So how did the PC's get the ship?

[cignus_pfaccari]

Stealing also is a good first adventure, while at the same time making the PCs actually earn the ship.

Oh, yes. Our SW party stole and salvaged a great many ships. Though, finding a tug that could tow a crippled MonCal was a pain.

Was *great* fun.

Brad

 

[The_Universe]

If a first level character has a ship, it's stolen. Every time. I don't think it's ever been any other way.

 

[nerfherder]

Exactly. I just discovered Banks. I love those books.

I read all the "M" ones, and then started on the non-"M" books. The Wasp Factory just blew me away. I've started Crow Road now.

Cheers,
Liam

 

[Zoatebix]

I've combined the "stolen" and the "sentient ship" variants to great effect.

 

[JBowtie]

There's always the Blake's 7 setup. The PCs start off as prisoners; early on the prison ship runs across an advanced (but abandoned) alien ship. Two crew members are sent over to claim it but are killed. So the prisoners are sent over, overpower the automatic defenses and escape with the ship (they get it moving before the real prize crew comes aboard).

 

[Von Ether]

There's always the Blake's 7 setup. The PCs start off as prisoners; early on the prison ship runs across an advanced (but abandoned) alien ship. Two crew members are sent over to claim it but are killed. So the prisoners are sent over, overpower the automatic defenses and escape with the ship (they get it moving before the real prize crew comes aboard).

Ack. I was going to suggest something similar, along with the intellgent ship. It's basically bait so an alien race can check out the "insert interstellar governement here"

Of course just like in TV shows, the ship develops a loyalty to the crew that goes beyond it's original recon mission.

 

[genshou]

Here's the setup I have for a d20 Future campaign I'm planning:

Warfare between the United Earth Protectorate and the rebellion on Saturn has escalated in recent months, leading to supply difficulties on Jupiter's moons. Currently, rebel ships have Europa blockaded and are slowly but steadily pummeling the starbase there. The PCs are recent hires in United Frontier Shipping, a government-owned company which transports critical supplies to blockaded worlds and satellites in the Sol system. Their first mission is to transport 18 tons of medical supplies and 10 tons of food to the base on Europa. Depending on choices made by the players, some of them might be piloting the fast freighter the UFS assigned to them, or they might simply be "passengers", extra security hired in case things are rough on the ground. In the process of running the blockade, their engines are damaged and they are forced to crash land hundreds of miles from the landing site–right in the middle of enemy territory. Luckily, they land in an area which can easily be defended. Most of the NPC crew is killed in the crash or the subsequent firefights, so it's up to the PCs to use every piece of equipment at their disposal to get ahold of replacement parts and get the ship repaired and over to the UEP starbase. After accomplishing the mission, their heroism earns them the use of that fast freighter.

 

[CarlZog]

Garbage Scow - The ship is old and the owner has decided to load it up with toxic/radioactive waste and launch it into the sun. The PCs can buy it dirt cheap, with all of its problems for being old, and with the added fun of having to haul off/get rid of the cargo of waste.

QUARK!

For you young 'uns, I'm not talking about the character from Star Trek... I'm talking about Richard Benjamin's ill-fated, but hysterical TV show from the late 1970s.

Carl

 

[CarlZog]

Another option for acquiring a ship is plain old hard work, saving your pennies to reach your dream. Or perhaps a military pension as a result of mustering out.

Salvage is legit, but should reflect the costs of fixing it up.

Carl

 

[TheAuldGrump]

QUARK!

For you young 'uns, I'm not talking about the character from Star Trek... I'm talking about Richard Benjamin's ill-fated, but hysterical TV show from the late 1970s.

Carl

With the Doublemint Twins!

I liked that show,,,

The Auld Grump