STAR TREK FATE Notes on a Roleplaying Adaptation by Aaron M. Sturgill Version Version 2013.02.09 For personal use only. No copyright infringement intended.
CONTENTS . Introduction
03 .
. Setting
04 .
. Characters
06 .
. Away Missions
17 .
. Starship Operations
20 .
. Starship Combat
24 .
. Stories
32 .
. Miscellaneous Ideas
34 .
. Appendix A: Sample Characters Characters
37 .
. Appendix B: Sample Starships
40 .
INTRODUCTION December, 2012. It’s It’s almost Cristmas !or te en" o# te $orl", "e%en"ing on $o you tal& to', an" te Fate Core (ic&starter (ic&starter is in #ull s$ing. s$ing. )ea"ing te %re*ie$ +D is getting a lot o# %eo%le e-cite". Concurrently, my $i#e starte" $atcing Deep Space Nine , re&in"ling my li#elong lo*e #or !nearly' all tings Trek. I’m e-cite" to see $at as%ects an" #ate %oints $ill bring to te Trek uni*erse. uni*erse. Maybe $e can tac&le some o# te issues tat ma&e ene )o""enberr )o""enberry’ y’ss *ision so "i##icult to com%el at te gaming g aming table.
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Experience with the t he setting. setting. I $ill not ma&e any e##ort to e-%lain e-%lain te conce%ts conce%ts o# Star Trek. I# you’re you’re rea"ing tis, I’ll assume you alrea"y a*e a %assion #or te setting, an" $ant to see o$ it migt $or& $it Fate . Experience with the system. I# you "on’t "on’t &no$ &no$ about Fate , tis isn’t isn’t te %lace % lace to start. star t. Starfleet and the UFP. I# you $ant to %lay %ri*ateers %ri*ateers,, tere are oter settings tat %robably "o it better. better. In my o%inion, Star#leet an" te e"eration e"eration are cornerstones o# te setting/ tey re%resent an i"eology i"eology o# %rogress an" an" inclusion inclusion a sare" goal o# $or&ing $or&ing togeter to a""ress %roblems #rom an enligtene" %ers%ecti*e. %ers%ecti*e. Aliens an" outcasts are *itally *itally im%ortant but i# being on te #ringes o# society is $at brings you to te table, $ell tat’s tat’s $y o" ma"e Firefly . A storytelling stor ytelling bent. is "ocument re%resents an e##ort to use te Fate engine engine to tell stories in te Star Trek uni*erse. nless I’m $ay o## te mar&, Fate isn’t isn’t %articularly suite" to ac&4an"4slas, min4ma-, rules4la$yering, or similarly %e"antic %laying styles.
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SETTING Time Frame and Tone Star Trek is more tan one ting. It can be cam%y, or sel#4serious5 com%elling, or bloate"5 blan"ly morose, or #ull o# t$o4#iste", t$o4#iste", #our4color action. Many o# tese traits are strongly embo"ie" $itin $itin in"i*i"ual 6generations’ o# te #rancise. #rancise.
Coosing te $en an" $ere o# your Star Trek story says a lot about te tone tat you’re a#ter. •
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The Original Series (and its related films) embrace" embrace" a sense sense o#
$on"er an" e-uberance e-uberance at e-%loring te "e%ts o# s%ace an" te uman s%irit. Ca%tain (ir& coul" %unc an"7or &iss a #emale su%%orting caracter $itout blin&ing an eye, an" Dr. McCoy coul" ma&e "erisi*e comments about Vulcans $ile *oicing sel#4 rigteous %latitu"es, %latitu"es, all $it a com%lete absence o# irony. irony. I also got te im%ression tat tere $asn’t $asn’t a lot o# %a%er$or& associate" $it #iring te %oton tor%e"oes. tor%e"oes. The Next Generation $as a %roce"ural $it $it a strong sense o# res%onsibility an" enligtene" etics. +icar" $as te strong #ater #igure, Data te marionette and $un"er&in" $un"er&in" !not 8esley' $o ser*e" to remin" us o# our #railty an" brilliance. brilliance. 8en gi*ing te or"er to ire,: ire,: you coul" see te $eigt o# te gala-y on +icar"’s +icar"’s !or )i&er’s' #ace. Deep Space Space Nine ma"e e*eryting more con#licte". con# licte". Sis&o nurse" a gru"ge gru"g e against +icar" an", by by association, te rest rest o# Star#leet. ;is best #rien" became a traitor, traitor, an" is son a $riter !gas%'. DS9 ga*e us te Car"assians !s%ace
a?orans !s%ace @e$s', @e$s', te Dominion 8ar, 8ar, Section 31, an" a sense o# e%ic, seriali=e" narrati*e %re*iously #oreign to Star Trek. Enterprise %resente" te baby ste%s o# a yout#ul, o%timistic, o%timistic, %re4 %re4 e"eration art, as it attem%te" to come to gri%s g ri%s $it te %olitics o# ol"er s%ace4#aring races suc as te Vulcans, Vulcans, (lingons, (lingons, an" Bin"i.
sce$ing any %ersonal o%inions on its $riting, acting, etc., I "on’t #eel tat Voyager a""e" anyting "istincti*e in te $ay o# setting or tone.
Maing a !etting I’m betting you "on’t $ant to a*e your caracters on anyting name" Enterprise , DS9 , or Voyager . I# you "o, you’ll en" u% eiter %laying secon" #i""le to te establise" caracters, or %ussy#ooting aroun" tem to a*e your o$n a"*entures in te margins. ou !te M' or te grou% as a $ole soul" come to some consensus about your setting. e setting $ill a*e a lot to "o $it te starsi%, installation, etc. to $ic te +Cs are assigne". ;ere are some i"eas to get you going. •
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A starship on an ongoing mission o# e-%loration at te e"ge o# &no$n s%ace. A patrol ship, assigne" to &ee% $atc o*er a con#licte" area o# s%ace !e.g., te )omulan or (lingon
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CHARACTERS As mentione" in te intro"uction, Star#leet is ta&en as a gi*en. ou’ll %robably $ant your stories to re*ol*e aroun" te bri"ge o# a starsi%, or te o%erations center o# a starbase or out%ost. *en i# tat’s not tat case say, te trou%e is a team o# s%ecial o%erati*es on co*ert assignment "ee% in Car"assian territory te structure o# Star#leet is still in %lay.
Roles "#pstairs$ %ownstairs& FetGs tal& about $at te caracters "o/ since te stories $ill %retty muc ta&e %lace on !a' te bri"ge or !b' an a$ay mission !to a %lanet, s%ace station, etc.', youGll $ant to ma&e sure tat eac %layer as someting to "o. $o o%tions a*e come u% in our %lay tests/ •
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ac %layer creates t$o caracters/ one #or te bri"ge, one #or a$ay missions. Ma&e sure your caracter as a $i"e range o# s&ills an" interests !not ?ust mecanical s!ills ' so tat se can be an asset in a *ariety o# situations.
+ersonally, I %re#er te latter o%tion. In any gi*en Trek e%iso"e, itGs not "i##icult to come u% $it a reason to get e*erybo"y on te %lanet !Sulu is su""enly goo" at botanyH'. IGm not a big #an o# %layers a*ing t$o caracters, e*en in a system as sim%le as Fate Core 5 o$e*er, IG*e a" %layers $o canGt seem to "o $itout, so tere you go.
Aspe'ts 8en assembling te #i*e as%ects %rescribe" by Fate Core , consi"er using te #ollo$ing structure #or ins%iration. I# it "oesnGt #it your conce%t, #orget it. • • • • •
"igh #oncept $roble #hildhood Academy %ast Assignment
ese as%ects can an" soul" be use" #or s%ecies "istinctions, co*ere" in4 "e%t on %. BB.
!ills e "e#ault s&ill list in Fate Core is an e-cellent starting %oint #or any setting. e e-tensi*e selection in Diaspora , $ile inten"e" #or gritty, ar" sci #i, $as my oter main ins%iration. I’*e attem%te" to streamline tese into someting cinematic an" accessible, $ile %ro*i"ing enoug o%tions tat tere soul"n’t be muc o*erla% in +C s%ecialties. se te %yrami" meto" outline" in ate Core/ one s&ill at J, t$o at 3, tree at 2, an" #our at 1.
!tar(leet Training ;a*ing gone troug te rigors o# te Aca"emy, Star#leet o##icers %ossess an im%ressi*ely broa" base o# abilities !es%ecially tose "ealing $it s%ace tra*el'. or instance, it’s sa#e to assume tat any cre$ member as VA at 1, e*en i# te caracter "oesn’t a*e te s&ill liste". Ms/ "on’t ma&e too big a "eal o# tis, but be generous $en %layers $ant teir caracters to be com%etent $it stu## li&e Com%uters an" Communications5 let tem roll at 1 instea" o# 0.
Skill List 1. . ". &. ). *. +. -. /. 10. 11. 1. 1". 1&. 1). 1*. 1+. 1-. 1/. 0. 1. . ". &. ). *. +. -.
Athletics Combat: Brawl ! Melee Combat: #nergy ! $ro%ectile Command'(eadership Communications Computers ! Sensors ,eceit ,iplomacy'apport #mpathy #ngineering'epair #spionage #A 2istory ! Cultures Intimidation In3estigation Medical 4a3igation 4otice $hysi5ue $ilot $lanetary ehicles $ilot Spacecra6t $ro6ession 7choice8 esources Sciences Stealth'Snea9 Sur3i3al actical ;ill
!ill %es'riptions Athletics& K*erall %ysical agility an" control. K#ten use" #or "o"ging. #ombat& 'rawl elee& Martial arts an" arme" combat !blunt, bla"es, etc.'. #ombat& Energy Pro*ectile& All #irearms !%asers L energy $ea%ons, as $ell as ancient slug tro$ers'. #ommand %eadership& 8at it ta&es to $ear te gol" !or re"' sirt. Moti*ating %eo%le, an" $or&ing $it te cain o# comman". #ommnications& Subs%ace an" stan"ar" comm. systems. Co"es an" ci%ers, t$ea&ing te ni*ersal ranslator, etc. #ompters Sensors& Ma&ing te most out o# "ata storage an" transmission. Also, utili=ing *arious sensor eEui%ment an" inter%reting "ata. !se tis s&ill #or a"*ance" tricor"er o%erations.' +eceit& ##ecti*ely mislea"ing oters !an" "etecting $en tey’re "oing it to you'. +iplomacy,-apport& stablising %ositi*e relations $it oters, es%ecially across a battle#iel"7*ie$screen7negotiating table. Empathy& )elating to oters5 sensing moti*es an" moo"s. !A classic coice #or certain racially4s%eci#ic abilities.' Engineering -epair& A"*ance" &no$le"ge o# starsi% "esign an" maintenance, inclu"ing %ro%ulsion teory !at ig le*els'. Espionage& Co*ert intelligence on a galactic scale. Also burglary, etc. EA& K%erations in lo$ gra*ity. "istory #ltres& Catc4all #or galactic istory, arceology, antro%ology, an" cultural %luralism. /ntimidation& Feaning on an in#ormant, etc. /nvestigation& etting to te bottom o# tings.
edical& irst ai" at lo$ le*els5 "octor status aroun" J. Inclu"es alien %ysiology, but a%%ly "i##iculty i# treating an uncommon s%ecies. 0avigation& Fan", sea, air an" s%ace tra*el. Does not im%ly te same ran& in +iloting !a%%ly "i##iculty i# use" as suc'. 0otice& S%ot i""en5 "iscern realities. Physi1e& >o"ily stur"iness. se" to calculate "amage ca%acity !%ysical stress bo-es5 see Fate Core , %. BB'. Pilot Planetary ehicles& Fan", sea an" air. !se tis s&ill i# %iloting a s%acecra#t $itin an atmos%ere, or a%%ly "i##iculty.' Pilot Spacecraft& igters, suttles, runabouts, #reigters, #rigates, starsi%s, battle cruisers you name it. Profession 2choice3& De#ine your o$n %ersonal e-%ertise, an" $at it’s use#ul #or !sub?ect to grou% an"7or M consensus'. -esorces& Material $ealt5 bartering strengt !uncommon #or Star#leet o##icers'. Sciences& All brances, inclu"ing -enobiology, $ar% teory, astrometrics, etc. May "e#ine s%ecialty, or lea*e broa". Stealth Snea!& etting in an" out Euietly. Srvival& Doing $itout te com#orts o# a starsi%/ unting L gatering, #irst ai", %lant lore, cra#ting selter, etc. $actical& actics an" $ea%ons systems5 %rimarily use" in starsi% combat. K#ten inclu"es on4boar" security o%erations. 4ill& Strengt o# resol*e. se" to calculate mental stress ca%acity !mental stress bo-es5 see Fate Core , %. BB'.
Alien !pe'ies or better or $orse, many Star Trek aliens are ?ust bum%y #oreea"s $it a ea*y4an"e" allegorical social structure. In tis case, no mecanical canges are necessary sim%ly tro$ in some setting as%ects suc as Matriarcal ;ierarcy, or Con"ones Sla*ery on )acial roun"s, or someting o# tat nature. ;o$e*er, some s%ecies !es%ecially tose suitable as +Cs' are "istinguise" #rom te uman GnormG by certain s%ecial abilities or %re"ilections. !K# course, tere are e-ce%tions to e*ery racial stereoty%e e*en in Star Trek, so "onGt #eel too boun" to tese.' Kb*ious e-am%les/ • • • • •
lcans& Logical Nature an" Telepathy !ind !eld" 5lingons& #arrior Spirit an" $onor%&ound Society 'a*orans& Spiritually De'out -omlans& De'ious and Sinister Ferengi& (rofit !oti'e
An", te list goes on. In te s%irit o# Fate , I belie*e tere are t$o $ays to an"le s%ecies "istinctions/ aspects an" stnts.
Aspe'ts As $e &no$, caracter as%ects e-ist to %romote com%etence !in*o&e #or 2 bonus or re4roll', %ro*i"e o%%osition or con#lict !com%el to gain a #ate %oint', an" %ro*i"e #lags #or role%laying an" narrati*e. S%ea&ing to Ms an" %layers/ i# you #eel tat a s%eciesG "istinct attribute!s' can be bot !a' summari=e" e##ecti*ely an" !b' re%resente" su##iciently $itin te system by using a sim%le as%ect, ten ?ust use tat. ou can incor%orate tis into any o# te #i*e caracter as%ects !ig conce%t, trouble, cil"oo", aca"emy, or last assignment' altoug, %era%s te #irst tree $or& best.
Alien Traits as Aspects (Example )ou*re 'reating a ulcan !tar(leet o((i'er + a woman w,o ,olds strongly to ,er people*s tradition o( logi'. As a ,at-tip to ommander !po' ,imsel($ you de'ide to 'all t,is aspe't Logic Dictates. /,i', aspe't slot does t,is (ill )ou de'ide t,at t,is is simply part o( w,o s,e is$ not ,er primary de(ining ',ara'teristi' + so$ you opt (or t,is as ,er childhood aspect . T,e des'ription o( ,er ',ild,ood s,ould now in'lude some details on ,ow s,e was nurtured in an enironment t,at taug,t ,er t,is trait.
0ote& IG" %robably use te cil"oo" as%ect most o#ten #or s%ecies4 s%eci#ic as%ects. I# you "e#ine it as your ig conce%t, te caracter migt turn out to be a cartoonis caricature o# tat s%ecies. I# you "e#ine it as te trouble, ten it coul" be seen as "emeaning. !Altoug, >elanna orresG trouble as%ect $as %robably At War With the Warrior Spirit , $ic $as #airly com%elling so, maybe ignore my a"*ice.'
!tunts Stunts can be use" instea" o#, or in a""ition to, as%ects #or "e%icting s%ecies traits. o reiterate, #rom Fate Core / stunts enance te abilities o# s%eci#ic s&ills in or"er to "i##erentiate caractersG abilities. I# you $is to re%resent a trait $it a stunt, be sure you #irst select its %arent s&ill "uring caracter creation. .g., i# you $ant your VulcanGs Min" Mel" to be a stunt, you must #irst ta&e te m%aty s&ill. Kr, i# you en*ision a (lingonGs 8arrior S%irit as a stunt, #irst ta&e Combat/ >ra$l L Melee. As $it all stunts, te %recise "etails are u% to you, your M, an" your grou% as a $ole.
;ereGs a list o# stunts a*ailable to certain s%ecies. Consi"er tese a*ailable an" recommen"e" i# your caracter claims ancestry #rom tat race. e cost o# stunts still a%%lies/ ta&e one #or #ree5 #or eac a""itional stunt, subtract one #rom your re#res o# #ate %oints. !our M may "eci"e to ma&e one or more s%ecies4relate" stunts #ree not sub?ect to te abo*e re#res cost.'
Alien Traits as St!nts (Examples
· Warrior Spirit (Combat: Brawl & Melee): ain 2 to omat5 rawl Melee rolls w,en using traditional 8lingon weapons "at*let,$ me*let,$ et'.&. · Honor-Bound Society (Intimidation $ Investigation $ or Notice): 2 to sill roll w,en any opposing ',ara'ter is using %e'eit.
ulcan
· Logic Dictates (Intimidation $ Investigation $ Notice$ or Will): 2 to sill roll w,en logi'al prin'iples 'an e applied$ or w,en an opponent is ',allenging your intelle't.
Andorian
· Honor-Bound Society (Intimidation, Investigation, or Notice): 2 to sill roll w,en any opposing ',ara'ter is using %e'eit.
Ba%oran
· Spiritually Devout (Will or Empat!): 2 to sill roll w,en you 'all upon t,e 9rop,ets or re'all sa'red trut,s.
=erengi
· Profit Motive ("eceit or #eso$rces): 2 to all %e'eit or Resour'es rolls w,en maing a deal.
ese are ?ust e-am%les, an" tereGs a goo" cance your *ision is "i##erent #rom mine. eel #ree to ma&e u% your o$n s%ecies4s%eci#ic stunts, or let your %layers "o it.
!tar(leet Ran !tru'ture Star#leet a"eres to .S. na*al ran& structure !#or con*enience, I su%%ose'.
Admiral "arious& ommodore
aptain ommander :ieutenant-ommander :ieutenant :ieutenant ;unior rade
Master ,ie( 9etty =((i'er !enior ,ie( 9etty =((i'er ,ie( 9etty =((i'er 9etty =((i'er 1st lass 9etty =((i'er 2nd lass rewman
rien $as te only non4commissione" main caracter in any Star Trek series'.
%etermining Ran ere are t$o $ays to "etermine ran&/ roll, or "on’t roll.
-oll. This option must )e used after the players ha'e selected their skill* see p. ++." se te Comman" L Fea"ersi% s&ill, an" "o a sim%le contest. !Caracters $itout tis s&ill must roll at 0.' en, ran& eac roll #rom igest to lo$est, start $it Ca%tain or Comman"er, an" going "o$n. ere’s no strict relation bet$een rolle" result an" actual ran&, but i# someone rolle" iger tan you, you can’t outran& tem.
Rank R%ll Example Four 9s are rolling t,e ommand :eaders,ip sill to determine ran. "Andrea$ illy$ ynt,ia$ and %amon.& T,eir sill rans are5 Andrea 2$ illy 0$ ynt,ia 4$ and %amon 1. A(ter rolling$ t,eir results are5 Andrea 0$ illy 1$ ynt,ia 3$ and %amon 2. As a result$ ynt,ia "end result 4& will e t,e aptain> %amon "2& t,e ommander and First =((i'er> illy "1& de'ides to sti' wit, :ieutenant$ and Andrea settles (or t,e lowly
+on6t roll. This option can )e used at any time during character creation." I# somebo"y $ants to be Ca%tain, an" nobo"y as a %roblem $it it, let tem. Alternately, i# you tin& tat a %articular +C $oul" be $ell4suite" to a %articular role or ran&, #eel #ree to suggest it.
8it ran& comes res%onsibilities, a realm o# ty%ical "uties, an" some common relationsi% roles. or instance/
e Comman"ing an" irst K##icers o#ten ma&e "ecisions *ery closely, as it is o#ten te Comman"er’s res%onsibility to communicate te Ca%tain’s $ises to te cre$, an" %era%s to callenge te Ca%tain on Euestionable "ecisions. Fieutenants an" Fieutenant4Comman"ers o#ten ser*e as "e%artment ea"s/ Cie# ngineer, Cie# actical7Security K##icer, Cie# o# K%erations, etc. nsigns ty%ically ser*e to su%%ort te oter ran&s. Kccasionally, tey $ill be assigne" to te elm o# a starsi%.
Non-!tar(leet 9s All tis is not to say tat e*ery +C must be a ran&ing member o# Star#leet. 8e a*e all &in"s o# %rece"ents in te *arious Trek series #or outsi"ers ma&ing temsel*es use#ul/
4esley #rsher. Kstensibly gi#te" son o# a ran&ing o##icer5 occasionally goo" at stu##5 mostly an un$ante" liability #or te Ca%tain. a*or 5ira #onstable 7do. )an&ing members o# a regional military, go*ernment, or oter organi=ation tat is $or&ing closely $it te e"eration. "alf the crew of Voyager . 8en you get tra%%e" on te oter si"e o# te gala-y $it a cre$ o# $ante" #ugiti*es an" an annoying ala-ian, sometimes te rules ?ust "on’t %re%are youH
o summari=e, you coul" a*e/
Consulting s%ecialists assigne" #or certain missions. A"?unct o##icers #rom allie" go*ernments. K%erati*es #rom some ne#arious organi=ation tat Star#leet barely tolerates !suc as Section 31'. Fonely %ri*ateers #or $om you ?ust can’t el% #eeling sorry !see Voyager ’s
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A'A )ISSIONS =eriew +layer caracters $ill %retty muc "i*i"e teir time bet$een si%boar" acti*ities an" a$ay missions. A$ay missions can ta&e %lace any$ere o##4 si%. or e-am%le/ • • • • •
A %lanetGs sur#ace. >eneat a %lanetGs sur#ace. In orbit o# a %lanet !on an orbital station, #or e-am%le'. A s%ace station. Anoter starsi%.
omputers !ensors A cre$ member tries to ma&e sense o# an ancient %iece o# macinery tat may tell tem $y a ci*ili=ation became e-tinct.
%iploma'y As te e"erationGs re%resentati*e, te ca%tain is or"ere" to o*ersee negotiations bet$een t$o $arring #actions on a ne$ly4"isco*ere" %lanet.
nestigation e cre$ must "isco*er $o or $at is res%onsible #or a series o# mur"ers aboar" a starbase.
Medi'al e cie# me"ical o##icer must "isco*er $at is causing te ra%i"ly4 gro$ing tumors in#ecting a %lanetGs %o%ulation.
9ilot 9lanetary Be,i'les Stran"e" on a $orl" $it a %re4$ar% ci*ili=ation, te cre$ is #orce" to use teir %rimiti*e combustion4%ro%elle" *eicles to esca%e #rom a ro*ing gang o# tugs bent on stealing teir a"*ance" tecnology.
Resour'es As a rule, members o# Star#leet !an" many e"eration societies' "o not "eal $it or carry currency or *aluables #or tra"e. 8at a%%ens $en a critical in#ormant as&s #or a bribe
!'ien'es e cre$ must "isco*er $o or $at is res%onsible #or a series o# mur"ers aboar" a starbase.
!urial Cut o## #rom teir si% by atmos%eric "isturbances, te cre$ must #in" selter an" $ater in a *ast "essert.
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STARSHI* O*ERATIONS =eriew +layers $ill use s&ills to carry out assignments an" or"ers using bri"ge stations !elm, sensors, tactical' or "e%artmental locations !engineering, sic&bay, stellar cartogra%y'. sually tese $ill be o*ercome or create a"*antage actions, but also occasionally attac& an" "e#en" !as %er te %rece"ing combat gui"elines'. ;ere are some e-am%les o# $en tese tas&s may come into %lay. ac o# te common "e%artments is liste" $it ty%ical "ay4to4"ay "uties, as $ell as a"*ance" tas&s tat $ill reEuire s&ill rolls, as%ect in*ocations an"7or team$or& to accom%lis.
ommand@:eaders,ip ndane&
Advanced&
ommuni'ations ndane& K%en a communications cannel to a nearby *essel or %lanet. )ecei*e subs%ace transmissions !#rom Star#leet Comman", #or instance'. • •
Advanced& $ea&ing te uni*ersal translator to analy=e a %articularly "i##icult "ialect. Scrambling a transmission to %re*ent it #rom being "eco"e" by ostiles. @amming te transmissions o# a ostile si%, suc tat tey cannot communicate $it teir coorts. •
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ese actions can certainly be use" in combat to create a"*antages an" scene as%ects.
omputers !ensors ndane& 8or&ing in tan"em $it elm7na*igation to %lot sa#e routes o# tra*el. rac&ing an" stu"ying s%atial %enomena suc as comets an" nebulae. Focating an in"i*i"ualGs li#e signs $itin a si%, or on a %lanetGs sur#ace. )esearcing e"eration "atabases #or istorical or scienti#ic "ata. •
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Advanced& e abo*e tas&s can o#ten be com%licate" by natural or arti#icial "isturbances suc as nebulous gases, "ense asteroi" belts, ion storms, atmos%eric anomalies, etc.
Advanced& Mitigating te e##ects o# strenuous acti*ities, suc as constant use o# ig $ar% s%ee"s, "amage #rom combat, etc. •
Medi'al "!i'ay& ndane& Maintaining a ig le*el o# cre$ ealt troug regular "iagnostics. •
Advanced& reating $oun"e" "uring a battle. in"ing a treatment #or an alien *iral in#ection. • •
!'ien'e :as@!tellar artograp,y "!'ien'es& ndane& >asic carting o# star clusters an" oter cosmic %enomena. Culti*ating biological organisms !y"ro%onics, etc.'. • •
Advanced& rac&ing a Euasi4mystical energy ne-us as it cuts a ser%entine %at troug te gala-y. Fearning about te istorical e*olution o# a %lanetGs biological li#e#orms. •
•
Flig,t "!,uttles Au?iliary ra(t& "9ilot5 !pa'e'ra(t& ndane&
Advanced&
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STARSHI*S IN DETAIL +lease note tat tese are Euic& an" loose suggestions oter games suc as Diaspora contain #ar more intricate mini4games centere" aroun" tings li&e si%4to4si% combat. at’s not te #ocus o# tis a"a%tation. ;ere, $e $ill %ut te %layer caracters an" teir abilities #ront an" center, esce$ing a lot o# boo&&ee%ing in te %rocess. Kne more ca*eat/ i# your grou% uses te "e#ault setting o# a Star#leet cre$ on4boar" a Star#leet *essel, combat is sally a last resort.
=eriew +Cs use teir s&ills in starsi% combat, mo"i#ie" by teir si%Gs s&ills an" as%ects. .g., Da- is %iloting te De#iant. ;er +ilot S%acecra#t s&ill is 3, an" te De#iant as J Maneu*er, $ic gi*es er a 2 to te roll, ma&ing er le*el N. Kb*iously, te elm an"7or tactical o##icer!s' $ill be getting te s%otligt in combat scenes. ;o$e*er, te oter +Cs can assist by creating a"*antages #or elm an" tactical to use. .g., Ca%tain Sis&o rolls is Comman"7Fea"ersi% s&ill to create an a"*antage in te #orm o# a #ree in*ocation on te Defiant Gs Se ;as eet as%ect !$ic Da- can use on er ne-t action'. Starsi%s a*e te same stats as caracters as%ects, s&ills, stunts, stress an" conseEuences !"etermine" by a *ariety o# #actors'. is is "iscusse" in te ne-t section.
%e(ining !,ips See te #ollo$ing %ages #or e-am%les o# tese elements.
!'ale FetGs use tree le*els !small, me"ium, large'. Smaller si%s are more maneu*erable, an" a*e less #ire%o$er an" ull7siel" strengt5 larger si%s are less maneu*erable, but a*e greater #ire%o$er an" ull7siel" strengt. is is o$ scale in#luences "amage ca%acity. !See Stress and #onse1ences on te #ollo$ing %age #or actual "amage ca%acity, $ic is #airly static.'
Small >?@ "MaCuis (ig,ters$ s,uttle'ra(t$ runaouts&
Medium >0@ "#.!.!. "e%iant $ 8lingon irds o( 9rey&
(arge >@ "ala'! -'lass #.!.!. Enterprise $ a Romulan "deride' -'lass /arird$ a ;em*Dadar attles,ip&
2 against medium s,ips -2 against medium s,ips 4 against large s,ips. -4 against large s,ips -2 against small s,ips 2 against large s,ips
2 against small s,ips -2 against large s,ips
-4 against small s,ips -2 against medium s,ips
4 against small s,ips 2 against medium s,ips
Aspe'ts i*e a si% t$o to tree as%ects, an" youGre goo". )emember to ma&e tem "ouble4si"e" !%ros an" cons'. or e-am%le/ te .S.S. E-celsior #rom te #ilms migt a*e >y o", atGs a >ig Si%: an" e reat -%eriment:, or oters. !See %. BB #or more e-am%les.'
!ills All si%s a*e #i*e s&ills, mostly use" in contests an" con#licts.
Stars,ip Skill List 1. . ". &. ).
Maximum ;arp Maneu3erability actical Systems Sensors Computer
#arp %/0 0 #arp 1%20 1 #arp 3%40 2 #arp 5%60 3 #arp 9%9.30 J #arp 9.40 N #arp 9.50 Q #arp 9.60 R #arp 9.90
In con#licts an" contests, si%s soul" only roll i# teyGre on te same le*el !3 *s. 3'. I.e., a si% tatGs "e#initely #aster tan anoter $ill usually outrun it. K# course, you can boost your $ay u% !or conseEuence your $ay "o$n' to matc le*els tem%orarily. .g., an engineer coul" create an a"*antage in te #orm o# a tem%orary boost li&e Focused Dilithium Tuning to raise is $ar% Q si% !2' to $ar% R !3', but only #or a sort time. I# a si% maintains ma-imum $ar% #or more tan once scene, it incurs a scene as%ect along te lines o# Subspace Fluctuations or Deuterium ea!age.
aneverability& Mostly use" to e*a"e enemy #ire. • • •
89 or 8:& a"" 1 to %iloting rolls 8; or 8<& a"" 2 to %iloting rolls 8= or 8>& a"" 3 to %iloting rolls !etc.'
In con#lict, maneu*erability is #urter mo"i#ie" by "i##erences in scale !see %re*ious %age'. $actical Systems& e o*erall e##ecti*eness o# targeting sensors an" $ea%on systems. • •
89 or 8:& a"" 1 to tactical rolls. 8; or 8<& a"" 2 to tactical rolls !etc.'.
In con#lict, tactical is #urter mo"i#ie" by "i##erences in scale !see %re*ious %age'. Sensors& )e%resents te range an" e##ecti*eness o# all si% sensors. #ompter& >ot %rocessing s%ee" an" "e%t7brea"t o# &no$le"ge re%resente".
!tunts and
!tress o?es "!,ields& Stress bo-es are siel"s sim%le as tat. Most Star#leet *essels a*e 2 bo-es5 %oor siel"s $oul" be 1, a"*ance" $oul" be 3, etc. se" bo-es are cleare" $en te si% as a #e$ minutes to reco*er te energy use" !bet$een con#licts'.
onseCuen'es "%amage& ConseEuence slots re%resent ull "amage ca%acity. e "e#ault s%rea" is 17171, ?ust li&e caracters o$e*er, #eel #ree to a"" a mil" slot i# it te si% is %articularly stur"y, or as ablati*e armor !#or instance'. At most, a si% coul" a*e 27271. )emember/ "amage is also an"le" troug scale an" attac& rolls !see %re*ious %age'. As %er Fate Core , si#ts o# success on an attac& roll must be absorbe" by te "e#en"er using teir a*ailable conseEuences. I# tis is im%ossible, te "e#en"er is ta&en out !"estroye" or "isable"'. ou can totally combine stress bo-es an" conseEuences to absorb its, until teyGre gone.
!ample !tars,ips +lease see %. BB #or Appendix '& Sample Starships.
on(li't =eriew Muc li&e %ersonal con#lict • • • •
Set the scene !create scene as%ects' +etermine trn order !$ic si% acts #irst' Exchange(s) !eac cre$ %er#orms teir actions' End the conflict !$en someone ce"es or is ta&en out'
!et t,e s'ene Many times, starsi% battles occur in o%en s%ace in $ic case, tereGs not muc to say, as%ect4$ise. ;o$e*er, sometimes tere are interesting #eatures suc as %lanetoi"s, nebulae, an asteroi" belt, a Euasi4mystical energy ne-us te s&y is no longer te limit. se tese elements to "e#ine scene as%ects, as "iscuss as a grou% o$ tey migt come into %lay.
Turn =rder + !,ips or te +CsG si%, ta!e the highest of three relevant s!ills #rom among te bri"ge o##icers/ Comman"7Fea"ersi%, actical, an" +ilot S%acecra#t. !
T!rn Or$er Example aptain !iso ,as reat "4& ommand@:eaders,ip$ w,i', is t,e ,ig,est releant sill present on t,e "e%iant *s ridge. T,e atta'ing ;em*Dadar s,ip is 'ontrolled y a 'rew wit, 2 piloting@ta'ti'al ailities. T,us$ t,e "e%iant will a't (irst.
Resoling Atta's %on a success#ul attac& roll !te tactical o##icer #ires $ea%ons', eac si#t o# success o*er te "e#en"erGs maneu*er7"e#en" roll incurs si#ts o# "amage, $ic must be absorbe" by te targetGs conseEuence slots. I# tis canGt be "one, te target is ta&en out. is can mean tat te si% is "isable", "estroye", or oter$ise unable to ta&e any meaning#ul action.
reac on Dec& N: can be cange" to ##ecting ;ull )e%airs on Dec& N: once "amage control is %resent'.
Stars,ip C%m-at Example Setup =ne M$ (our players. T,e M will portray t,e ;em*Dadar atta'er$ w,ile t,e players will tae on t,e roles o( aptain !iso "'ommand&$ :ieutenant ;adEia %a? ",elm weapons&$ ,ie( =*rien "engineering and damage 'ontrol&$ and %o'tor as,ir "medi'al&. %a? will mae most o( t,e 'omat rolls$ using ,er ood "3& Ta'ti'al sill$ w,ile t,e M deems t,e ;em*Dadar*s Ta'ti'al sill to e Fair "2&.
urn Order !in'e t,e "e%iant is 'oming out o( 'loa to amus, t,e lone ;em*Dadar (ig,ter$ its stunt allows it to a't (irst in t,e (irst e?',ange. "Normally you*d 'ompare Ta'ti'al sills to determine order o( a'tion.& !iso will gie t,e orders$ %a? will 'arry t,em out$ and =*rien and as,ir will mitigate t,e 'onseCuen'es "in t,at order&. A(ter
=irst #xchange !iso orders %a? to (ire pulse p,asers$ and ,is player wants to 'reate a (ree ino'ation on t,e aspe't !,e Das Teet, (or %a? to use. "Note t,at !iso ,imsel( doesn*t per(orm t,e atta' + ,e*s 'reating an adantage.& De attempts a Fair "2& oer'ome a'tion$ using ,is reat "4& ommand@:eaders,ip sill$ and s'ores a + t,ree s,i(ts o( su''ess aoe t,e target. GG
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STORIES
A con*ention one?shot o# 34N ours. A mini?campaign o# 24J sessions. A long campaign o# N, 10, or many more sessions.
Similarly, canonical Star Trek stories are #rame" as eiter/
%iso"ic one4our "ramas. %ic #ilm4lengt sagas.
>e#ore you sit "o$n $it your grou% !or start to $rite your story notes', en*ision your goal. e $ay I see it, e%iso"ic "ramas #it Euite $ell $itin te #irst an" tir" role%laying #ormats !one4sots or long cam%aign %lay', $ile #ilm4lengt e%ics are more suite" to a mini4cam%aign !24J sessions'.
A single session is only enoug time to con#ront an" resol*e one or, at te most, t$o ma?or con#licts. ere’s room #or e-%loring eac caracter’s %ersonality an" abilities, but not muc time #or gro$t an" cange. A an"#ul o# sessions !or, mini?campaign ' is enoug time to see te +Cs cange, an" to see te macinations o# teir antagonist!s' #lese" out o*er a longer %erio". In a long campaign, +Cs an" antagonists may come an" go. Most im%ortantly, te grou% as te time to e-%lore an" resol*e ma?or temes or e*ents o# galactic im%ort !suc as te Bin"i %lot #rom Enterprise , or te Dominion in*asion #rom Deep Space Nine '. Consi"er a long cam%aign to be analogous to a season o# tele*ision.
/,at Aout Missions Since Star#leet ostensibly #ollo$s a military o%erati*e structure, mission assignments #rom Comman" are a matter o# "aily li#e #or a starsi%’s o##icers an" cre$. As te M, you can use tese to structure your gaming sessions.
7ne?shot. A mission #or a single session o# %lay soul" be #airly straigt#or$ar". e cre$ is assigne" to a""ress a single issue, $it little nuance or grey area. is issue is meant to be resol*e" $itin a an"#ul o# scenes, an" nee" not tie into any larger %lot. ini?campaign. A mission assignment can &ic&4start an e%ic story, but noting goes as %lanne". e cre$ $ill #in" a situation *ery "i##erent #rom te one #or $ic tey $ere %re%are". ere’s %lenty o# room #or "i*i"e" loyalties, long4lost #rien"s or enemies, an" layers o# %lot to unra*el. %ong campaign. Start small, but tin& about te big %icture. Missions tat seem sim%le migt a*e long4reacing conseEuences. +Cs are li&ely to cange teir as%ects an" s&ills, an" may acEuire %ermanent #allout #rom te con#licts tey #ace. As te M, ne*er #orget to loo& #or te +Cs’ flags !As%ects'/ $at "o te %layers $ant to see #or teir caracters, an" o$ can you el% tem #ace it
Mission deas
5eeping the Peace. Starsi% is recalle" #rom scouting mission to arbitrate !Euell' an u%rising on BB, a e"eration $orl". 8at "o te rebels $ant 8y is te stance o# te %o$ers4tat4be goo", or at least easy to relate to 8o is in %lay tat is closely tie" $it one !or more' o# te +Cs !Kne or t$o <+Cs tat can %ro*i"e "ubious moti*ations #or bot si"es.' ◦ ◦
◦
Ì
)ISCELLANEOUS IDEAS T,e ridge on t,e Tale A#ter you’*e "etermine" $ere te cre$ is assigne", s&etc or %rint out a roug schematic o# te bri"ge layout. A %age si=e o# 11: - 1R: is %robably su##icient. ;a*e te +Cs create table tents #or teir caracters !note car"s #ol"e" in al# $it name, ran&, an" assigne" %osition'. en, %osition tese tents at teir res%ecti*e control stations !comman" cair, tactical, communications, sensors, elm, science, engineering, etc.'. (ee% in min" tat tere’s %lenty o# $iggle room in regar"s to tese !on te 1R014D, te tactical o##icer $as also res%onsible #or communications an" internal sensors'. I# you a*e a selection o# note car"s in *arious colors, you can color code by "e%artment !gol"7blue7re"'. Kr, it migt be e*en more use#ul to use one color #or +Cs, an" one #or <+Cs, to establis a consistent cast on te bri"ge.
9,asers Star#leetGs stoc& armament is a "e*astating %iece o# game4 brea&ing #iction, i# $iel"e" in?u"iciously. FetGs brea& it "o$n into tree #unctions/ stn, !ill, an" vapori@e. +asers come in tree general mo"els, "i##ering by time %erio"/ •
•
•
$ype / is a mini4%aser tat, in KS an" te early #ilms, "etaces #rom te y%e II. It can only stn an" !ill. $ype // is te stan"ar" armament $orn on te belts o# security o##icers. is one can stn, !ill, an" vapori@e. $ype /// is te %aser ri#le. It can stn, !ill, an" vapori@e, but can "o so at muc longer ranges, an" as a muc larger %o$er cell.
Kb*iously, I "onGt recommen" tat you try to trac& o$ many sots eac ty%e o# %aser can #ire be#ore itGs out o# ?uice. I also "onGt recommen" tat you get too %articular $it o$ many si#ts o# stress an" conseEuence eac granular setting in#licts. ;ereGs o$ IG" "o it !tese i"eas %resu%%ose a sentient enemy, rater tan sooting at roc&s'.
!tun "!ettings 1-3& •
Firing& Kn a success#ul stun roll !Combat/ nergy L +ro?ectile', te target Is &noc&e" unconscious #or an un"etermine" %erio", and Absorbs stress7conseEuences eEual to te success si#ts o# te attac&erGs roll. 8en you succee" $it style, your caracter can ma&e an e"ucate" guess as to o$ long until se $a&es u%. ◦ ◦
•
+efending& I# it by a stun blast, te target can roll +ysiEue or 8ill to sa&e o## te e##ects o# a stun blast, but itGs a reat !J' o*ercome action. As%ects suc as co*er, or s%ecies attributes can el% $it tis. Stress an" conseEuences still a%%ly.
8ill "!ettings 4-14& I# a Star#leet o##icer e*er &no$ingly &ills or *a%ori=es a sentient being, tey are sub?ect to #ull in*estigation by Star#leet Comman" !e-ce%t "uring $artime engagement'. I cannot stress o$ serious tis is any o##icer using a %aser to &ill or *a%ori=e $itout a really, really goo" reason is liable to be tro$n in te brig. •
Firing& Kn a success#ul &ill roll, te target Is eiter "ea" outrigt, or nearly "ea" !MsG coice', and Must absorb stress7conseEuences eEual to te success si#ts o# te attac&erGs roll. 8en you succee" $it style, you !te %layer' can "etermine te "ea"7nearly "ea" outcome. ◦ ◦
•
+efending& I# it by a &ill blast, te target can roll +ysiEue or 8ill to re"uce te e##ects to tose o# a stun blast, but itGs a reat !J' o*ercome action. As%ects suc as co*er or s%ecies attributes can be use" to el% $it tis. Stress an" conseEuences still a%%ly.
BaporiEe "!ettings 1-16& •
Firing& Kn a success#ul *a%ori=e roll, te target Is *a%ori=e". ◦
•
+efending& I# it by a *a%ori=e blast !assuming any "o"ge attem%t as #aile"', te target is $ell an" truly *a%ori=e".
Ì
A**ENDI. A/ SA)*LE CHARACTERS ;ere you’ll #in" se*eral sam%le caracters, bot canon an" non4, bot uman an" alien.
STAR TREK FATE 4ame ! ,escription "ender$ !pe'ies$ Ran$ Assigned !tation& #aptain %ean&uc 'icard 7 Captain of the 8.S.S. nter%rise 7
e6resh 1
Federation flagship. $uman male. &rings age and e-perience to )ear.
Aspects Dig, on'ept
E-perienced Diplomat
Troule
Traditionalist
,ild,ood
Trou)led Family Life
A'ademy
:ast Assignment
isk :s :ts ;
S9ills reat "4&
ood "3&
. Diplomacy= . Command= apport Leadership
Fair "2&
. Com)at0 Energy > (ro?ectile
Aerage "1&
. $istory > Cultures
/. (ilot Spacecraft /. Tactical > Security /. Communications ;ps. 1. ++ 2. ++
1. #ill
Stunts . eno
Stress
Conse5uences
9,ysi'al
Mental
1 2
1 2
3 4
3 4
Mild "2 pts.&
Moderate "4 pts.& !eere "6 pts.&
STAR TREK FATE 4ame ! ,escription "ender$ !pe'ies$ Ran$ Assigned !tation& #ommander Spoc! 7 Vulcan male* Science ;fficer of the 8.S.S.
e6resh /
Enterprise.
Aspects Dig, on'ept
Troule
,ild,ood
A'ademy
:ast Assignment
Logic Dictates :n'ol'ed #ith Conflicted Career Scientist Designed the Lt. 8hura $alf%$uman @o)yashi !aru
S9ills reat "4&
. Sciences
ood "3&
Fair "2&
Aerage "1&
. Computers
. :n'estigation
/. Empathy
/. Notice 1. #ill
. Com)at0 &ra !elee /. Command=Leadership 1. Contacts 2. Na'igation
Stunts . Logic Dictates :n'estigation"0 ++ /. !ind !eld Empathy"0 ++
Stress
Conse5uences
9,ysi'al
Mental
1 2
1 2
3 4
3 4
Mild "2 pts.&
Moderate "4 pts.& !eere "6 pts.&
A**ENDI. 0/ SA)*LE STARSHI*S ;ere you’ll #in" se*eral sam%le s%ace *essels #rom *arious eras.
STARSHI* RECORD 4AM#'C(ASSI=ICAIO4
$O=I(#
AemB$adar Fighter
!edium
BAC<O4, ++
AS$#CS T ight and (uic! polaron )eam7 torpedoes7 minimal shields" T Energy Dissipator
S
S4S A4, #DAS
T )ax* Warp+ 2 9" T )aneu,er+ / T Tactical+ / T Sensors+ / T #omputer+
T Energy Dissipator+ on a successful hit7 the target 'esselBs po
S#SS "!,ields&
CO4S#E#4C#S
1
Mil" !2'
2
Mil" !2'
3
Mo"erate !J'
J
Mo"erate !J' Se*ere !Q'
STARSHI* RECORD 4AM#'C(ASSI=ICAIO4 8.S.S. De#iant
$O=I(# !edium
BAC<O4, ++
AS$#CS
S
T She -as Teeth T )ax* Warp+ 3 9.4" pulse phasers7 uantum T )aneu,er+ 2 torpedoes" T Tactical+ 2 T Sensors+ 1 T Nimble. /ut it T #omputer+ / #osts
S#SS "!,ields&
S4S A4, #DAS T /orro$ed #loa!ing De,ice+ :f decloaking at the )eginning of a conflict7 the Defiant can act first in the first e-change.
CO4S#E#4C#S
1
Mil" !2'
2
Mil" !2'
3
Mo"erate !J'
J
Mo"erate !J' Se*ere !Q'
STARSHI* RECORD 4AM#'C(ASSI=ICAIO4 8.S.S. nter%rise NCC%5%D
$O=I(# Large
BAC<O4, ++
AS$#CS T )assi,e Flagship
T Fearsome 0eputation
Type + phaser )anks7 photon torpedoes"
S
S4S A4, #DAS
T )ax* Warp+ Q !9.R' T )aneu,er+ 1 T Tactical+ 3 T Sensors+ J T #omputer+ J
T Saucer Separation+ :f already in conflict7 this takes t
S#SS "!,ields&
CO4S#E#4C#S
1
Mil" !2'
2
Mil" !2'
3
Mo"erate !J'
J
Mo"erate !J' Se*ere !Q'
STARSHI* RECORD 4AM#'C(ASSI=ICAIO4
$O=I(#
@renim #eapon Ship
Large
BAC<O4, ++
AS$#CS
S
S4S A4, #DAS
T )assi,e Temporal T )ax* Warp+ 2 !Q' Warship T )aneu,er+ 42 T Tactical+ 0 T 'hased Out o" T Sensors+ N Normal Time T #omputer+ N imper'ious to normal
T Temporal #ore+ Ship is designed to remo'e @renim enemies from time entirely. This is its only effecti'e
T Slo$ #arp 4"
S#SS "!,ields&
CO4S#E#4C#S
1
Mil" !2'
2
Mil" !2'
3
Mo"erate !J'
J
Mo"erate !J' Se*ere !Q'
