Towards a Grittier d20 Trek!

[Jephkay]

ok, so my 2 cents...
Vulcan Mind Meld: Allows Vulcan characters to be trained in Mild Meld techniques

Any thoughts?

Yes.

Vulcan Mind Meld is a feat... called Mind Meld, 'cuz maybe there are other races that can do it as well... Those races will be present in the prerequisite spot in the feat profile. As far as making a new psi system... I'm torn. I suggested such a thing before, but I really like the d20 Modern Psionic system. In the end, I think both will end up getting used. Heck... a rogue Section 31 Battle Mind loose on your ship is just too much fun for words.

So, Smart Hero of the right race could be a Melder (Vulcan, Deltan, Ocampa) and multiclass into Telepath (Broadening the somewhat narrow Trek Psionic view) and take special Psi skills to represent "Tricks" that are not present in the FX section of d20 Modern. Complete Scoundrel has a new mechanic similar to this. Feats give access to Tricks. They cost 2 skill points. I won't rip off WOTC directly in this, but something like you suggested will make it into the book. Care to get started on it? Hmmm?

 

[kirinke]

Hmmm. Added some weaponry and whatnot to the ship. Anything to add?

The Heisenberg
Registry NRS 1333421
Huge Alien artifact Ship
Ultralight

Subtype: Scout
Tactical Speed: 35,000 ft. (7 sq.)
Defense: 15 (10 - 2 size + 5 + 2)
Length: 30 feet
Flat-footed Defense: 13 (10 -2 size + 5 autopilot)
Weight: 20 tons
Autopilot Defense: 5 (enhanced system)
Targeting System Bonus: +3 (improved system)
Hardness: 30 (some kind of variable molecular carbon organic structure, as strong as cerametal)
Crew: 2 (Inherent systems allow full automation, crew optional)
Hit Dice: 15d20 (265 hp) (adaptive structural integrity, unknow stress diffusion capabilities)
Passenger Capacity: 6 (cramped)
Initiative Modifier: +2
Cargo Capacity: 30 tons
Pilot’s Class Bonus: +3
Grapple Modifier: +16 (Inertial magnification)
Pilot’s Dex Modifier: +2
Base Purchase DC: Unique
Gunner’s Attack Bonus: +2

Engineer Notes

Drives:
Indeterminant power source
Still trying to work how it operates.
So far it has shown to have a cruising speed of Warp 3
Sublight drive? Working on it....

Armor:
Unknown. Bio-metal of some sort or another. Regenerative properties.

Defensive systems shown so far
Damage control System can repair the equivalent of a mediumweight ship
Sensor Jammer
Magnetic field
Radiation shielding

Notes: It might have more defensive systems, but I'm not ready to irritate it enough to find out.

Sensors
Class III sensor array
Notes: Possibly could have greater capabilities. This ship is very intriguing.

Weapons:
Autofire
Particle beam
Kinetic lance
Notes: It might have greater offensive capabilites that we haven't yet discovered. Were the designers of this ship at war with something? This ship might have even greater offensive capabilities that we haven't yet seen.

Communications:
Radio transceiver (recognizable, but oddly configured)
Drive Transceiver (recognizable, but oddly configured)
Internal Comms (Still don't know how that works)

Alien Origins
Hope's ship is of an unknown and very alien origin. Made of some sort of bio-organic metal, it seems to be somewhat sentient, able to repair itself and it occasionally acts on it's own strange whims. What is known that it is incredibly old, perhaps even older than the Wanderer.

The crew found this ship after detecting a strange distress call in a rather empty bit of space. It allowed itself to be towed into a docking bay and lowered a gangplank of its own volition (they later found that out). After a subsequent search of the ship, they found one lone occupant in some sort of stasis tube. When they approached, the ship activated the tube and revived the occupant, who was found to be from the late 20th or early 21st century Earth. The ship has occasionally revived, once to help fight off bandits and another to rescue Hope from being taken from the Wanderer by some rather unscruplous scientists. In both incidients it has displayed a distressing amount of sentience.

 

[Diggus Rex]

Oh. Where did you get the different kinds of metal alloys?

What alloys? Everything I've used comes the Future books.

Instead of just reprinting the d20 Modern base classes, I thought we'd present each one with something like "Strong Heroes in Trek" and discuss in what Trek-ish roles you find them. Some are pretty obvious, but I hope to bring new ideas... Tough Engineer seems interesting. Using my occupations additions, I think we'll be able to pull off "Dedicated Security"

Agreed.

As far as making a new psi system... I'm torn. I suggested such a thing before, but I really like the d20 Modern Psionic system. In the end, I think both will end up getting used. Heck... a rogue Section 31 Battle Mind loose on your ship is just too much fun for words.

Myth (whom I welcome to the discussion ) brings up some good points that kinda makes me want to re-examine default Modern psionics. I'm very familiar with the skill/feat based Force from Star Wars and share his preferrence for this style. Although we are charting new territory, i think we still need to keep the Trek Treky

I dont believe specialized psionic classes fit best when every psionic character seems to have this power as 'side ability'. Spock could be a Smart/Dedicated with Melder feat that permits an extra Meld class skill; Deanna Troi is a Dedicated/Charismatic with a Empath feat which bonuses and expands wisdom skills. Havent taken a look at this new Trick mechanic, but from what you describe I think it lies in a good direction for us to take.

I admit to not being a D20 psionics expert, but I could write up some draft psi feats for us to kick around.

 

[the_myth]

Myth (whom I welcome to the discussion ) brings up some good points that kinda makes me want to re-examine default Modern psionics. I'm very familiar with the skill/feat based Force from Star Wars and share his preferrence for this style. Although we are charting new territory, i think we still need to keep the Trek Treky

I dont believe specialized psionic classes fit best when every psionic character seems to have this power as 'side ability'. Spock could be a Smart/Dedicated with Melder feat that permits an extra Meld class skill; Deanna Troi is a Dedicated/Charismatic with a Empath feat which bonuses and expands wisdom skills. Havent taken a look at this new Trick mechanic, but from what you describe I think it lies in a good direction for us to take.

I admit to not being a D20 psionics expert, but I could write up some draft psi feats for us to kick around.

See, that's exactly what I was thinking, with our 2 best known telepaths [Spock and Troi] as the exemplars for how this stuff works. Mind Melding does seem to be fatiguing to most Vulcans [the use of power points?], but Betezoid Empathic Telepathy is reflexive; Troi has even likened it to any other sense [like seeing or hearing]. An extra character class for psions just doesn't seem to work in this setting. Not that it couldn't since this project is attempting to break new ground of sorts...

After I posted, I took a good look at the d20 psi system as presented in my D20 Modern Manual. Here's the real issue: the class called "Telepath" has access to telekinetic powers, which is generally a combination that has never really been demonstrated in Trek. I can think of 2 times: Kes, who really was something of a broad-based psion who would seem to be something of a fluke, and Tellera/T'Pal in the ST:TNG episodes "Gambit," who is a Vulcan who uses an ancient artifact to manifest some odd telepathic/telekinetic power. [If anyone can think of others, I think this will still support my idea that these are exceptions, not the rule].

But...you could always just remove those telekinetic powers from the list and create some new telepathic ones to replace them. Is that doable?

I am also unfamiliar with the new "trick" mechanic, but it definitely sounds usable.

 

[kirinke]

Lol. I finally found the metal alloy/armour things in the star ship chapter. Just overlooked it.
CTRL+F is your friend.....

 

[the_myth]

hey! I just found a Feat called "Nerve Pinch" in the D20 Future SRD. Will this be the same as Vulcan Nerve Pinch? Could use the same feat, just allow for any Vulcan character?

Thoughts?

This also raises another issue: Jephkay, can you post any special feats and such you've already decided upon? For instance, I sussed out you used a feat for Vulcan Mind Meld in your sample character, which you later confirmed. Having a bit more of a clue as to what you're already working with might help the flow of suggestions.

 

[Diggus Rex]

Ditto. I'd like a glance myself to get a better feel of the game and add some stuff to Nimal to bring him inline.

That Nerve Pinch is likely a Trek homage. I'd leave it open to anyone. See no reason why Vulcans wouldnt teach it to aliens and it'll keep the players guessing.

 

[kirinke]

Well they can at least try to teach the Nerve Pinch to other species. I think I remember that it's quite difficult to learn. In the Unification episode, Data did learn it, but then he's an android. I also remember that Spock tried to teach Kirk the Nerve Pinch, but Kirk never really quite got the hand of it. (I think he managed to do it once)

 

[the_myth]

Well they can at least try to teach the Nerve Pinch to other species. I think I remember that it's quite difficult to learn. In the Unification episode, Data did learn it, but then he's an android. I also remember that Spock tried to teach Kirk the Nerve Pinch, but Kirk never really quite got the hand of it. (I think he managed to do it once)

maybe Kirk didn't have the right pre-reqs... ;-)

 

[Jephkay]

I shall gather my notes, and get ta typin' ... so far, I've just been scribbling in my notebook, hoping to "Layer" my notes into a Modern/Future Blended SRD. I'll post something soon.

As far as Psionics goes, hit me... I'll look it over, I'm sure I'll be as jazzed as I have by everything else I've read.

BTW: Myth, we need an Iconic Trek character from ya for the Wanderer crew. Every series has it's iconic characters, We have our Sciences, Security, Engineer and (sorta) Medical... we need a pilot and maybe... I dunno... chef, doctor, or hanger-on... perhaps a character with lots of contacts... a "Face" charismatic type. Maybe the captain's girlfriend... someone for Hope to hate and T'Lyss to be confounded by.

Pilot. Captain's Girl.... that's a good combo... don't name her Starbuck tho. OOH! The Captain's Ex-Wife... that'd be a hoot!

Or you could write whatever you like... I'm still working on the captain. He's gotta be just right