 December 20, 2010 - 2:31pm | thread to discuss details about the rescue scout RE: http://www.starfrontiers.us/node/3551 for deck plans RE: http://www.starfrontiers.us/node/4588 for details from the mod first question: even with the MSO being a civilian service should the rescue scout be the MSO Samaritan or the UPFS Samaritan I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
 December 20, 2010 - 3:05pm | I like it! But it seems to me that there should be multiples of the engineering equipment. Running a ship isn't cheap. It also seems to be too well equipped with dangerous weapons for those committed to saving lives rather than taking them. (I speak of the laser, needler and auto-rifles.) I saw vehicles on the deck plans, but none in the write-up. I assume you have more to come for the write-up. Also, you need to change the name in the document header. It says "Sarmitan" instead of "Samaritan". View my profile for a list of articles I have written, am writing, will write. "It's yo' mama!" —Wicket W. Warrick, Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi "That guy's wise." —Logray, Star Wars Ep.VI: Return of the Jedi Do You Wanna Date My Avatar? - Felicia Day (The Guild) |
December 20, 2010 - 5:16pm | in the notes I listed 2 workpods and a launch (4 person capacity) This will be a dangerous adventure so how stripped down should the arsenal be? all sonic stunners and stun sticks? (plus machetes in case of a rescue in a jungle environment- they count as swords and dont use energy and were very popular in the Volturnus adventure). I figured that they would need some weapons Perhaps none lethal hand guns and a few rifles- the needlers were for the sleep function of the ammo thus I considered them non lethal. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
 December 20, 2010 - 6:13pm | Another suggestion; (UPF Civil Service) |
 December 20, 2010 - 6:15pm | Or just FMS Frontier Medcal Service. "Hey guys I wonder what this does"-Famous last words "Hey guys, I think it's friendly." -Famous last words "You go on ahead, I'll catch up." -Famous last words "Did you here that?" -Famous last words |
December 20, 2010 - 6:19pm | I like FMS, the designation could be something like; FMS Dramune-Rescue01 FMS Sift Response |
 December 20, 2010 - 10:17pm | I use FMS as Free Merchant Ship. -iggy |
December 20, 2010 - 11:08pm | You could call it a CFMS (Capella Free Merchant Ship) with the C designating as to what fleet it belonged to since just calling it a FMS would not designate the ship belonging to an organization unless there are no other free merchants in your campaign. The designation FMS marks the ship as belonging to the Frontier and the M designates it as a medical ship, Of course you could have two ship types with the same designation if the medical corps ships used a set color pattern on their hulls to designate them as medical ships, like the medic corps in our military having those white arm bands with the red cross. "Hey guys I wonder what this does"-Famous last words "Hey guys, I think it's friendly." -Famous last words "You go on ahead, I'll catch up." -Famous last words "Did you here that?" -Famous last words |
December 21, 2010 - 6:42am | The MSO (Medical Services Org) is a civil service organization from Zebs, it is responsible for finding a cure to the Blue Plague and is based on Morgaines World (I'm pretty sure Capella Free Merchant is contra-indicated here) I suppose the question should have been phrased as What should a vessel commissioned by a civil service organization bear as its designation? It doesn't seem using a Space Fleet designation: UPFS is appropriate. Anyone have real world experience in this? I use to work at a charity called the Mariner's House in Boston's North End and I was always facinated with the photograph of a US army ship from the 40's or 50's - I asked the Captain about it and his answer was that it was a yard oiler but the tone of his answer was "what kind of dolt are you to not know that the frigging army even had ships!" so I never persued that further- wish I could remember what the designation on that ship was cause I bet it was different from the Navy's. Suppose I'll go corner the temp worker at work who is attending Mass Maritime Accad. and see what he has to say about civil service ships. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
 December 21, 2010 - 9:37am | Actually, if the MSO is part of the UPF, a UPFS designation is not out of the question as I always took UPFS to mean United Planetary Federation Starship which would apply if the ship is owned by the UPF. I use the system where the ship is registered. So the Obar Enterprises ships are TSSS <Name> For Truane's Star Star Ship (I should probably eliminate one of the S's). Something registered in Cassidine would be CSS (or CS) <name>. And there's no reason you couldn't used the FMS designation and have it mean two different things, one in the Frontier and one in the Rim. After all, the cultures and govenments evolved separately for quite some time and there are bound to be conflicting/overlapping desginations for many things. Ad Astra Per Ardua! My blog - Expanding Frontier Webmaster - The Star Frontiers Network & this site Founding Editor - The Frontier Explorer Magazine Managing Editor - The Star Frontiersman Magazine |
December 21, 2010 - 9:54am | I like the idea of special ships having distinctive markings or colorations on their hull, or having a special transponder that sends out a identifier. After all the Geneva Convention says that medics on the field of battle are not to be shot at, and the same might hold true in the Frontier allowing medical ships to be part of a fleet to care for the wounded, without needing to be heavilly armed, though an escort is always a good idea. "Hey guys I wonder what this does"-Famous last words "Hey guys, I think it's friendly." -Famous last words "You go on ahead, I'll catch up." -Famous last words "Did you here that?" -Famous last words |
December 21, 2010 - 10:03am | I like the idea of special ships having distinctive markings or colorations on their hull, or having a special transponder that sends out a identifier. After all the Geneva Convention says that medics on the field of battle are not to be shot at, and the same might hold true in the Frontier allowing medical ships to be part of a fleet to care for the wounded, without needing to be heavilly armed, though an escort is always a good idea. The sathar would shoot them anyway  . It is a good idea though.Ad Astra Per Ardua! My blog - Expanding Frontier Webmaster - The Star Frontiers Network & this site Founding Editor - The Frontier Explorer Magazine Managing Editor - The Star Frontiersman Magazine |
December 21, 2010 - 11:43am | Talked with the kid from Mass Maritime and all ships reguardless of service are USS even the school's training vessel is the USTS: united states training ship (which incidently became the USS for the hurricane down in Haiti) so I think even a civil service ship will be the UPFMS and space fleet can in an ermergency claim it and reflag it as the UPFS whatever its name is. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
December 21, 2010 - 12:40pm | Most civilized nations, even interplanetary ones would have rules of engagement, and rules regarding what is acceptable on the battlefield, how prisoners are to be treated and so on. And those who do not follow those rules would be shamed before the court of public opinion. Of course the sathar do not follow such laws and practices, which is one more reason to despise them. In the frontier we have seen laws and rules enacted to control Corporate wars, so it is reasonable that rules exist determining what is acceptable on the battlefield, which is why I suggested that medical ships, and other specialized ships would probably have some kind of identifier so that they are not accidentally targeted on the battlefield. Heck there might be rules that allow medical crews to treat casualties of war regardless of what side they are on, which leads to interesting roleplaying opportunities. "But we hate them."- medical subordinate "That might be so, but section 142 of the Morgaine Statutes clearly states that as physicians we are required to provide assistance to them regardless of our personal feelings."- Kaz'Rit'ik Chief surgeon aboard the Medical frigate T'as'ir "Hey guys I wonder what this does"-Famous last words "Hey guys, I think it's friendly." -Famous last words "You go on ahead, I'll catch up." -Famous last words "Did you here that?" -Famous last words |
December 22, 2010 - 3:41pm | I like the idea of special ships having distinctive markings or colorations on their hull, or having a special transponder that sends out a identifier. After all the Geneva Convention says that medics on the field of battle are not to be shot at, and the same might hold true in the Frontier allowing medical ships to be part of a fleet to care for the wounded, without needing to be heavilly armed, though an escort is always a good idea. For my MSO campaign that I planned, I designed a blue water drop inside a blue circle with a white background. I did this because not everyone's blood is red (which could be misconstrued anyway) and the cross is an earth human Christian symbol. Since water is a universal need for all creatures, I figure it would be the most appropriate to a ship bringing aid. Even those from outside the Federation would likely be able to discipher it. Though I'm sure the Sathar would be glad to get their hands on a MSO ship to infiltrate the Frontier and perhaps spread disease instead of cure it.View my profile for a list of articles I have written, am writing, will write. "It's yo' mama!" —Wicket W. Warrick, Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi "That guy's wise." —Logray, Star Wars Ep.VI: Return of the Jedi Do You Wanna Date My Avatar? - Felicia Day (The Guild) |
December 22, 2010 - 3:42pm | Most civilized nations, even interplanetary ones would have rules of engagement, and rules regarding what is acceptable on the battlefield, how prisoners are to be treated and so on. And those who do not follow those rules would be shamed before the court of public opinion. Of course the sathar do not follow such laws and practices, which is one more reason to despise them. +1In the frontier we have seen laws and rules enacted to control Corporate wars, so it is reasonable that rules exist determining what is acceptable on the battlefield, which is why I suggested that medical ships, and other specialized ships would probably have some kind of identifier so that they are not accidentally targeted on the battlefield. Heck there might be rules that allow medical crews to treat casualties of war regardless of what side they are on, which leads to interesting roleplaying opportunities. "But we hate them."- medical subordinate "That might be so, but section 142 of the Morgaine Statutes clearly states that as physicians we are required to provide assistance to them regardless of our personal feelings."- Kaz'Rit'ik Chief surgeon aboard the Medical frigate T'as'ir View my profile for a list of articles I have written, am writing, will write. "It's yo' mama!" —Wicket W. Warrick, Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi "That guy's wise." —Logray, Star Wars Ep.VI: Return of the Jedi Do You Wanna Date My Avatar? - Felicia Day (The Guild) |
December 22, 2010 - 3:55pm | in the notes I listed 2 workpods and a launch (4 person capacity) Yeah, mostly non-lethal. A scout meant for medical service would have a very minimal security crew. (Likely 1 at most and that very well trained at thinking first and firing never. They would likely be meant to help the crew survive dangerous situations rather than shoot their way out.) Also, a "rescue scout" should probably not have any similarity to an Assault Scout. Medical ships in the world today aren't permitted to carry weapons of mass destruction, and making it out of a warship, even if it doesn't have weapons, is a risky business. Rescuers have no need of highly maneuverable specialized craft. It would more likely have a security escort ship if going into an unknown or dangerous situation.This will be a dangerous adventure so how stripped down should the arsenal be? all sonic stunners and stun sticks? (plus machetes in case of a rescue in a jungle environment- they count as swords and dont use energy and were very popular in the Volturnus adventure). I figured that they would need some weapons Perhaps none lethal hand guns and a few rifles- the needlers were for the sleep function of the ammo thus I considered them non lethal. View my profile for a list of articles I have written, am writing, will write. "It's yo' mama!" —Wicket W. Warrick, Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi "That guy's wise." —Logray, Star Wars Ep.VI: Return of the Jedi Do You Wanna Date My Avatar? - Felicia Day (The Guild) |
December 22, 2010 - 6:55pm | @ Ascent 1. blue water drop in blue circle with white background- it sounds good and assuming that the core 4 have water as a major component in their body chemistry that could make good sense- the med kit doesn't state this but just carrying saline solution is a major medical supply- it can dilute acid, cool off heat related injuries, replace lost blood volume, irrigate wounds, wash out eyes and etc. I would guess that there would be a high likelihood that water or saline solution would be valuable to treating all of the core 4. However, would they want a blue symbol if their great claim to fame was connected to the Blue plague? Or would they intentionally choose blue as a reminder to everyone how important they are and that the UPF should keep them well funded? 2. I hear your arguement about the weaponry and think a case can be made that the Frontier is dangerous and just incase of pirates a MSO ship should have basic defensive measures. However, I'd be all for stripping it down to just a LB, keep the speed and MR as its mission is to get to hotspots fast and intervene. its got 2 workpods to deal with wrecked ships and it might make more sense to delete most weaponry to explain the presence of 2 workpods and a launch (normally you see that much vehicle activity on something the size of a frigate). 3. as for some weaponry- you have to have some- its designed to go into hazardous environments and some planets have aggressive fauna- besides with it being paid for with UPF creds and Space Fleet being able to take it over any time they need it'd have to have something I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
December 23, 2010 - 4:47pm | 1. 99% of all life depends on water. Rationalize the blue color how you like. Most life would evolve on a planet with enough water to associate the color blue with it, and being scientifically advanced, they would know that water reflects the ultraviolet spectrum. And seeing as the MSO started out dealing with the blue plague, yes, it is logical that a ship dealing with a plague by that name would be marked with the color blue. 2. Pirates need medical treatment too and would know that a small ship like the Rescue Scout wouldn't possess enough medical supplies to make a bounty from and since it's medical, they wouldn't expect much credits traveling on it either. Also, I think in such a far future, they would develop some non-lethal means of handling pirates; not always effective, but could deter the smaller, less well-equipped bands of pirates. Non-lethal means exist now to deter pirates. 3. They would likely develop non-lethal means of protection on a rescue mission, such as a portable screen machine comparible to vehicle screens that covers the entire party while tending to victims. Also, the one security person along on the trip would be more than enough to keep the local creatures at bay as long as no aggressive actions are taken. Perhaps they would even have a device to mask their scents and maybe generate a universally unpleasant odor, likely attached to the security screen and therefore providing the odor the electrical means in the air. View my profile for a list of articles I have written, am writing, will write. "It's yo' mama!" —Wicket W. Warrick, Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi "That guy's wise." —Logray, Star Wars Ep.VI: Return of the Jedi Do You Wanna Date My Avatar? - Felicia Day (The Guild) |
December 23, 2010 - 5:39pm | I like the portable screen idea- I like it alot in fact a man portable vehcile inertia screen will find its way into equipment inventory. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
December 23, 2010 - 10:41pm | So are you all still trying to say that their is too much offensive weaponry on the ships inventroy? Stunners, and needlers- for subdual purposes, 1 auto rifle and 1 laser rifle for close encounters of the hostile kind of need to keep the laser battery for the first phase of the adventure I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
December 27, 2010 - 3:35pm | Could the laser battery be switch out for some sort of directional EMP device? Though I'm thinking such a device would require matter to be between the two ships. I'm not sure how they work. A directional EMP could help deter boarding attempts. View my profile for a list of articles I have written, am writing, will write. "It's yo' mama!" —Wicket W. Warrick, Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi "That guy's wise." —Logray, Star Wars Ep.VI: Return of the Jedi Do You Wanna Date My Avatar? - Felicia Day (The Guild) |
December 27, 2010 - 3:57pm | I think the tried and true LB is the ticket at it's off the shelf tech (keeps cost down to use it) and the very minimun you can expect for any ship to defend itself is a LB. I dont like having a ship with weapons automatically makes it a warship even an armed merchant man still is not a proper warship. with the rescue scout being in effect a ship commissioned by the UPF through the MSO they'd grab it immediately for Space Fleet if the sathar showed up thus at least one LB will make sense. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
January 3, 2011 - 3:47pm | They wouldn't grab it for battle. Like any military, they'd grab it for survivor detail. Militaries don't abandon medicine, they embrace it. The last thing they want is a medical frigate being targeted because its carrying weapons. That's why sea-based medical ships don't carry weapons of any kind, even in war. Once they carry a weapon, they ARE considered military and open to reprisal. Do you think an enemy would hesitate to take out a ship with a LB and minimum defenses? But it is your campaign (or article), I'm just saying how I'd do it. Though, sense there is no agreement between the UPF and the Sathar for anything, there is no guarantee. View my profile for a list of articles I have written, am writing, will write. "It's yo' mama!" —Wicket W. Warrick, Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi "That guy's wise." —Logray, Star Wars Ep.VI: Return of the Jedi Do You Wanna Date My Avatar? - Felicia Day (The Guild) |
January 3, 2011 - 3:53pm | Just to be thorough, I'd like to add that weapons on ships are standard adventurer/mercenary choices or for ships that pass through high risk regions. Thus it's a concept we, as the roleplayers adventuring on those ships, are accustomed to. But, just because it's part of our roleplaying experience, doesn't mean its Frontier-wide. Remember, our characters are but a few among millions or billions of Frontier citizens who are farming, going to work, and otherwise engaging in harmless pursuits day in and day out like our real lives. It would not likely be standard on civilian ships. Most ships would be without weapons, even in wartime. View my profile for a list of articles I have written, am writing, will write. "It's yo' mama!" —Wicket W. Warrick, Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi "That guy's wise." —Logray, Star Wars Ep.VI: Return of the Jedi Do You Wanna Date My Avatar? - Felicia Day (The Guild) |
January 3, 2011 - 5:34pm | Alright hows this for a compromise: its a Space Fleet vessel on loan to the MSO for this mission. the assault rockets were off loaded. The astrogator is the corporate loaner since he's protecting proprietary knowledge (the system's jump route). The captian is a desk officer from Space Fleet who is on loan to the MSO and is hoping to rehab his carreer (prior screw up landed him in a no where job) by commanding this vessel. The security officer signed up with the MSO for a reason he cant really explain (bordom since retiring fromt he Royal Marines) Engineer has experience as a merchant spacer and just took this gig for the pay check Doctor- maybe an idealist out to save the universe Scientist- classic egg head, often fascinated by things that can and will kill him. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
January 4, 2011 - 10:59am | I like this crew already. "Hey guys I wonder what this does"-Famous last words "Hey guys, I think it's friendly." -Famous last words "You go on ahead, I'll catch up." -Famous last words "Did you here that?" -Famous last words |
January 4, 2011 - 6:36pm | I like this crew already. I was writing fiction to sort of set a flavor and introduce the different aspects of the adventure and since fiction has characters I figured that some pre gen characters for the adventure would be nice. I think I'll try to write each piece of fiction from a different character's point of view. Try to bring each character to life so to speak. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
January 5, 2011 - 5:20pm | Where's the do-gooder explorer? A rescue ship needs someone fit for trudging through jungles and other environments and helping the others to survive, don't you think? Or are they only for space rescues? View my profile for a list of articles I have written, am writing, will write. "It's yo' mama!" —Wicket W. Warrick, Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi "That guy's wise." —Logray, Star Wars Ep.VI: Return of the Jedi Do You Wanna Date My Avatar? - Felicia Day (The Guild) |
January 5, 2011 - 8:07pm | Where's the do-gooder explorer? A rescue ship needs someone fit for trudging through jungles and other environments and helping the others to survive, don't you think? Or are they only for space rescues? I would think that a retired Royal Marine could handle trudging through a jungle- quite possibly they take 1 lvl of enviroment skill just for the tracking and stuff. The scientist will have high levels in environment skill which makes him a bit of a crocadile dundee with some of the subskills. but a field scientist will have some skills. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
January 8, 2011 - 2:34pm | That could work. I was thinking of the aid-worker type, like Awesome from the show Chuck. View my profile for a list of articles I have written, am writing, will write. "It's yo' mama!" —Wicket W. Warrick, Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi "That guy's wise." —Logray, Star Wars Ep.VI: Return of the Jedi Do You Wanna Date My Avatar? - Felicia Day (The Guild) |
