Shadow of the Broker, Modular Campaign

[verdantsf 600]

One of the reasons why Pathfinder Society dominates in my area, both IRL and online, is the ability for people to participate as their schedules allow, while continuing to play and progress with the characters they love.  A major shortfall for other RPGs is how dependent games are on single campaigns.  If one falls apart, players have to find a new campaign, losing all the time and xp they gained with their characters.

 

I’d like to start a modular, shared campaign, where multiple GMs and players can come together via Google+ and Roll20 and continue progress in a series of mostly one-shot, occasionally sequential adventures.  It would be awesome to take a break as a player or GM, then pick up where you left off!

 

Here’s my idea of a hook to unify the disparate adventures and players:

 

You have been contacted by the infamous Broker.  No one knows the Broker’s species, gender, or ultimate goals. He or she relies on “independent contractors” to handle things from artifact heists to spice runs. With contracts targeting the interests of Black Sun, the Zann Consortium, several Hutts, and even the Empire, there are rumors that the Broker is a Rebel sympathizer.  However, there is only one thing known for certain.  The Broker always pays when jobs are completed.

 

The basic idea is that the Broker supplies several PCs with a job, who come together for one session to complete that contract. The Broker provides a ship on loan and basic supplies.  Once the contract is completed, the PCs go their separate ways, though many will (hopefully) cross paths again on future jobs with the Broker.  To give an incentive for players to step up and GM on occasion, each time they do so, they’ll receive xp for the adventure as if they played along with a 5xp bonus they can apply to a character of their choice.  If interested, let me know!  I’d like to run a first adventure tomorrow, Monday 9/15, 5:30pm Pacific (timing can be flexible if there are enough East Coasters that need an earlier start).

 

The Mists of Myrkr

 

The Broker has an interest in two species found on the planet Myrkr, the vornskr and the ysalamiri. The coevolution of predator and prey created unique adaptations with regards to the Force. A mated pair of each would be rewarded well. Unfortunately, the Zann Consortium has already made inroads on the planet. Disrupting their operations, while not the main concern, would certainly be viewed favorably, as well...

 

Starting build rules are standard first adventure xp.  All races and careers allowed from all three sourcebooks and official supplementary materials.  The sourcebook your career is from dictates your starting resource (Obligation, Duty, Morality), but you may also add any combination of the other two. Taking more than one resource gives no mechanical benefit, but if it suits your rp concept, feel free.  Obligation starts at a default of 10, which can be increased to a max of 20.  Duty starts at 15 and can be reduced to 5.  

 

If interested, please join the SWRPG Google Community, then click on the event.

Edited November 11, 2014 by verdantsf

[ayures 37]

Sounds like someone has been playing Mass Effect.

I like this idea, though.

[verdantsf 600]

Heh, yup! I almost said "Shadow Broker," then remembered the name of the DLC. Still, I had to slip the homage in there somehow!

[ayures 37]

Heh, yup! I almost said "Shadow Broker," then remembered the name of the DLC. Still, I had to slip the homage in there somehow!

 

I'm assuming she'll turn out to be a blue Nautolan as well.

Anyway, I'll be watching that group and I'll try to join in if a session fits my schedule.

[Daeglan 4,528]

Could be reskinned as a Rebel pulling teams together for different tasks. 

[verdantsf 600]

Who knows?  It might be!  However, I want to keep that up in the air to allow the rowdy folks of Edge of the Empire to join in while remaining neutral in the Galactic Civil War.

[Daeglan 4,528]

I meant use a similar idea in Age as well. In fact you could also do it for F&D. 
Basically create 3 of them and allow one to join up in different ones based on preference. What book the character is from doesn't matter. You just join missions based on the style of game you want to play. Maybe you want to be the smuggler in a Force and destiny game. Maybe you want to be a force user in an edge game. Maybe you want to hop between them

[Daeglan 4,528]

What are the starting build rules?

[verdantsf 600]

Good point!  I just added the starting build rules to the original post.

Edited September 15, 2014 by verdantsf

[N4n0 63]

Very interesting! Please, post the reports of your sessions! I believe many, I included, want to do something similar and much can be learned from your experiences.

Also, there is is a order 66 episode about episodic adventures which can provide good tips.

[rowdyoctopus 1,408]

I'm interested in joining up with this, but I'm in CST and have 2 weeks left on a 3rd shift job. I'd have to leave for work 90 min in if it starts at 5:30 PST. I'll keep my eyes out for other times and such.

[verdantsf 600]

Depending on where the bulk of interested players are and their time constraints, I can be flexible.  I've got the week off .  What if this started at 3pm PDT?

Edited September 15, 2014 by verdantsf

[evileeyore 451]

My schedule is solidly booked in the afternoon/evenings for the next "some time".

But I'll watch the Google Community and try to engage as I can.

[verdantsf 600]

Had a great time running this adventure! The team included a Human Pilot, Human Niman Disciple, Bothan Saboteur, Human Doctor, and last but not least, a Drall Scientist, short in stature, but a true colossus of intellect! 

 

 

I really wish that Hangouts recorded the UI and Roll20 maps so that clip viewers could see the actual gameplay, rather than just hear it.  Also, the jukebox sounds I played in the background didn't really come through .  Ah well.  Still, it's great how well Google Hangouts and Roll20 work together and I really appreciate the ability to play "tabletop" online!

Edited September 16, 2014 by verdantsf

[Daeglan 4,528]

I have used roll20 and hang outs all the time. what do you mean the UI didn't come through? It has worked everytime we have used it in our games

[verdantsf 600]

Oh, I meant that the broadcast doesn't pick up the UI that appears while we're actually playing the game. Everyone playing could see everything fine.  I just wish Hangouts actually recorded all the dice rolls and token moves .  I'll clarify my earlier post now.

Edited September 16, 2014 by verdantsf

[rowdyoctopus 1,408]

Depending on where the bulk of interested players are and their time constraints, I can be flexible.  I've got the week off .  What if this started at 3pm PDT?

Normal day, 3 pm PST would have worked great! I had obligations though this Monday. Once my new job starts in 2 weeks I'll be much more flexible.

[Sizzlechest 1]

Great session

[OggDude 3,496]

You in the Bay Area, verdant?

[verdantsf 600]

Yup!

[verdantsf 600]

Next pick-up game is Friday, 9/19, 5:30pm PDT:

 

Pride and Piracy

 

The Hidden Dagger pirates of the Corellian sector serve as a regional counterbalance to both the Binayre pirates allied with Black Sun and the Hutt Cartel.  Unbeknownst to most, the pirate gang is on the verge of collapse, split between the forces of Captain Elise and Captain Darson. 

 

On the eve of a pirate summit hosted by Captain Nym of the Lok Revenants, both factions of the Hidden Daggers agree to temporarily put aside their differences.  Honor among thieves only goes so far, with one ship per gang allowed at the gathering.  Unwilling to trust each other’s crews, Captains Elise and Darson turn to the Broker for a capable, neutral contingent to safely escort them.  However, treachery abounds, as many have much to gain by sundering the Hidden Daggers…

 

Starting build rules are standard first adventure xp.  All races and careers allowed from all three sourcebooks and and official supplementary materials.  If you played in the previous pick-up game, Mists of Myrkr, include the 24xp gained in that adventure when joining this one .  So far two roles have been taken, pilot and doctor, but if you really want to play either type, let me know and we'll work something out!

 

If interested, please join the SWRPG Google Community, then click on the event.

Edited September 20, 2014 by verdantsf

[Daeglan 4,528]

I would be more interested in a knight level pick up game...as I don't really want yo slog through stuff just to get up in level.

[verdantsf 600]

Yar, matey!  Personal preferences be the spice o' life!  

 

(I didn't even plan it this way, but I'm running a pirate-themed adventure on International Talk Like a Pirate Day!) 

Edited September 19, 2014 by verdantsf

[verdantsf 600]

Just finished the 2nd adventure! 

 

Pride and Piracy

 

Here are some highlights:

 

Jokan the Human Pilot spotted a sniper laser bead on an NPC, pushed him out of the way, and took the blast. After getting patched up, he went on to perform some impressive maneuvers, flying through asteroid fields and keeping the crew's ship one step ahead of the opposition.

 

Balken the Drall Scientist once again blew everyone away with the sheer breadth of his knowledge, from hacking into ship transponders to knowing the quickest way to fix a broken hyperdrive system.

 

Shaan the Human Niman Disciple made overtures to revealing his Force sensitivity to the rest of the crew. He took an important step in his quest to unlock the mysteries of the Force, gaining a damaged lightsaber crystal.

 

Canavan the Klatooinian sniper showed an enemy sniper how it was done, then proved he was no slouch with ship guns either, shooting multiple ships out of the sky that attempted to pursue the crew.

 

Meanwhile, Jasper the Human Doctor (and GM character) tried not to waste too many stimpacks due to his addiction to painkillers, and did a passable job at keeping the crew patched up .

 

Together, they thwarted a pirate conspiracy, spoiled the Empire's privateer plans, and helped two rival captains discover their true feelings for each other in this adventure loosely based on Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice."

Edited September 20, 2014 by verdantsf

[OggDude 3,496]

So, are you going to be publishing these adventures you're doing?  They sound like a great resource for people who want to run one-shots, or even for inclusion in existing campaigns.