Encounter Writing Competition

From Star Frontiers Network

Competition Requirements

1. Entries must be in Word, PDF, or Word Pad file and uploaded to SFman Encounter Competition project at http://www.starfrontiers.us. Entries will be considered once they are uploaded AND an email is sent through the websites Private Message system to jedion357 stating that the entry is ready for judging. (See below for How-To create an account)
2. The entry deadline will be announced in the project area.
3. All entries will be considered submitted to the Star Frontiersman webzine for consideration for publication and entries published in the webzine may be edited prior to publication. Credit to the original author will be given.
4. Entries should be limited to equivalent of a single section in the printed modules and should be an Alpha Dawn style encounter.
5. Encounters should include; a skill check type challenges, ONE combat, and or a role play encounter.
6. The encounter should have an adjustable level of difficulty and Non Player Characters (NPC’s) should be presented in a simple scalable format that can be easily adjusted. (see NPC Level Table)
7. Each contestant is encouraged to create a thread in the project forum for feed back on their work-in-progress files.
8. Entries should, as much as possible, be rule generic. However, if a specific rule is particularly important to the encounter, use the following as a reference. RAD 23 or RKH 23 would be found on page 23 of the Remastered Alpha Dawn rules or the Remastered Knight Hawks rules respectively.
9. Finalist will be chosen by Jedion357 and a poll will be run two weeks after the entry deadline at www.starfrontiers.us for registered members to vote for the best encounter.

What Sorts of Encounters Is the Organizer Looking For?

Quick encounters that can be slotted into any campaign or game as a transition or filler encounter by the referee. The setting can be anything or anywhere in the Frontier or Rim. Use of an equipment items from any issue of the Star Frontiersman will be considered a plus but should make sense for its inclusion in the encounter or be important to the encounter.

How to Present Scalable Non Player Characters

Shipwrecked long ago on Survey Expedition 93a, Captain Ta’nak’a and his crew have adapted well. The environment has offered much in the way of survival but nothing in the way of technology. His crew once kept huge fires hoping to signal a ship from space. That was until they attacked. Without warning a third of the crew was taken by night. The Captain has sworn to get them back – one way or another.

There are currently a variety of rule sets that can be used to generate characters for Star Frontiers, from the official first edition Alpha Dawn & Knight Hawks rules to the half edition Zebulon’s Guide to a number of excellent fan developed rule sets. With that in mind all Non Player Characters (NPCs) will be presented in a simple scalable format that will be easily adjusted to the rule set being used.

1. Begin with a name or descriptive title like Thug #3 and a race.
2. List a suggested level AD 1-6; all stats for the NPC will be based off this level but do not list the stats just the level. A NPC will have all ability stats based on this level (see below). Any referee needing to increase or decrease difficulty will be able to change the level and insert the stats from the table below.
3. Next list important skills but not weapons skills: NPCs are considered to be able to use any weapon they are equipped with. All combat and skill checks will be taken at the NPC’s level listed.
4. Next list important equipment carried by the NPC. Not everything needs to be listed but just what is likely to be important to the encounter.
5. Finally give a short description of the NPC’s motivations and personality.

Example: Pirate tech; dralasite; Level 2; Computer, Technician; Equipment: Gyrojet pistol, 3 frag grenades, tool kit, power belt, albedo screen, and skien suit. He’s the clown of the crew and uses his antics to lull others into a false sense of security. Will fight dirty and smart and is not above running away to fight another day.

NPC Level Table

Level 1: All ability scores 35%, RW 28, M 28, PS +2, IM +4, Racial ability 15%

Level 2: All ability scores 40%, RW 40, M 40, PS +2, IM +4, Racial ability 20%

Level 3: All ability scores 45%, RW 58, M 58, PS +3, IM +5, Racial ability 25%

Level 4: All ability scores 50%, RW 65, M 65, PS +3, IM +5, Racial ability 30%

Level 5: All ability scores 55%, RW 78, M 78, PS +3, IM +6, Racial ability 35%

Level 6: All ability scores 60%, RW 90, M 90, PS +4, IM +6, Racial ability 40%

Star Frontiers Website Account Creation

1. If you do not have an account, create one at http://starfrontiers.us/loginregister
2. After your account has been created login and head on over to the Encounter Writing Competition at http://starfrontiers.us/node/4078 Then click on Request Membership
3. Within this project you can use the Download tab to upload your work-in-progress adventure. Once uploaded, there is a handy icon you can click on that will automatically create a topic to discussion.
4. When you visit the site you can click on the What’s New tab in the main navigation to see any new content on the site. Note that you must be a member of a project to get a list of new content.