglected to mention that it seems like a lot of people on the crew are going to be wanted by the law.  I wonder if we might want to limit that to just Chase Spencer  having any serious charges against him. 

Maybe the charges the authorities have on Bel aren't that serious (or rather, not something they can make stick?) but they want to arrest her and make a deal hoping to turn her against Chang.

Without looking back at his profile, is Cam also wanted?  That would obviously be a case of mistaken identity, lol.

But yeah, if Angel is wanted too, we might want to make her the last of the wanted persons on board.

[Teke]

Cam is free and clear because I decided that your char took a liking to his Browncoatedness and gave him a "legitimate" job on the Maru as opposed to sending him to jail for a failed heist on one of the Col's shipments.  All laughs and explosions here!

[Kaya]

As for Kaya's character, while I do think that she indeed might be a little too... overpowered would be my word, much like Ruby's initial character(or rather, still standing character).  I mean, she's a registered companion AND a reader.  That pretty much could be the definition. However, with her backstory she could very well be the most wanted person in the whole 'Verse, if Kaya is willing to change a couple things. So, Kaya, see what you think of these.
1. The accident was not covered up, and instead she is being actively hunted for the man's murder.
2. The Alliance's secret military does know she is a reader, and either was already secretly using her as a spy(she doesn't know), or want to bring her in to use as one.

Overpowered? Little old me? *bats eyelashes* ;-)

But seriously, i like option 2 more. Being 'officially' wanted for murder could put a serious dent in Angel's business affairs after all, and if there are already other wanted people on board, adding one more would not be good - unless we never want to land.

I like option 2 because that means Angel would have no idea about that, and if the Alliance makes a move, it would come completely out of the blue for her (pun intended, remember the blue gloves?).

Also, I would hope that at somepoint, or repeatedly, she takes on customers whose minds she reads contain either really good or really bad news concerning the ship or crew, but because of that credo, she won't tell them, and instead probably tries to take care of it herself, which may lead her into trouble and needing to be saved.

It's not that she would say nothing at all, she might try to carefully influence a decision. If that gets ignored though, she would try to take things into her own hands. I really like that idea!

By the way, Angel would not tell the crew about her being able to read minds - for obvious reasons. That might happen at some stage, if she is able to fully trust someone, but even then it would be hard for her to share that secret.

Also, it could be interesting when she has another "accident" involving a high profile person in the outer worlds, and we have to somehow dispose of the body and get away from someone because of it.

Last thing, if she is JUST getting outside of the core, she will have absolutely no contacts out in the black, so she's not going to be all that good until she starts making contacts and getting referrals.

Just some thoughts!

Yes, all of that is good and true, and would make for some interesting roleplay. Thanks, Teke! :-)

[NiceTexasGuy]

How would she be getting referrals or doing business by electronic means if she's wanted?

[Teke]

First, thank you Kaya for your acceptance of my ideas, I try!  ;D

As for her getting work while wanted, I think that then leads to the secret military storyline better.  She was able to slip out of the core and maybe now she has to change her name, but they don't know where she is, so even though she stand out, they're not hot on her trail.

[NiceTexasGuy]

edit:  I totally misread something there while being distracted in real life.

[Niferbelle]

Maybe the charges the authorities have on Bel aren't that serious (or rather, not something they can make stick?) but they want to arrest her and make a deal hoping to turn her against Chang.

I'm in line with this. She never would have been one doing the worst, most of what she did with the pirates was in a support capacity so there isn't anything too serious they could pin on her. Mainly she'd be wanted for being a known associate of Chang's and as a possible way to get to him.

[Capone]

Ah, just browsed through here and saw you noted my name above.

I will currently not be part of this game. Sorry.

[lore]

I think I might throw together an app for a surly doc with a good heart but a bedside manner that leaves something to be desired.

[Teke]

I think I might throw together an app for a surly doc with a good heart but a bedside manner that leaves something to be desired.

Well there's the other half of the "We don't need to have a doc and a companion!"  Seriously though, welcome aboard.  Can she be the stereotypical surly doc that's always drunk on whiskey?

Please can we have a mission based entirely and only on finding her more whiskey?!?  And can Cam blow it up? Puleeeeeze?

[Niferbelle]

By the way, I would rather not be captain. I would take it if necessary bit certainly if anyone else out there wants the role, go for it! And a surly doctor sounds fun!

[Kaya]

How would she be getting referrals or doing business by electronic means if she's wanted?

I'd prefer if she was not officially wanted.

As for her getting work while wanted, I think that then leads to the secret military storyline better.  She was able to slip out of the core and maybe now she has to change her name, but they don't know where she is, so even though she stand out, they're not hot on her trail.

That would be a possibility, but then she would know that there is someone looking for her. The other option would be that she has no idea about that at all. Which do you prefer?

[ShadowFox89]

By the way, I would rather not be captain. I would take it if necessary bit certainly if anyone else out there wants the role, go for it! And a surly doctor sounds fun!

I'm still debating joining this or not >.>

But if I do, I'll be sending in my captain idea.

[Niferbelle]

I'm glad you're still thinking about it, Shadowfox  :-)

[NiceTexasGuy]

At this time, I'd like to move all the discussion out of the interest thread of the roleplays wanted section to the "Back in the Black" OOC thread in the human light groups area, found here:  https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=126838.0

Can everyone who hasn't already done so repost their "final answer" (or at least the latest version) of their characters there, and in SF's and lore's case, their first versions if and when they're ready?

Anyone who hasn't expressed an interest in playing can still pipe in with an idea, but still want to play, you're free to ask, but keep in mind we're trying to keep the group small.

Thanks everybody.

[lore]

FRAAAAA lost my app as I was posting it. I will rewrite tomorrow and post in the proper new thread. Apologies.

[Primarch]

Player: Primarch
Character name: Chase Spencer 
Home world: 
Position on ship: Mechanic
Usual occupation: Mechanic/Criminal
Religion: Christian
STRENGTH = 10
AGILITY = 6
VITALITY = 6
ALERTNESS =  8
INTELLIGENCE = 10
WILLPOWER = 10
Strength(s) = Fightin' Type, Intimidatin' Manner, Mean Left Hook, Tough as Nails, Steady Calm
Weakness(es) = Amorous, Deadly Enemy (Feds/Cops), Hooked (Smokes), Credo (Never rat, I don't know nothing about nothing and I never heard about anything), Dead Broke
Skills & skill levels for each =

Mechanical Repairs 14
Mechanical Maintenance 10
Brawling 8
Shotguns 8
Intimidation 6
Athletics 6
Forgery 5
Law 5
Hacking 5
Computer Programming 5

Weapons = Chase makes routine use of brass knuckles and a pair of sawn-off shotguns.
Other possessions = Chase doesn't have a coin to his name but he's got all the tools he needs to keep a ship flying which keeps him employed, so maybe one day he'll have some coins to rub together. When not on the ship he tends to wear a duster coat with a kevlar inner lining. 
Biography = Chase comes from out of those settlements way out where local folk take care of one another. Its also the kind of place where just about every is involved in crime of some kind, be it just skimming a little something off the side or keeping the local authorities sweet with something nice. Chase started out as a farmhand who turned mechanic in his teenage years. On the books he was a legit mechanic's apprentice, off the books he was involved in a chop shop, gun running and protection. Things were going real smooth for a long time until one job went more south then folk were comfortable with. A Fed man ended up dead and the gun belonged to Chase. There wasn't anything about it. Him being around would bring too much heat in on a town that didn't need outside eyes looking at it.

Chase took his leave and has been doing what he can to get by ever since. He can keep your boat flying and tend to its needs, he'll have your back in a gun fight and there ain't a bar brawl in all the Verse he ain't at home in.
Other notes =