Ashen Stars playtest opportunity

[Trithemius]

Hi everyone,

I've put up my hand to playtest the latest GUMSHOE game from Pelgrane Press: Ashen Stars. I'll be looking for a crew of hardy high-tech spacefarers to sojourn amongst the stars and bring (media-friendly) justice to them.

What is Ashen Stars?
From the Pelgrane blurb:
The PCs are freelance law enforcement officers called lasers contracting their services to a central authority weakened by stellar war. They investigate kipdnappings, deliver cargoes, chase fugitives, collect debts, but they must keep careful track of their reputation, or miss out on future work.

Ashen Stars places its central characters in a conflict between altruism and selfishness. This is reflected in its setting, pitting the idealism of a fallen utopian order against the harsh realities of a post-war environment

It has more tech crunch than other GUMSHOE games and features some kind of system where people have dirtside and warpside (not-in-ships and in-ships) roles - so people aren't sitting around doing not much when you are flying about.

I'm quite keen to give it a whirl!

Express your interest!
Let me know in this thread or by some other means if you'd like a look-in. We need at least four folks, we can take at least six, I'd be happy with five!

[Trithemius]

Oh and here is a neat little post to show something of the mood of the setting.
The Gun Nanny

[Narayan]

I've been wanting to play a Space game for ages! And to try out GUMSHOE as well!

I'm keen!

[danconnor]

It is sounds interesting. I would be willing to try it out.

[watergoesred]

Having never playing GUMSHOE, I'm not sure what's in store, but it sure sounds intriguing.

Roughly, how many sessions will you run for the play test?

[Trithemius]

Having never playing GUMSHOE, I'm not sure what's in store, but it sure sounds intriguing.

Roughly, how many sessions will you run for the play test?

I figure 2-3 and then 2-3 in the second round. The playtest has a first and second pass this time with the comments feeding in and being implemented and then being tested again.

[museleading]

I'd be interested

[The_Exile]

Hi John,

I am playtesting a trail of cthulu gumshoe ATM iva IRC.

I woudl be happy to table top F2F on a space one.

[lexifab]

Very interested, schedules permitting. I haven't played any of the Gumshoe line yet. And I have a bit of a hankering at the moment for some old fashioned space adventuring.

[Franklin Castle]

Im also interested time permitting

[Trithemius]

Looks like we are getting a good group - I will make a doodle poll or something and see when people can fit in. I am also going to probably use this as a "hot button" game in case something gets canned at the last minute - if people are keen on that I'll put them on the Fifteen Minute Alert email list!

Stay tuned!

[Narayan]

Having never playing GUMSHOE, I'm not sure what's in store, but it sure sounds intriguing.

Robin D Laws designed the GUMSHOE system in response to what he saw as a common flaw in investigative-type games: that play is stymied when player characters fail to pick up clues critical to the progress of the game. In the GUMSHOE system, if the PC has the relevant skill they automatically pick up these clues and can learn more through using the mechanics. So, the most important thing when creating a group of PCs is to ensure that the group as a whole has access to all the relevant skills required to pick up the critical clues. The character creation system takes account of this - it allows you more points to purchase skills if you have less PCs in the group.

Check out the Pelgrane Press official website for more information. This wiki is also helpful.

[Terence]

Crap! I don't pay attention to the forum for a few days and this happens ^_^ Can I still put my hand up?

[Trithemius]

Crap! I don't pay attention to the forum for a few days and this happens ^_^ Can I still put my hand up?

No problem T.!

I will get a time poll sorted out once I actually have the thing in my virtual hands. I got my "Yay!" email, but still no content! Boo!

[Trithemius]

Okay folks, I have my stuff and I just need to read it and start cracking!

I have made the following poll so you can let me know when is convenient for you. Weekends are probably good for me!
http://www.doodle.com/nmbqcc9gudewwyt6

Also, a couple of points from the publisher-to-be!

Incidentally, you can talk about your playtest online, subject to the following rules:
1. Don't look for and read other peoples' postings on Ashen Stars.
2. This game is in playtest, and a such is not a finished game for review. By all means when the game is released, review away, but until then remember what your mother taught you - if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all!

Also, I am going to want some timely written feedback (if you have any). The point is not just to play some new game - it's to help feed in to the development cycle. If you don't want to contribute in this way, then please don't participate.

If you are still in; to the poll: http://www.doodle.com/nmbqcc9gudewwyt6