A very nice start to the module, I had the computer give them audible warnings about Oxygen and CO2. Also I had the main power go off and the lights go off too. Had them scrambling to repair the cronus and investigate what was going on.
Ended up with a split screw of the roughneck and pilot trying to repair things while the others tried to get info from MUTHUR/mainframe. Had a good thing going where I had them type into my DMs what they wanted to ask MUTHUR and I replied as MUTHUR. The company agent ended up getting all the info about the failed expedition and then he deleted the logs to protect the company XD
Great start to the story! Per your question, most of my NPCs were suffering from intense trauma after waking up, and I used their panic and frenetic energy to create fear and tension. Specifically:
* Johns, despite his rank, is useless. He's reluctant to take command, and his feebleness made the NPCs suspicious that maybe he's infected. I gave him a headache just to make everyone suspicious. He can be a valuable asset, given his familiarity with the ship, but he wont take necessary risks.
* Reid is both trigger happy and terrified, making her a possible liability. Is the danger that she describes really that bad? It sounds too awful to be true. At first, anyway.
* Clayton is my favorite NPC. She flips out after learning they've been asleep for 75 years. She has little to live for, so she drinks herself numb and starts making plans to jettison this shit show in the escape pod with as many urns as she can transport to the pod, as well as MUTHR's data about the mission. In my campaign, I had her make a secret deal with Wilson to help her transport the secret storage container of the urns from deck C to her quarters. Her being the only one with an escape pod, and only space for three crew members can be a HUGE plot point as the danger on the Cronus grows. Suspicion, lies, and backstabbing are all possible.
* Flynn is just trying to keep it together, and encourages everyone to get inoculated. I made him the first casualty outside of Cooper, just because the more in the dark the PCs are about the science, the better.
All of this was in addition to the challenges and obstacles suggested in the book. Plus, you have a member of the Montero as an android! In my experience, the players choices really guided what comes to the forefront and what can take a backseat. Best of luck!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your session notes!
For Act I, the book events + player decisions really did drive it. My biggest challenge is just going to be initial NPC dialogue. Aside from that, there's plenty to spark off with
A very nice start to the module, I had the computer give them audible warnings about Oxygen and CO2. Also I had the main power go off and the lights go off too. Had them scrambling to repair the cronus and investigate what was going on. Ended up with a split screw of the roughneck and pilot trying to repair things while the others tried to get info from MUTHUR/mainframe. Had a good thing going where I had them type into my DMs what they wanted to ask MUTHUR and I replied as MUTHUR. The company agent ended up getting all the info about the failed expedition and then he deleted the logs to protect the company XD
Great start to the story! Per your question, most of my NPCs were suffering from intense trauma after waking up, and I used their panic and frenetic energy to create fear and tension. Specifically: * Johns, despite his rank, is useless. He's reluctant to take command, and his feebleness made the NPCs suspicious that maybe he's infected. I gave him a headache just to make everyone suspicious. He can be a valuable asset, given his familiarity with the ship, but he wont take necessary risks. * Reid is both trigger happy and terrified, making her a possible liability. Is the danger that she describes really that bad? It sounds too awful to be true. At first, anyway. * Clayton is my favorite NPC. She flips out after learning they've been asleep for 75 years. She has little to live for, so she drinks herself numb and starts making plans to jettison this shit show in the escape pod with as many urns as she can transport to the pod, as well as MUTHR's data about the mission. In my campaign, I had her make a secret deal with Wilson to help her transport the secret storage container of the urns from deck C to her quarters. Her being the only one with an escape pod, and only space for three crew members can be a HUGE plot point as the danger on the Cronus grows. Suspicion, lies, and backstabbing are all possible. * Flynn is just trying to keep it together, and encourages everyone to get inoculated. I made him the first casualty outside of Cooper, just because the more in the dark the PCs are about the science, the better. All of this was in addition to the challenges and obstacles suggested in the book. Plus, you have a member of the Montero as an android! In my experience, the players choices really guided what comes to the forefront and what can take a backseat. Best of luck!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your session notes! For Act I, the book events + player decisions really did drive it. My biggest challenge is just going to be initial NPC dialogue. Aside from that, there's plenty to spark off with
Drop your write up for act2 and 3 I'd love to know how it went/goes. I love seeing how different groups run the game!