Nerd Pride Radio

So I've finished the first batch of pre-gen characters for the upcoming episodes. And I figured that I would present them as I finish each of the five batches. Each batch has three characters in it, and is designed to represent one of the five starship roles. While many of the characters have skills that let them cross over into multiple roles, these are simply the roles that fit the concept I had for them. Obviously, players can choose other options for them during gameplay. Every character has no defined gender, and I'll be using the neutral they for descriptive purposes. This is both to allow for gender to be defined by the character, as well as to be clear on the fact that gender isn't a biological definition here. Particularly in a setting where changing expressed biological characteristics is so easy. Physical description is also left purposefully vague, so that a player can add/create on that front. Personality and history are kept a bit more vague and brief, just enough to give some framework for players. Side note: Bot is used as a replacement term for a Mechanic's drone class feature. There are already other drones in the rules system, and very likely more coming in future books. The same name never should have been used, so I've swapped it out with bot.

I'd like to present, the Engineers. Character sheets are completed, but currently unavailable, until I figure out where best to host them.

Sarangi - Vesk Bot Mechanic 1
Born on Vesk III, Sarangi never exactly fit in with their fellow citizens. They focused more on their technical schooling, and less focus on the militaristic trappings of the society around them. The games of strength and combat prowess were never an area of strength for them. What truly lit their mental fires was the discovery of a roving human priest of Triune who offered free technical lessons. They quickly found a home among the faith of the Three, and consumed every scrap of knowledge they could regarding the modern sciences. When it came to the subject of Drift travel, whole new plans began to form in Sarangi's mind. The priest led them to complete their apprentice level training in the necessary sciences, while also providing a workspace for Sarangi to find the divine code within her biology. Expressed in the form of C-1, a one-armed stealth bot; Sarangi's faith has been proven to the Three. Only a year ago, they managed to get a job as a low-level decksnipe on a traveling Shirren merchant freighter. Since leaving Vesk III, they have discovered their true passion among scholarly pursuits: genetics. Inspired by the biological creations that are Shirren starships, they have vowed to find a way to fuse the teachings of the Three with the awe-inspiring field of genetics.

Arriving on Akiton only a few weeks ago, after a long year-long term of service, they have decided to explore options planetside in the hopes of finding their own opportunities to expand their research projects. Unfortunately, falling prey to unfamiliarity with the crueler parts of Akiton has left Sarangi low on funds, job prospects, and hope. Desperate to find a way off this forsaken planet, Sarangi has agreed to meet with Saul Redgrave, a legal executor who seems to have a high-paying, short-term job for those with the proper skills. They haven't realized that Saul is known primarily as a legal expert for low-rent criminal figures and corrupt merchants.

Hesori - Lashunta (Damaya) Technomancer 1
Born into a very well-regarded noble family on Castrovel, Hesori wanted for nothing. Except for their independence and an escape from the likely arranged marriage to a prominent elven family. And once their gifts from Triune manifested, Hesori realized that this growing gift for fusing technology and magic was exactly their way to escape a life filled with boredom. Spending several years managing to take advantage of the Castrovellian educational system (at their family's expense), Hesori arranged a graduation gift as a star cruise through the Pact Worlds. Seeing their chance, they disappeared into the undercities of Akiton during a port of call to watch some of the famous blood duels found on the Red World.

And that's where luck ran out for the Lashunta. While never seeing the worst of the underprivileged and downtrodden outlying cities of Akiton, Hesori has also had a string of failures. They have largely attributed it to bad luck or a cursed star, all without realizing just how easily this planet preys on the unwary; how easily it is willing to drain newcomers dry, before leaving them abandoned in the desert. Short on funds, and having already worked with Saul before (on less than legal jobs), they have taken him up on an offer for short-term work. They just hope it isn't as violent as the last two jobs. But considering their luck...

Reggie Tavel aka "Imp" - Ysoki Operative (Detective) 1
Tavel grew up in the slums of one of Akiton's nameless shit heaps known as the Outer Cities. And whatever the rest of their past, it really doesn't matter, and they don't have much interest in talking about it. Somewhere along the way, they showed aptitude for hunting bounties. And that's how the bills were paid. Wetworks or legal captures, it doesn't matter. Imp (only to their friends, and there aren't many of them) is a good person at heart. They want to help people. They are joyful and yearn for the stars, as a secret follower of Weyland. But Akiton has shown them its worst. Deep down in the stacks, where the corpses rot, the tech rusts, and the world just keeps falling further down. That's where you have to go when you're working for gangsters and crooked executors. Saul's called again, and Imp answers on the second beep, just like they always do. Maybe this is the one. The magic payday. The one that gets Tavel off this rock, and out into the stars. On a ship, keeping an engine humming, right where they want to be.

Next up, the Pilots.

Leandra Ezira - Human Solarion 1
Ezira (Leandra to their family only, and they hate the name) grew up in the actual sun of the Pact Worlds, Mataras. The cities inside the star have long been a stronghold of Sarenrae's faith, and Ezira was no exception. They grew up in a very devout family, one focused on serving the Lady of Flames almost exclusively. Ezira wanted nothing to do with this, as the call of space and the stars were sounding in their very soul. The only thing that they found attractive about the corona cities was the ability to see stellar fire flare around gravitonic disturbances. The interplay of such primal forces felt like the constantly changing feelings found within themselves. Sneaking aboard a kasatha diplomatic ship, they left Mataras. Discovered during the journey, Ezira fought well against the security forces and managed to summon forth the solar weapon that exist inside of them. Realizing what was before them, the security subdued the human and returned to the worldship Idari. Stellar sages of the Circle were able to begin training Ezira to harness these talents. Unfortunately, their impatient and fiery temperament proved too much even for the staid kasatha. After a series of infractions and brawls, Ezira was ejected from the training grounds and placed on the first outbound freighter. The merchant crew aboard the Artful Dodger turned out to be exactly what Ezira always needed. Led by a captain whose faith in Oras was deeper than many priests, the ever-changing environment became a new training ground. The star-born human learned piloting as well as various shipboard duties. Training to repel boarders, their martial and mystical skills continued to increase. The fusion of mythical viewpoints (Sarenrae and Oras) have become the core of Leandra Ezira. Fiery strength, a personal gravity that attracts those around them, and the constant confusion of ongoing evolution.

Nik Vincente - Halfling Mystic (Star Shaman) 1
Growing up on Absalom Station leaves you with a different outlook on life. Your home is somehow connected to one of the greatest mysteries of the Pact Worlds, yet no one knows how. Mix in the presence of the Starstone, and now you've got the kind of material that fills 'sphere conspiracy fantasies. But really, none of that ever mattered to Nik. Because of the butterflies. Ever since they were a kid, the stars were filled with butterflies. An old tale told by their fathers, but it stuck with Nik. Then they started to really see the butterflies. Desna had called upon Nik, and they answered that call. Learning what this meant was easy, here at the one of the strongest places for that faith. But Nik knew that the stars would keep calling, so the church's hierarchy wasn't the end point of their journey. Discovering piloting...that was the final straw. The utter joy of controlling a void-faring vessel was intoxicating. The infectious grace and inquisitive mind that made Nik such a well-liked citizen made them an even better pilot. So the stars called, and Nik answered. Having just arrived on Akiton, Nik's innate luck continues, as the bar they've been frequenting seems to have word on a job for a pilot. An executor needs a ride off-world, and the meeting is in just a few hours. The stars are calling again.

Cazzik - Half-Orc Operative (Daredevil) 1
Life as a half-orc isn't easy, especially on Akiton. You only have a few options in front of you, and most of it means ending up as muscle for some syndicate. Cazzik said "Fuck that noise." They once read some Oras church literature and has never looked back. If it is an animal, vehicle, building, or obstacle; then they can ride it, pilot it, climb it, or slide around it. Knowing they needed a way to stay out of the gutters, Cazzik started using these skills to take on betting challenges. Cazzik put their physical skills and body on the line for money. That meant they needed to learn how to interact with people. So they did. Whatever problem is in front of them, the half-orc finds a way around it. Cazzik may not have the resources, the gear, or the charisma that others have. But they won't stop until Cazzik passes them. Problems in front of them are just problems soon to be in their rear view-screen.

So I couldn't give you a gnoll, but that last one is all for you, Monster.

You had me at Sarangi - Vesk Bot Mechanic 1.

Wicked Awesome! El Jefe is my hero!

And now, the Science Officers...

KRK-817 "Kirk" - Android Technomancer 1
This android spent the last several years trying to understand what freedom means on an individual scale. Considered property of a "dark" research station of Millard-Joyce Robotics, 817 was liberated by the Android Abolitionist Front (AAF) just a year ago. Unfortunately, the newly named "Kirk" had no real need or desire for this freedom. They never cared to understand organic life's emotional needs, nor the AAF's anti-exploitation stances. Kirk had everything they needed...plenty of science projects to keep busy, large numbers of alien lifeforms to study, and the occasional trip through the stars. Left to fend for themselves, Kirk has struggled to find a new home separated from his corporate owners. Having recently ended up on Akiton, after a string of failed runs as science staff on various vessels, Kirk was picked up for a job by an overly emotional executor named Saul. KRK-817 will never understand why these organics seem so predisposed to worry and fear. They cannot wait for the bio-organic Singularity all models seem to predict. Kirk's techno-mystic abilities will no longer mark him as an outsider, and they will no longer lack understanding of organic emotional cortexes. All will merge into one ideal organism.

Rhyad - Elf Mystic (Akashic) 1
Sometimes the greatest mystery is yourself. Rhyad has absolutely no knowledge of what happened to them, their history, or their life prior to two months ago. Their skills, talents, and abilities were retained. They seemed to suffer no loss of operational memory or eidetic memory. They recognize the world around, the Pact Worlds, the history of elves, and all the knowledge one would need to function in the modern age. They just have nothing but a few scattered clues to follow. Rhyad seems able to instinctively tap into a universal source of knowledge through magical means. They speak a number of very unusual languages, including drow and draconic. And they've had enough bio-organic modifications done to be able to breathe underwater. Saul promises money and passage off-world, something that may lead closer to answers.

Taeon Glimmerstar - Lashunta (Korasha) Solarion 1
There's an old story attributing "Bless your heart!" to Golarion, as the best of all on-the-sly insults. This is a phrase often used regarding Taeon. Born on Castrovel, but raised among a splinter faction of lashunta in the Diaspora; Taeon was quickly introduced to the philosophy of the Cycle. And when their own solarion aptitudes were revealed, their home habitat celebrated. That joy only lasted a few weeks. Because Taeon has a very unreliable (perhaps totally lacking) sense of scale. Sociable, very devout to the Cycle, but lacking the common sense to know when to keep matters of faith separate from personal relationships. This wasn't helped by the solarion's own impulsive nature. So, it wasn't a surprise when a few months later, Taeon awoke from a drug-induced nap, unwillingly signed on with a merchant vessel heading into a two-year journey into the Vast. Nor that they were dumped off at a Veskarium port office only two months into that journey. The story of how Taeon got to Akiton from there involves their undying devotion to the Cycle, the strong desire to preach and convert others, poor impulse control, entering a blood-duel tournament, trying to convert a syndicate boss, and inevitably burning the arena to the ground. There might have been a ship crashed involved as well. But...Taeon is a pretty good science officer, and rather skilled and hardy in combat. So...there's that going for them?

The gunners!

Uri Panlo - Dwarf Mechanic (Exocortex) 1
Uri's not the easiest person to get along with, unless you need them to blast something for you. Mostly, this is because Uri spends far too much time listening to the artificial voice in his head. And that voice is way more interesting than most other fleshbags. Dwarves are a bit of an exception, because they are very clearly the best suited race to establish a centralized, powerful organization to lead civilization forward. Yeah...they definitely have some dwarven supremacy issues. While not quite as talented as more traditional soldiers, Uri brings a great deal of technical aptitude and enhancement to whatever crew they join. Most comfortable in heavy armor and working at range with longarms, Uri can offer the support available to most heavy infantry troops without the lack of non-combat skills.

Alcern Lucas - Human Soldier (Bombard) 1
Alcern knows that the future lies in the fusion of the technological and the organic. Growing up among the Augmented movement on Verce, there was never any doubt as to superiority of the cybernetically enhanced humanoid form. Unfortunately, Alcern ("Al" to comrades) never quite had enough standing in the movement to gain the necessary implants to advance. So they took their martial skills to the stars, intent on on earning the resources to return to Verce with the power of an enhanced group of exceptional individuals behind them. Unfortunately, Al picked Akiton as the best place to earn fast credits. This expert ranged trooper has struggled to find the same appeal and popularity in the blood arenas as the melee based competitors. And a total lack of understanding the intricacies of Akiton corruption has left Al desperate for work, and even further from their goal of cybernetic fusion and respect.

Radokama - Vesk Soldier (Armor Storm) 1
Born on Vesk IV, Kama wanted nothing more than to find a way to serve the wider community. Their family had raised them in the service of Talavet, but unfortunately Rado seemed to be best suited on the front lines. Showing a high level of aptitude for heavy armor, close-combat operations (and just the right lack of formal schooling and critical thinking to volunteer for such tasks), Radokama continued to serve whatever community they found themselves in. Always team-oriented, friendly (if somewhat socially awkward), and physically hardy, Kama became the perfect target for a string of self-serving ship crews. Having been left with almost nothing but the armor and weapon on their back, Rado has managed to survive off the blood arenas for now. But there isn't the community that the vesk craves in those places. They need to find a new community, a new family.