Marv is Finarvyn, the board administrator; our hero for the herculean and (at times) sisyphean task he performs in keeping the place running and happy.
I PM'd Finarvyn, hence thgenee thread has been transferred here. I've also sent a couple of e-mails to some previous HE players whose contact info I could find.
Its time to provide folks with some more information about want I'm planning to run, if the vox pupuli really clamors for something different we will see what can be done. Feel free to make any comments or pose any questions you wish.
SettingThe game will start on a mining planet near the outer edge of
Ketyel House Thurd space, within Humanspace, somewhat distant from the Core Worlds but not so isolated as to be a backwater. The local Tech Level is Mixed. The place is an almost planetary-scale hive of scum and villainy nearing ecological collapse due to careless resource exploitation techniques.
The PCsThe party will be a band of troubleshooters trying to make some CR and a name for themselves. They have recently banded together and are seeking a worthwhile patron. Think "Traveller". The party may start with a ship depending on what Social Classes are represented within it.
Recently, one of the PCs obtained a local contact that passed along the information a potential employer would be present on a certain bar at a certain night. A certain code-phrase was provided so that the party may identify themselves on location.
The party has no idea what job the potential employer is offering, but it is almost assuredly to be something not fully within the bounds of the law.
Character CreationNormal by-the-book chargen as per HE Revised Playtest, which the following changes:
For
Ability Scores roll 3d6 in order, but re-roll any die with a value of "1" until you obtain a 2 or more. Thus the lowest possible ability score will be 6.
My
Social Class Table will be in use.
After you finish generating a 1st Level character, roll 1d20 and multiply that by 100. Your PC begins with that many experience points. If that puts him at Level 2 go trough the leveling up process.
We will be using the honor system for chargen to speed things up. I don't need to see each step and dice roll.
Every PC in the party should have a
Connection with at least one other PC. Nothing too fancy is needed, a "we studied together back at the Academy" will do fine. But this way there will be no absolute strangers within the party when we start. We can leave the establishment of connections until all PCs have been generated.
A description or picture and msone of two paragraphs of Background for a PC would be appreciated. There's no need to write a saga, just enough to help the GM and other players visualize your PC.
If your stuck in coming up with a proper-sounding name I recommend either the Tsolyani Name Generator
www.weirdrealm.com/tekumel/words.html or Prof. Barker's "Tsolyani Names Without Tears" from Dragon Magazine nbr. 31. The article is available of PDF at Tekumel.com or I can e-mail you a copy.
RacesWhatever you want, including Drune's creations found outside the HE book such as the Sandmen of Canopus 4.
If you want to play a non-human you can lower an Ability Score that is above the limit for that species.
PM me if you want to play a mutant with Mutant Future powers, this will require some
ad hoc GM rulings depending on what you roll.
EquipmentAnything on the HE book you wish and your character can afford is available. Primitive weapons can be bought using Labyrinth Lord prices, just change GP to CR.
My new Armor article isn't ready yet but I will be posting the stats for a few new available suits. Remember not all armor is adequate or legal in every occasion and location. It is a good idea for Warriors to have more than one model of armor available.
Every PC will have a few changes of normal clothing adequate for his social class. Citizens and those of higher station will have Imperial Identification Papers proving their status.
Unusual or unique personal items not on the rules will need to be paid for and will be dealt on a case by case basis.
RetainersPCs can begin the game with retainers, limited by CHA. These come in various kinds.
Anyone can own
Slaves except if they are a slave themselves. Slaves do not count to the CHA retainer limit number and cost nothing to maintain except for food. Their prices are as follows:
Servant boy or girl --- 150 CR
Untrained Prole (bearer, servant, etc) --- 200 CR
(*)Trained Slave --- 1,000 CR
Trainable man-at-arms (1st level Warrior) --- (1d4+1) x 1,000 CR
Psychic or Super-Scientific Powers (1st level only) --- (2d4+2) x 1,000 CR
Non-Humans (friendly races only) cost double
(*) - a trained slave costs 1,000 CR per each Background Skill he has
For animal followers and pets assume a cost of (1d4 x CR 100) x hit points. Basic robots cost (1d2 x CR 1000) x hit points and a Yeleth or advanced robot costs (1d2 x CR 5000) x hit points.
Hirelings are 0-level locals that can be hired as laborers (1d6 HP) or extra muscle (1d8 HP) on a standard-month basis for 1d100 CR each. They are common enough that they can be hired in-game with a day or two of effort.
Retainers are 1st level classed NPCs or non-classed specialists with positive modifiers on Background Skills.
The salary of a skilled non-combatant retainer (pilot, doctor, mechanic, etc) will vary depending on the type of skill (Basic, Technical, Expert) and its modifier. A warrior will demand a salary of 1d100+100 CR monthly plus room & board.
1st Level PCs can only have 0-level hirelings and retainers, 2nd level PCs can hire 1st NPC retainers too. Note that only PCs of Citizen Social Class or above can hire retainers, until they attain citizenship they are limited to slaves, hirelings, pets and robots.
Hirelings and retainers come with their own equipment (determined by the GM in collaboration with the player), slaves have only the shirts on their back, or maybe not even that.
Fighting hirelings and retainers get 1/2 an experience share of combat encounters in which they participate and survive.
House RulesThere will likely be a few of these but they won't affect character generation beyond what I have explained here. I will be posting them later.