[CLOSED-TENTATIVE] Capitalism, Ho! - A Trading Ship's Tale

[Grey Library]

I'm currently thinking of drafting up a plotship for what seems to be an as-yet unheard of genre: Civilian Trading. However, due to my inexperience, I may not be so familiar with the setting and may not be able to present it well. In your opinion, do you think this is feasible?

Addendum: These only depicts the starting locations and assets, crewmembers of all races that have diplomatic relations with the major factions are welcome.

The basic premise is:
-Begins in either Yamatai, Nepleslia or Lor (WIP, research needed)

Yamatai: After a heated dispute gone horribly wrong, a pair of competing Yamatain merchants have ended up with equally destroyed ships, massive insurance fees and the ire of the Yamatai Security Agency. With the last of their funds and a hard-won argument with the National Bank of Yamatai, the two bitter rivals purchase a second-hand starship and hire a crew of rag-tag individuals to rebuild their fortunes, in a frantic race against time before the bank's heavily-armed debt collectors come knocking.

• Pros: Good starting ship, local contacts, basic upkeep almost negligible, YSE passports that permit free travel to most areas.

• Cons: Expensive upgrades, low profit margins on goods (major surplus), very heavy competition, high security and citizen records (most illegal actions and goods inadvisable in YSE space), law enforcement CONCORDOKKEN!-levels of difficult to kill.

Nepleslia: One of the sorry dime-a-dozen stories in the Democratic Imperium of Nepleslia, a hard-bitten trader affiliated with one of the major corporations suddenly finds himself disenfranchised. Now heavily in debt and pursued by loansharks, he strikes a deal with one of the largest criminal organisations in Nepleslia: They'll pay off the loansharks and provide him with some starting capital, but he'd better keep up with the regular payments. With a shoddy ship and a rabble of equally-desperate crewmen, he sets out into abyss once again.

• Pros: Lucrative illegal actions (contraband goods & killing competitors), imbalanced market (different prices by region), disorganised competition, cheap ships & upgrades, bribeable police.

• Cons: Deadly competition, basic necessities needed, intense scrutiny in YSE space (anti-gaijin racism ho!), terrible starting ship, pirates EVERYWHERE, unreliable law enforcement (who said only you can bribe?), hostile gang attacks.

Lor: WIP

 

[FrostJaeger]

GAHHHHHHH...so many interesting plots, so little time >.<

Seriously, though, interesting concept - could lead to a lot of Firefly-esque adventures

 

[Wes]

I'm a little confused. Does this have anything to do with The Taipan? The Taipan is the name of the main ship in The Black Vipers plot run by @Semjax.

 

[Wes]

No problem! Better to notice this now than later once things are started.

 

[Grey Library]

GAHHHHHHH...so many interesting plots, so little time >.<

Seriously, though, interesting concept - could lead to a lot of Firefly-esque adventures

Firefly? I don't believe I've read that before, unfortunately.Overall, this plot is probably going to be a lower-combat, smaller-scale story, kind of like a slice-of-life (in space!) interspersed with moderate intrigue, sparse combat and LOTS of running away from something.

A civvie freighter's life in a nutshell. Don't expect to be a big fish anytime soon, however, as the existing big fishes don't like sharing. From hired thugs, bloodsucker businessmen to pleasant-mannered diplomats in nice suits delivering kill-order ultimatums, you'll never want for adversaries.

Expect tp hear the order "LIE! LIE YOUR ASSES OFF, YOU IDIOTS!" veeery often, especially when dealing with Customs.

 

[Talonis Wolf]

If my character wasn't already in the Sledge Mama plot, I'd attempt to join. Hell, I'm tempted to join regardless by making a new character, and I hate keeping track of multiple characters!

What type of ship would the players start with, and can you give more specific details as to it's condition? For both factions please, although I must admit to preferring Nepleslian. Sounds more interesting. Perhaps you could recruit another GM and have to different trade ships in the same sort of plot line?

I'm teetering on the fence, but I'm taking note for sure!

P.S I've asked before on the economics of the setting, and they're... well, almost non-existent. So you have a lot of leeway on figuring that out, beyond simple transactions and stuff.

 

[Primitive Polygon]

Would definitely be interested in the Nepleslian version of the plot. The Yamatai version seems a little too squeaky clean in comparison; Without crime or at least a little disobedience, I don't really know what the actual players would really be contributing to the plot other than stacking shelves and fending off pirates. Having potentially dangerous room mates and more dodgy dealings is just funner. Or at least that's my opinion with the information currently given, anyway.

Keeping an eye on this, anyhow!

 

[Grey Library]

If my character wasn't already in the Sledge Mama plot, I'd attempt to join. Hell, I'm tempted to join regardless by making a new character, and I hate keeping track of multiple characters!

What type of ship would the players start with, and can you give more specific details as to it's condition? For both factions please, although I must admit to preferring Nepleslian. Sounds more interesting. Perhaps you could recruit another GM and have to different trade ships in the same sort of plot line?

I'm teetering on the fence, but I'm taking note for sure!

P.S I've asked before on the economics of the setting, and they're... well, almost non-existent. So you have a lot of leeway on figuring that out, beyond simple transactions and stuff.

I am currently considering purchasing one of the vessels listed in Geshrinari Shipyards' Used Starships catalog for the Yamatai traders, specifically Hull Number F7-1200. Yes, the smelly one, it should be good for laughs. As for the Nepleslia plotline, a barely-functional (bullet holes, in service before Nepleslia's secession [10+ years], looks more like a FreeSpacer vessel than an actual ship) Mule Ultralight Freighter will do. Though the Mule, originally a Pirate support vessel, comes with a harder-hitting dual-OI-Z1A Anti-Ship Cruise Missile launcher modified to launch Fusion (SDR 3) or EMP (Nonlethal SDR 6) torpedoes, in exchange for its Ionic Pulse emitters. WEAPON STATS RETCONNED, REBALANCING.

In essence, a deadly Space Bazooka with two reloads and nothing else. Kill whatever you aim at with the two torps you have, or prepare to run like hell. You CAN store two more torpedoes in the cargo bay, but it'll need to be loaded manually by EVA (suicide in combat) and takes up all the cargo space. The Issoku freighter is in much better (actually serviceable) condition with stronger shields and engines, but plateaus pretty quickly and doesn't have as much punch. The Mule can no longer be upgraded, but you get to salvage the launchers.

Would definitely be interested in the Nepleslian version of the plot. The Yamatai version seems a little too squeaky clean in comparison; Without crime or at least a little disobedience, I don't really know what the actual players would really be contributing to the plot other than stacking shelves and fending off pirates. Having potentially dangerous room mates and more dodgy dealings is just funner. Or at least that's my opinion with the information currently given, anyway.

Keeping an eye on this, anyhow!

For the Yamatai plot, who said you had to REMAIN in Yamatai? As Wes stated, It's perfectly viable for Yamataian pirates to run across the border, shake down a couple of helpless freighters or a mining colony for loot, go for a short walk to lose the police and come back into YSE space while flipping the pissed-off coppers the bird all the way home. Wait a bit, then go back out to sell the goods to your victims for the ULTIMATE IRONY. As long as you don't harass fellow Citizens and don't get ID'ed, the YSA honestly has better things to do than extradite every joker in the Empire.

 

[Talonis Wolf]

With the detailed info, I'd join the Nepleslian one without hesitation. Say the word, and I'll start making another character for myself!

 

[Talonis Wolf]

Our ship will quickly smell of manliness, giblets, booze, infected wounds and fumes. Faction won't matter, but the one-shot missile launcher will- target the engines, power or comms and you severely hinder an opponents ability to do something 'bout it.

Besides, we can always steal/buy a F7-1200 and strip the Mule Ultralight for parts and weapons. Or strip both and make our own, if we have the equipment and skills required.

 

[Primitive Polygon]

Okay, yeah, fair enough, I do see the merits of the Yamatai plot now...

But still gotta go with Talonis, and say I'd prefer the Nepleslian one. It just has a lot more variety in character options, including in comparison to existing Nepleslian military threads. I can see your point if you are worried about people just making a bunch of unhinged psychopath characters and derailing the thread, but as long as you keep the real-life concerns in focus is should be fine. The way the suggested vessel pretty much operates like a torpedo boat is kinda more interesting to me than a some insanely powerful custom-tech Yamatai thing, too, alrough I guess that's more a matter of taste.

What kind of vibes did you actually want to go for with the crew? Actual crooks and swindlers? Honest people just trying to make ends meet? What would be particularly different about the Yamatai version, are they supposed to be more classy, or still just social parasites?...

 

[Grey Library]

Okay, yeah, fair enough, I do see the merits of the Yamatai plot now...

But still gotta go with Talonis, and say I'd prefer the Nepleslian one. It just has a lot more variety in character options, including in comparison to existing Nepleslian military threads. I can see your point if you are worried about people just making a bunch of unhinged psychopath characters and derailing the thread, but as long as you keep the real-life concerns in focus is should be fine. The way the suggested vessel pretty much operates like a torpedo boat is kinda more interesting to me than a some insanely powerful custom-tech Yamatai thing, too, alrough I guess that's more a matter of taste too.

What kind of vibes did you actually want to go for with the crew? Actual crooks and swindlers? Honest people just trying to make ends meet? What would be particularly different about the Yamatai version, are they supposed to be more classy, or still just social parasites?...

For Nepleslia, bottom-of-the-barrel desperates like petty thieves and the freshly-bankrupt. The Mafia keeps all the good men who can actually hold a gun right, you get the gutter rats.

For Yamatai, a mix of starry-eyed adventurers, the odd retired Neko and a larger pool of rookie mercenaries. Better shots and crew quality overall, but the disreputable ones better be good at faking politeness. There's scum, of course, but they have good masks and are more of the professional sort. Think well-dressed Yakuza goons.

 

[Talonis Wolf]

@Grey Library

Lesser funds are merely a extra challenge to overcome! The harder start builds character.

I kinda want to try and recruit some Freespacers, as players if possible but as NPC's at the very least- it'd make things on board lively and they're amazing at making something outta nothing.

@Primitive Polygon

Hurrah for Nepleslia!

What are your thoughts on what we could do with our limited funds and well-aged ship? I kinda want to attempt piracy to give us a start and shift on towards shifty cargoes on the black market. With the occasional legal job on the side (that probably would go horribly wrong).

 

[Grey Library]

Lesser funds are merely a extra challenge to overcome! The harder start builds character.

I kinda want to try and recruit some Freespacers, as players if possible but as NPC's at the very least- it'd make things on board lively and they're amazing at making something outta nothing.

I am admittedly sympathetic to the state of the Freespacer faction, I will allow them as PCs for the Nepleslian version. I will try to include a civilian Freespacer faction as well, in the form of travelling Mothership "caravans".

Hurrah for Nepleslia!

What are your thoughts on what we could do with our limited funds and well-aged ship? I kinda want to attempt piracy to give us a start and shift on towards shifty cargoes on the black market. With the occasional legal job on the side (that probably would go horribly wrong).

Mail is always a good way to get some pocket change in the early days, so is goods shuttling between the Colonial Expanse planets. Just don't expect it to feed you forever. If you get a better ship or some wingmen (and of course, ACTUAL guns), you can hit another poor sod for everything he owns. Not much, but it's still something.

And if you pull off the raid well, it's a brand "new" (mostly intact) ship! Yes, having your own mini-fleet of Pirates is possible, just call them "freelance mercenaries" if anyone asks.

 

[Talonis Wolf]

"We claim right of salvage of these four freighters, two cruisers and eight miscellaneous craft."

...actually, having our starter ship get its origins from us claiming Salvage Rights would be awesome.

 

[Grey Library]

"We claim right of salvage of these four freighters, two cruisers and eight miscellaneous craft."

...actually, having our starter ship get its origins from us claiming Salvage Rights would be awesome.

It WAS claimed by the Mafia by Salvage Rights, modded and used for many years, then given to you. The only guns you have are crappy IRL-Era firearms, how do you even expect to steal it?

Remember, these are BEGGARS you're asking to steal a warship. Possible if they "vulture" a kill, but there won't be much of the ship left in that situation.

 

[Primitive Polygon]

@Talonis Wolf ; Tempted to say starting the other way around. Smuggling would be easier with a crew that isn't currently suspected of pirating. They also need a legit front-end business to hand-wave where all of their mysterious cargo keeps coming from. Giant ass torpedoes strapped to the side aren't the most subtle indicator of one's innocence. As for what we could spend money on... A light gun or some kind of ship disabling system would be a more useful option than "Don't move or we will annihilate you and probably your cargo as well!", really.

@Grey Library ; Yeah. Just read up on the chat logs, they kinda have a point. There is no reason why we can't cross into Yamatai space for the occasional dodgy dealings, that said. Scumbags and weirdos are fun, and can still be included in larger machinations by the very fact that higher powers would see them as expendable.

 

[Talonis Wolf]

Grey Lbrary: There's always a chance... but it's admittedly unlikely.

Polygon, you're probably right... *sigh* I'll wait on shooting stuff and creating explosions, alright?

 

[Primitive Polygon]

Well, I'm game if you guys are.

As for weapons... Seems like a construction pod like the Raba or Elysian Paa would make would make for a practical/extremely jerky edition. Even if the ship is disabled you still have to board it, and somehow I don't think they are going to be able to afford power armor. So why not just cut the floor of the other ship's cargo bay out?...

Seriously through, @Grey Library, if you wanted the vibes and characterizations to be more subtle than all this piratey stuff, just say. Don't want to take over. ;I

 

[Grey Library]

Well, I'm game if you guys are.

As for weapons... Seems like a construction pod like the Raba or Elysian Paa would make would make for a practical/extremely jerky edition. Even if the ship is disabled you still have to board it, and somehow I don't think they are going to be able to afford power armor. So why not just cut the floor of the other ship's cargo bay out?...;

Hello explosive decompression, meet fragile goods.

This is a valid option for a boarding pod though, and you can pull off the aforementioned if you install an airlock modification on the pod.