I know Ogre from a long time ago, we employed him to catch a few people for the Family. He's reliable and he's offered me work far away from home. It's the only thing I've got going so I've got to make it work. On this backwater is where I can start restoring everything I've lost...
Lorimer tries to bring in his first bounty in the start as Starforged action kicks off. Plus creating a sector for the game.
Following on from the RPG Intro and Char Gen.
Starforged solo - intro | start | partway | finish | all season 3 | all rolling solo
Disclosure - I'm a DriveThru RPG affiliate
Starting with Starforged
starforged thoughts | solo tools | sector creation | starting scenes | chars
Adding to initial intro of Starforged.
Playing Starforged is familiar. Like playing Ironsworn with a few refinements and updates. But in a space setting.
I didn't get into combat as I was trying to get my first vow fulfilled so I could get on with the rest of my adventure. I'm happy the Battle move exists so that fights can be reduced down. I'm happy playing out combat but this time I had other priorities.
My priority was to get my first Vow out of the way, as I wanted to get Lorimer his first bounty in and get his Bounty Hunter status in. Then the story could begin for me in earnest.
Identifying which parts of the story you want to focus is part of playing solo. Sometimes it's exploring the game, wherever it takes you. And other times you have far more of an idea of where you want it to go.
I expect the next part of the story will be exploring where Lorimer (and Greaves) have come from and what's around them. Using the Tarot Cards to help.
My biggest disappointment so far was that so much time was spent on setup. With the Truths, Character Generation and Sector Creation there's a fair amount to get to before getting into the play. This can be great, especially if you want (or need) the context to get your first scene(s) and not get stuck.
I like all of the bits, but when I start next time, I'd probably do one or two truths and create the Character. Then I'd probably swear my first vow and after that create my first settlement. Then probably create the Sector after my first one or two scenes and revisit the other Truths.
Solo Tools - Tarot Cards
starforged thoughts | solo tools | sector creation | starting scenes | chars
Following on from Solo Tools notes.
I've used the Tarot a couple of times, using a two-card draw with the second card reversed. Once for Lorimer's first vision, and the second to give an idea of who the Mystic they were pursuing is.
I usually play offline, but the tarot guide with my cards isn't very useful, having a one-word description for each card. So I spent some time online finding better card interpretations.
So next thing is to print out or find an offline tarot interpretation guide to use.
I've decided to tie Lorimer's Seer ability to when he swears an iron vow, with maybe new visions if he manages to fulfil a vision.
I'll be using the Tarot cards for more visions, getting an idea of any major new NPCs or existing ones. Such as the other bounty hunter who has yet to turn up and a bit more about Greaves.
Sector Creation
starforged thoughts | solo tools | sector creation | starting scenes | chars
After creating your Truths and Character, Starforged has a section where you create the starting Sector for your game.
Supported by random tables, you select the area of the Forge and outline 2-4 settlements there. You also have the option of creating planets and stars related to orbital or planetside settlements. Then there's drawing a simple map (like the one below).
The Onyx Sanctum (Terminus Region)
With Settlements of...
- Angharad (Deep Space, population of 1000s, Oppressive, activities of Hunting and Command)
- Greater Molton (Planetside, population of 1000s, Corrupt Authority, Migration and Shipbuilding)
- Planet of Moltonia Segundus (Ice World) around a Smouldering Red Star
- Welkin (Planetside, population of 100s, Oppressive, Expansion)
- Planet of Rowan (Vital World) around a Young Star
- Eventide (Orbital, population of few, Tolerant, Research)
- Planet of Scour Prime (Tainted World) around a Corrupted Star
Moltonia Segundus
In the next part, you focus on one settlement to be a starting point for your adventure.
Moltonia Segundus is an ice world, orbiting a smouldering red star. From space you can make out a foul creature and frozen oceans which disguise subsurface liquid oceans. It has a marginal atmosphere. The lone major settlement of Greater Moltonia is built in a precarious location under the oceans, built from scrap metal of wrecked starships and other. It's main industry is shipbuilding, fusing together wrecks from under the ocean and other scrap brought in by any cargo haulers. Many have migrated here to work in the workshops. The corrupt authorities care little for conditions on the settlement, but worry as the supplies of wrecks appear to be drying up (keywords break + supply).
Ogre, Bounty Hunter
In this settlement is a connection that you make as if a Strong Hit result of the Make a Connection move had been rolled. During character creation, I'd decided that Lorimer had been asked to help bring down a fugitive mystic. So this was the bounty hunter. I kept the details at a minimum, happy to discover them through play.
"Ogre" is an experienced bounty hunter who wishes to spread his faith through the Onyx Sanctum. He's addicted to an unknown habit and is creative. His home is in Welkin but his bounties take him all over the sector. (Rank - Dangerous)
Sector Trouble
The final part is to create a sector trouble, which for us is Factions on Brink of War. Which I filled out using the Faction Oracles. More details to add in play.
The established dominion group of the Onyx Sanctum is the Stellar Coalition, scattered across several planets. They have a varied leadership and are trying to obtain a needed commodity. They are in conflict with a fringe group, a group of raiders known as the Legion of the Elder Swarm, attempting to break the cohesion of the coalition (from oracle result disrupt operations).
Adventures of Lorimer and Greaves
starforged thoughts | solo tools | sector creation | starting scenes | chars
The viewpoint character is Lorimer.
Scene 1 - A Vow to Ogre
I know Ogre from a long time ago, we employed him to catch a few people for the Family. He's reliable and he's offered me work far away from home. It's the only thing I've got going so I've got to make it work. On this backwater is where I can start restoring everything I've lost...
Ogre's a big man, wearing armour covered in strange patterns. He wants Lorimer to swear an iron vow to show he's got his back.
Move - Swear A Vow, Troublesome Vow, Weak Hit, (Momentum 3)
Lorimer takes the chunk of iron his ancestor bore from one an ancient ship of the Exudos, and swears...
"I will bring in the mystic Bloodshot Asha, Dead or Alive"
And Ogre knows that Bloodshot is in one of the spaceport bars of Greater Moltonia, just not which one...
(I also used Lorimer's Seer ability to have a vision, using two tarot cards. I drew the Six of Swords and the Four of Swords (Reversed).
Scene 2 - Bar Surfing
As I swore my vow to Ogre, a vision came to me of two groups of silhouettes trying to make a deal. One shakes their head and leaves, filled with another purpose. I've always had such vision when swearing my vows, but for too long now I've ignore them. Maybe I can make sense of this...
Lorimer splits with Ogre to trawl the bars. There's an unsettled atmosphere as many are here, searching for work. Greaves faithfully accompanies Lorimer.
Move - Gather Information, Weak Hit (Momentum 4)
The Green Ship is a confusion of mismatched junk from all over the Forge. Lorimer spots their target, flanked by a couple of hired guards. Greaves points out someone else watching the mystic. A shabby, weathered, warrior with the look a bounty hunter.
Ogre meets them and they decide a busy bar isn't the best place to challenge a powerful mystic. Ogre does take the opportunity to get some Azure Kickers, a bubbly blue energy drink he's hooked to. While they plan a little.
Move - Secure an Advantage, Strong Hit (Momentum 6, +1 to next move)
Lorimer manages to get a map of the area and mingle with other drinkers. The talk is of the Sunworm, a huge creature on the planet surface, now breaking through the ice and heading slowly towards Greater Moltonia.
Now they wait for their target to move...
(I drew two tarot cards to get an idea of the Mystic. The results were XI - Justice and the Nine of Pentacles (Reversed). Bloodshot Asha wears formal robes of a religious position among the Seekers. Her eyes are ringed with red patterns. She carries a box with glowing patterns, a puzzle box containing access to a precursor vault)
Scene 3 - Engaging the Target
Ogre isn't someone I'd normally work with, but these aren't normal times. If I see this through I can become a licensed Bounty Hunter myself and become someone again. It's useful to know he's still addicted to that strange blue drink. I prefer other ways to boost energy.
Bloodshot and her protectors leave bar, heading to (oracle - ruined, boundary) a derelict area on the edge of the settlement. Lorimer and Ogre attempt to get close to the group for an ambush.
Move - Face Danger, Strong Hit with a Match (Momentum - 7)
Lorimer and Ogre creep through the wreckage and get close. Lorimer a glowing box that Bloodshot is holding and recognises it. One his Family had been after, that gave access to a precursor vault that shapes those who enter it.
He takes time to study maps they have of area, putting Greaves and Ogre in position to spring their ambush.
Move - Secure an Advantage, Miss.
Their maps are out of date, and don't mention the unstable floor that Greaves falls through, trapping him. And alerting their targets.
Move - Battle, Miss
The ensuing gunfight is brief, as Bloodshot and her guards retreat, leaving a wounded Ogre with a ruined leg. Lorimer has to tell the bounty hunter he'll go it alone.
Move - Test Relationship, Weak Hit (Momentum 6)
Lorimer is delayed as he rescues Greaves and makes sure Ogre is okay, taking him to a medical facility.
Scene 4 - Taking Action Outside of the Contract
Bloodshot seemed to sense we were coming. I guess a mystic having mystic senses is just part of the deal when hunting them. Luckily Greaves can smell the energies she uses. Greaves can find people wherever they hide
Greaves has a sense of where Bloodshot has gone, somewhere else on-planet. They get to the Trinket and pursue her. Lorimer has visions of silhouettes with form of Bloodshot and Ogre, in negotiation. Know's he has to try something different with Bloodshot.
Move - Face Danger, Use Seer ability for a Strong Hit (Momentum 7)
Catches up with Bloodshot, who has landed her ship on an ice shelf. Signals that he wants to make a deal and the two talk.
Move - Compel, Miss but Burn Momentum for a Weak Hit (Momentum 2)
Agree that Lorimer will take her into the authorities, but she has the resources to fight them in the courts there. Lorimer will take the artifact and try to uncover it's secrets and share his findings. If things align, they may even seek out the vault it leads to together...
But Lorimer must swear a vow to her...
"I Swear to Uncover the Secrets of the Cube and Share What I Fund"
Move - Swear a Vow, Weak Hit (Momentum 3)
He's going to need to find an expert who knows more about Precursor tech. And Asha is sending someone with him.
He takes Asha to the Stellar Coalition on Greater Molton, informing Ogre that he's caught their target.
Move - Fulfil a Vow (take in Bloodshot Asha), Strong Hit
Lorimer hands her in, completing his first Bounty and ready to consider his next move...
Next Expected Scene - Meet an Expert, Meet a New Companion.
Character and Notes
starforged thoughts | solo tools | sector creation | starting scenes | chars
Still just the one character, going it alone(-ish) to become famous.
Lorimer
Once a feared man of power and standing, guided by powerful visions. After a time he veered from those visions, spending widely and freely, until nothing was left. Banished by his Family after bringing them ruin, he now seek to understand his visions again, and reclaim the status he once had.
He's tall and solid, with a metallic arm covered in writhing runes. He holds himself with a stubborn pride, but his battered appearance tell of harder times.
Edge 1, Heart 2, Iron 3, Shadow 1, Wits 2
Assets - Augmented (arm), Seer, Sidekick (Greaves), Starship
Starship - The Trinket (inherited from Grandfather, strange symbols scrawled on deck and bulkheads of main corridor)
Greaves (Health 4) - A servant who has stayed with him through rise and fall, they are an expert in finding people.
Health 5, Spirit 5, Supply 5, Momentum +2
Vows
- Restore my status as head of my Family (Epic)
Connections and Extras
- "Ogre" Bounty Hunter (Dangerous - bond 4/10), Spread faith, addicted to Azure Kickers, a bubbly blue energy drink. Creative, large and amour covered in self-made patterns.
- Bloodshot Asha - Powerful Mystic, Greedy, Integrity, Materialistic, Rep for Honesty, Spiritual Leader, Stolen a Precursor Artifact, Bounty on her, People want her advice.
- Rival Bounty Hunter after Bloodshot Asha. A shabby, weathered, warrior with the look a bounty hunter.
- Faction - Stellar Coalition, scattered across several planets. They have a varied leadership and are trying to obtain a needed commodity. They are in conflict with the Legion of the Elder Swarm.
- Faction - Legion of the Elder Swarm, a fringe group, a group of raiders known as the Legion of the Elder Swarm, attempting to break the cohesion of the coalition.
Finishing Up
Let's see if they survive their first escapade. And if their rival turns up...
