DRAFT GAME FINAL UPDATE TO BE ANNOUNCED PRIOR TO NOVEMBER EVENT - Quest Adventure Gaming, 2019 - Outbound Hope
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CHAPTER I
GAME
DRAFT
FINAL UPDATE TO BE ANNOUNCED PRIOR TO NOVEMBER EVENT
© Quest Adventure Gaming, 2019
...AD ASTRA
PAGE 1USSC NAVAL HANDBOOK (2219 Edition)
OOC
INTRODUCTION
The Outbound Hope Mission is a multi-day, live-action role-playing
event intended to give players the realistic, immersive experience of
being aboard a space-bound starship. Hosted within the interior of the
decommissioned USS Edson in Bay City, Michigan, players will be en-
gaged in three days of exciting science-fiction adventures and mis-
sions. For the duration of the event, the Edson will be outfitted to
serve as the Ascendant Dawn, a military vessel leading a fleet of colo-
nists into the unknown. With a crew of over 100 individuals, players
will need to work together – and against each other – to fulfill duties
and objectives unique to their character.
PLAYER VERSUS CHARACTER
Throughout these rules, the terms “player” and “character” will be used de-
liberately. These terms are not interchangeable; “Player” implies the actual
individual participating in the experience. “Character” implies the fictional
persona a player is meant to be carrying out. Certain situations may affect a
player but not the character and vice versa.
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PAGE 2CHAPTER 1: GAME RULES
IN AND OUT-OF-CHARACTER
Throughout the Outbound
KEY POINTS: Hope experience, players will be
asked to remain “in character” as
OOC
◼ Out-of-Character (OOC) much as possible. For the sake of
actions should be kept to a immersion, players are asked to car-
minimum. ry out the persona of their assigned
◼ A call of “GAME HOLD!” character as much as feasibly possi-
will temporarily suspend ble. Interactions – from conversa-
gameplay to resolve dan- tions to conflicts – should be isolat-
gerous OOC situations. A ed to in-game experiences.
call of “GAME ON!” will
resume game functions As such, they should also be
understood within an in-character
◼ Bright orange is used to
context: A conflict between two
designate OOC items, loca-
characters should never be inter-
tions, or individuals, and
should be inconspicuously preted as a conflict between two
ignored by players. players. Players are encouraged to
refer to each other by their charac-
ter names and should avoid out-of-
character distractions – such as personal electronic devices – as much
as possible.
That being said, there are instances when breaking character is
essential to the safety and well-being of players. In the event a player
becomes injured or is in a situation where injury is possible, any player
involved in the situation may call out “GAME HOLD!” At this time, all
players within earshot should instantly break character, take a knee,
and echo the “GAME HOLD” call. This should allow the at risk-player to
move out of the dangerous situation or seek necessary medical help. If
warranted, another player can – and should – seek out a member of
the Outbound staff. Once the situation has resolved itself, the player
who originally called for the hold (or, if they are removed, any other
player nearby) may call out “3… 2… 1… GAME ON!” At this point, all
paused characters may resume gameplay as if no time has passed. A
“GAME ON” call should similarly be echoed.
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PAGE 3USSC NAVAL HANDBOOK (2219 Edition)
OUTBOUND STAFF
Outbound staff will frequent the play area for the sake of maintaining safety,
story, and continuity. Whenever this happens, their costume will reflect OOC
rules and will also be marked with orange. Unless deliberately speaking to a
player, Outbound staff should be ignored by characters. Though typically
OOC
dressed as the ship’s maintenance staff, there is no in-character reason to
engage them in any major way. Should a player need something or have a
concern, staff members are happy to assist.
When items, locations, or individuals must be placed out of play,
they will be marked by Outbound staff with the color orange. Areas
clearly marked by bright orange should therefore be inconspicuously
avoided by characters while in-play. An orange object should never be
used, and a door marked orange should never be entered.
LOCKERS
Inside all berthing (sleeping) areas, players will be given two lockers – one for
in-character (IC) items and props and the other for out-of-character (OOC)
personal items. These lockers will be issued upon player sign-in at the event.
The IC locker should be used for any in-character items a player has access to
and – being in-character – can be viewed, broken into, and stolen from by
other characters. While theft from an IC locker is not OOC illegal, it should
cause a character to report the incident to ship security. IC locker locks are
provided by Outbound Hope staff. Players will be given the key to these locks
along with the character badges at sign-in.
OOC lockers are strictly for OOC personal items — wallets, keys, electronic
devices, etc.. At no point should an OOC locker – appropriately marked with
orange – be broken into or stolen from. Such an act would immediately be
considered both an OOC offense and a violation of Michigan State law and
should be referred to game staff. OOC storage areas may never be used to
hide or maintain IC items – an act that would also be considered an OOC
offense. Players are asked to provide their own OOC lock, though Quest Ad-
venture Gaming and the USS Edson reserve the right to remove a player’s
lock — via bolt cutters if necessary — should the need arise. Players are
strongly encouraged not to carry their OOC locker key — if any — along with
their IC key.
Quest Adventure Gaming and the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum (USS
Edson) are not responsible for personal items left in lockers.
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PAGE 4CHAPTER 1: GAME RULES
PLAYER ROLES AND ABILITIES
Unlike many live action and
KEY POINTS: tabletop roleplaying games, Out-
bound Hope does not restrict play-
OOC
◼ If a player can carry out a ers to specific sets of skills and abili-
task within other rule limits
ties. Generally, if a player is capable
it is permissible.
of doing something, they are per-
◼ Major differences between mitted to carry it out so long as it
characters are determined does not physically harm them-
by rank and role – both selves or other players and does not
determined by a player’s violate additional rule limitations.
character sheet.
Generally, characters are orga-
◼ Military and non-military
nized and differentiated by two ma-
characters will exist within
a hierarchy of rank; Re- jor characteristics: Rank and Role.
specting (or in some cases Given the military nature of the As-
ignoring) the chain-of- cendant Dawn and her occupants,
command will be an essen- rank will play a major part in estab-
tial part of roleplay. lishing both characters and their
storylines. Military characters will
◼ The responsibilities of a
all begin with a specific rank that
character’s role will be ex-
plained during tutorial ses- places them somewhere within the
sions prior to the game’s military hierarchy. Whenever possi-
start. Players will have am- ble, characters should make an
ple time to learn the skills effort to respect the general chain-
needed to carry out their of-command, adhering to the or-
duties. ders of those above them and
◼ It is possible to allow a
demonstrating superiority over
character to change roles if those below them. While occasional
another character teaches disobedience towards superiors is
them the necessary skills. permissible – especially if it is a trait
Characters new to a role determined by the character’s back-
should never be perceived ground – such actions should draw
as being more capable than penalties from higher-ups. For a full
those who originally began breakdown of USSC and USOM
within that class. ranks, see the appendix.
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PAGE 5USSC NAVAL HANDBOOK (2219 Edition)
GAINING RANK
Acts of great service and heroism are always to be rewarded, and it is possi-
ble for players to be awarded with a greater rank while serving in the line of
duty. This should not be commonplace, however, and generally requires the
permission of the fleet’s Admiral. When this happens, the character will earn
OOC
the respect and prestige of her new rank.
While civilian characters do not fall within the military hierarchy,
they also possess a notable chain of command. Especially within the
Civilian Government, the Governor will act as the highest official, with
lesser officials ranking beneath them. Civilian colonists have very little
authority and are generally placed below all others. Their obedience to
the military’s ranking system is purely optional, as they have no per-
sonal background or interest in it.
LEADERSHIP OF THE FLEET
As a general rule, the three highest-ranking characters aboard the Ascendant
Dawn are the Fleet Admiral, the Civilian Governor, and the Ascendant Dawn’s
captain (who ranks below the admiral). Conversions between military and
civilian rank are left deliberately ambiguous and should ultimately create ten-
sion between characters. After all, who really leads the fleet – the Governor
or the Admiral?
In addition to rank, characters will also have a specific role that
helps to define their activities within the fleet. Some characters will be
engineers or scientists, while others will be crew members or officers.
A crew member may be ranked as an Ensign, but possess his role of
helmsman of the Ascendant Dawn. In every case, they will be tasked
with a set of responsibilities as outlined in their character sheets.
The ability to perform these responsibilities will depend greatly on
the training session that each character will receive before the com-
mencement of the event. In the hours before game time, players will
be teamed with Outbound staff members according to character roles.
In some cases, this may involve familiarizing players with specific props
or locations, while others will be introduced to specific software essen-
tial to their character. In every case, these tutorials will allow a player
time to gain the necessary expertise to do their job well once the mis-
sion begins.
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PAGE 6CHAPTER 1: GAME RULES
Because these skills depend almost exclusively on the ability to
carry them out, it is possible that – as the game progresses – charac-
ters may instruct others in how to do their job. In this way, it is possi-
ble that a civilian colonist could be drafted into the USSC to assist a
gunnery terminal – an important opportunity if the existing gunners
OOC
are unavailable. Many players — including those in civilian and com-
mand roles — may already be trained in tasks during pre-game tutori-
als to correspond to past backstory. For the purposes of roleplay, such
opportunities present challenges in-character; Reassignment should be
met with opposition or support from others and always with the per-
mission of those in authority. Most importantly, shifting characters
into a new role should never give them superiority to those who were
originally assigned that role. A colonist-turned-engineer should
attempt to be less-skilled than the engineers who began in that role,
even if it means roleplaying a degree of incompetence.
HEALTH & HEALTH STATUSES
A voyage of exploration and
KEY POINTS: discovery like the Outbound Hope
Mission is sure to bring with it a
◼ Character ailments are rep-
host of potential injuries and condi-
resented by three Medical
tions affecting the overall health of
Categories (Physical Injury,
Infection/Poisoning, Radia- its participants.
tion) over four Health Stat- Negative medical conditions are
ues (Healthy, Sick/Injured,
represented in Outbound Hope by a
Incapactitated, Dead).
total of three Medical Categories
◼ Health Statuses are not (Physical Injury, Infection/Poisoning,
permanent, and demand or Radiation) and four Health Sta-
specific roleplay require- tuses (Healthy, Sick/Injured, Inca-
ments (see next page). pacitated, Dead). None of the
◼ If untreated, non-healthy Health Statuses – even death – is
Health Statuses will pro- ever permanent, with numerous
gress to the next State opportunities to move into and out
after 10 minutes. of each. All characters start as
Healthy, with no Damage Levels in
any Medical Category.
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PAGE 7USSC NAVAL HANDBOOK (2219 Edition)
Health Statuses have important roleplay effects on the player:
CHARACTER Health Statuses: EFFECTS
HEALTHY
OOC
Healthy characters are unrestricted by medical conditions and
have unlimited movement. They can carry out normal duties and
tasks without difficulty.
A sick or wounded character has been in some way injured, poi-
WOUNDED
soned, or otherwise negatively affected by another character or
SICK or
the environment around them. Sick or wounded characters have
limited movement, requiring them to limp, clutch a limb, or com-
plain of severe internal pain (depending on the cause of their con-
dition). Their ability to perform tasks is extremely limited. Charac-
ters in this State cannot operate their console, use a weapon, etc,
without the assistance of another character (see next page).
INCAPACI-
TATED
An incapacitated character’s injuries have progressed to the point
of unconsciousness. At this point, they are fully immobile, and are
completely unable to perform duties or tasks. They have very little
awareness of what is going on around them.
A dead character has no awareness of their surroundings, no
DEAD
movement, and no signs of life.
For all intents and purposes, “He’s dead, Jim…”
Progressing from the first to second status – that is, from “healthy”
to “sick” or “wounded” – can come about through several means: typi-
cally combat injury, disease, or hazardous atmospheric conditions. In
some rare circumstances, additional causes can be announced by an
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PAGE 8CHAPTER 1: GAME RULES
attending Outbound staff member. Such damage can come from any
of the three Medical Categories, but all result in the sick/injured status.
Note that a character who is hurt during roleplay or gameplay in a way
that is not life-threatening – a black eye, a head cold – is considered to
be healthy. Moving into the sick/wounded status phase requires a
OOC
player to roleplay limited movement and an impairment in the ability
to complete tasks, regardless of the cause (that is, an injured character
has the same rule requirements as an irradiated one), though a play-
er’s roleplay should better reflect the original cause (clutching the re-
cently shot limb or feigning extreme nausea, for instance).
Unfortunately, any ailment will progress if left untreated. All char-
acters will have skills that allow them to perform Stabilization, a type
of first aid, for one or more of the three medical categories. Stabiliza-
tion is one key to returning a player to a Healthy State. If a character is
not Stabilized, they progress down the Health Statuses after a set
amount of time.
If a Sick/Injured character is not Stabilized within 10 minutes of the
initial injury, the character becomes Incapacitated. Alternatively, if a
character who is in a Sick/Injured State takes additional severe damage
of any Medical Category, they immediately become Incapacitated
If an Incapacitated character is not Stabilized within 10 minutes of
reaching Incapacitated, the character becomes Dead. Alternatively, if
an Incapacitated character takes additional severe damage of any
Medical Category while in this Health Status, they immediately be-
come Dead. In-character, if a Dead individual is not restored via BioBed
within 72 hours, they have been killed permanently — though this is
impossible for a player given the limited event time.
OFFERING HELP
“Help” is a dedicated action where a present healthy character may choose to
take direction or directly assist a Sick/Injured character to complete tasks
otherwise restricted to the latter character’s role. So long as a Sick/Injured
character hasn’t become Incapacitated they may continue to guide Help.
Roleplay during this time is expected to reflect the difficulties of performing a
task outside of one’s training, as well as the all the severe pain, nausea, etc.
of trying to keep working while suffering life-threatening condition.
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PAGE 9USSC NAVAL HANDBOOK (2219 Edition)
STABILIZATION & TREATMENT
Stabilization is key to pre-
KEY POINTS: venting the progression of damage
to a character. All healthy charac-
◼
OOC
Any Healthy character can
ters have the ability to “Stabilize”
Stabilize a character with a
Physical Injury through
another suffering from a physical
appropriate roleplay for injury or an incapacitated state re-
one minute. sulting from a physical injury;
Healthy medical-trained characters
◼ Healthy medical-trained can additionally Stabilize infected,
characters can Stabilize and
poisoned, or irradiated characters.
Treat any known Health
Status from any medical To do this, the Stabilizing char-
category. acter must maintain close proximity
◼ Stabilization locks a charac- to the victim for at least 1 minute
ter in their current Health and display appropriate roleplay --
Status, preventing decline. applying pressure to the wound,
Treatment returns a char- “dosing” with game-provided props
acter to a more favorable like medicines or faux injections,
Health Status. etc.. Once completed, the patient
◼ Medical Treatment is exclu- will be Stabilized, and progression
sive to medical personnel, to the next status will be halted in-
and varies slightly between definitely. If the Stabilizing charac-
medical categories ter is stopped or redirected to an-
(Physical Injury, Infected/ other task (or victim), the ten-
Poisoned, Irradiated). minute progression timer will begin
◼ Treatment options include approximately where it left off. This
use of the HADTU, extend- rule is slightly altered in any of the
ed surgery (roleplay) and Ascendant Dawn’s medical facilities,
— in cases of death — use where medical-based characters
of the BioBed. may can Stabilize or Treat up to
three characters at a time.
While useful, Stabilization does little more than lock a character in
his or her current state. Treatment refers to bringing characters back
to more favorable Health Statuses – ideally returning them to full
health. This can be achieved in a variety of ways.
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DETERMINING A DIAGNOSIS
For obvious reasons, character ailments will not always be visible to other
players. A gunshot wound – which would realistically be clearly visible – may
need to be narrated rather than viewed. Any character may approach a sick/
wounded or incapacitated character and quietly declare “MEDICAL CHECK.” If
OOC
the character in question has been damaged by a physical wound, their play-
er may then describe the wound out-of-character to the checking player.
Otherwise, they should merely declare “non-wound.” If
the checking player is playing a medical character,
the sick/wounded or incapacitated character can
freely describe the ailment in whatever form.
Note that medical characters’ uniforms will al-
ways incorporate patches with the appropriate
cross symbol shown on the left.
While Physical Injury Stabilization is an op-
tion open to any healthy player, all other Sta-
bilizations and all Treatments require medical
specialists exclusively. All Stabilizing or Treating char-
acters must be in good health themselves, since such an act would be
prevented by the existence of a negative Health Status.
In the Treatment of character ailments, Stabilization and Treat-
ment break down along the following categories:
THE THREE MEDICAL CATEGORIES
PHYSICAL Infection/
RADIATION
INJURY POISONing
◼ Physical Injury: Anyone on the Outbound Hope
Mission already has the basic training required to Stabilize an-
other’s physical injury. All Treatment, however, must be conduct-
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PAGE 11USSC NAVAL HANDBOOK (2219 Edition)
ed by a medical professional (hospital corpsman, marine medic, or
chief medical officer). Only characters in the appropriate medical
classes will be able to conduct these tasks.
◼ Infected/Poisoned: All Stabilization and Treat-
OOC
ment must be conducted by a medical professional. Only charac-
ters in the appropriate medical classes will be able to conduct
these tasks.
◼ Irradiated: All Stabilization and Treatment must be con-
ducted by a medical professional. Only characters in the appropri-
ate medical classes will be able to conduct these tasks.
Treatment Options
Medical characters will have a number of Treatment options at
their disposal, each with various advantages and disadvantages:
◼ HADTU (Handheld Augmented Diagnostic & Treatment Unit)
The use of a HADTU device requires medical personnel and the
HADTU prop. The character is healed of the Treated Damage Type
5 minutes after the HADTU dispenses nanomaterials specific to the
category of ailment sustained. Each HADTU will have limited charg-
es for each of its nanomaterial types, and is a consumable re-
source. Specific usage information will be given to medical person-
nel during tutorial.
◼ Surgery or Extended Treatment
This is active care roleplay, for 30 minutes, and requires appropri-
ate props. It may be surgery, administering drugs via IV, Treatment
with handheld devices, etc. The medical personnel administering
extended Treatment cannot leave the patient during the 30 mi-
nute period without resetting the timer and returning the charac-
ter to their previous state. This is a one-on-one interaction, with
one patient and one medical specialist. The exception to this is in
the MedBay, where sophisticated equipment allows one medical
specialist to Treat (or Stabilize) up to 3 patients simultaneously.
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PAGE 12CHAPTER 1: GAME RULES
“
Introducing the HADTU (Handheld Augmented Diagnostic
& Treatment Unit)! Brought to you by TraumaTek Industries!
Diagnoses and Dispenses Specific Materials for Field Expedient Medical
Care! Works with individual patient’s personal nanotech to rapidly diag-
OOC
nose and develop immediate custom treatments for debilitating and life-
threatening conditions. Using the latest in TraumaTek Gen6 Nanotech,
the HADTU dispenses programmable materials your TraumaTek Nanites
can employ to repair nearly the full range of human injury. This is the
”
industry’s most advanced and reliable system and puts
your personnel back where they belong!
◼ BioBed
Despite their high degree of sophistication, no nanobots or drugs
can restore the dead. In this case, the only solution is the BioBed,
which cannot be used on a living patient. The BioBed works with
each character’s internal passive nanonetwork to restore the char-
acter to a full Healthy state. The BioBed has two modes; Scan or
Repair. In Scan mode, the BioBed writes the character’s complete
State, including current memories, to their personal nanonetwork.
In Repair mode, the Biobed restores the character biologically to
their last nanonetwork recorded state.
The restoration process of the BioBed takes less than 5 minutes.
The body must be placed into the device, requiring the player to be
present at (if not in) the prop. When the player emerges, they are
Healthy but have no memory of events since their last BioScan.
In most instances, this will require a significant amount of roleplay,
since a player may be asked to ignore critical – and recently acquired –
information. For all Outbound Hope personnel, their last scan was
within the 72 hours before the launch of the Mission. If a new scan
does not take place before death, the character will return to life be-
lieving that the mission had not yet passed through the Bifröst Station.
Medical staff will be trained – during the tutorials – about how to
properly scan player information. Human nanonetworks are only able
to update with a scan once every 12 hours.
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PAGE 13USSC NAVAL HANDBOOK (2219 Edition)
Medical Flowchart
HEALTHY
◼ Unlimited Movement
OOC
◼ Normal Duties and Tasks
PHYSICAL INFECTION/
IRRADIATION
WOUND POISONING
SICK/WOUNDED
◼ Restricted Movement
◼ Limited Task Performance Only
◼ Normal Duties may resume with 1:1 Help from a Healthy Character
10 MIN. W/OUT PHYSICAL INFECTION/
IRRADIATION
STABILIZATION WOUND POISONING
INCAPACITATED
◼ Partial to Full Unconsciousness
◼ No Movement
◼ Unable to Perform Duties or Tasks
10 MIN. W/OUT PHYSICAL INFECTION/
IRRADIATION
STABILIZATION WOUND POISONING
DEAD
◼ Complete Unconsciousness, lack of awareness of surroundings
◼ No Movement
◼ Unable to perform Duties or Tasks
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PAGE 14CHAPTER 1: GAME RULES
OOC
SURGERY
HADTU USAGE
RP, Heals after
Heals in 5 Min.
30 min.
STABILIZATION
(1 Min RP) PREVENTS
PROGRESSION TO DEAD
(Medical Only)
SURGERY
HADTU USAGE
RP, Heals after
Heals in 5 Min.
30 min.
STABILIZATION
(1 Min RP) PREVENTS
PROGRESSION TO DEAD
(Medical Only)
USE OF THE BIOBED (USSC NAVAL HANDBOOK (2219 Edition)
COMBAT Systems
Outbound Hope uses three
KEY POINTS: separate combat systems, depend-
◼
ing on the situation: Passive com-
OOC
Combat exists within three
separate systems: Passive, bat, live combat, and starship com-
Live, and Starship. bat.
◼ Players are asked to curb As the Outbound Hope Mis-
on-ship combat as much as sion strongly emphasizes interper-
possible for safety con- sonal conflicts, stories, and relation-
cerns. ships between characters, combat
situations will be less frequent than
in many other forms of live-action role play. Still, there are numerous
occasions that might spark open conflict and violence between player
characters or between player characters and non-player characters.
Conflict situations will play out very differently depending on
whether characters are aboard the Ascendant Dawn (as depicted by
the USS Edson) or an alternative location. Given the concern for safety
and the need to preserve the historical site that is the USS Edson, The
Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum has asked that combat scenarios
be kept off-ship as much as possible. For this reason, most violent en-
counters aboard the Edson will operate off a very different rule set
than in alternative locations, and is known here as “passive combat.”
“Live combat,” involving a much more physical and realistic approach
to combat, is the term used to describe off-site, alternative locations.
Starship combat – the third form of character combat available in Out-
bound Hope – is carried out through a combination of computer soft-
ware simulation and physical character actions.
DISSUADING COMBAT IN CHARACTER
Given that players must curb their desires for on-board combat, characters
can help to explain this by understanding the significant damage a firefight
might cause to a ship’s delicate systems. For all intents and purposes, live
combat aboard a vessel like the Dawn is incredibly risky, as a stray projectile
could sever a life support system or puncture a reactor. Anyone attempting to
start live combat aboard the Dawn should be dissuaded by other characters
present as much as possible – One missed shot could kill everyone!
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PAGE 16CHAPTER 1: GAME RULES
COMBAT SYSTEMS - Passive
OOC
As of the release of this beta version of this ruleset
(August 2019), Outbound Hope Staff are still undergoing
playtesting of passive combat rules.
These rules will be added prior to the event and
will be reflected in all player handbooks.
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PAGE 17USSC NAVAL HANDBOOK (2219 Edition)
COMBAT SYSTEMS - LIVE
Players will be presented with
KEY POINTS: a number of opportunities for off-
◼
ship combat in the form of ship-to-
OOC
Live Combat exists as a
more physical form of com- ship boarding and possible station
bat based on the use of a or planetary landings. While most
infrared laser system. of these types of conflicts will favor
Marine characters, there is always
◼ In Live Combat, each par-
the potential that other individuals
ticipant will be assigned an
could be caught up in these violent
IR-projecting weapon and a
body-mounted receiver, affairs. In these instances, an alter-
largely dependent on their native combat ruleset – referred to
character role. as “live combat” – will occur.
◼ Receivers will keep track of Live combat incorporates the
and display a character’s use of a high-tech infrared-based
armor points. When armor combat system using IR-projecting
points are depleted, the weapons and body-mounted receiv-
character should take a ers. Prior to a live combat instance,
“Physical Injury” and is no
all participating players must be
longer able to fight.
outfitted with receivers and their
◼ Use of melee weapons can weapons. Once the engagement
instantly cause one drop in begins, it will play out in much the
Health Status — despite same way as a typical airsoft or
remaining armor points. In paintball encounter. Each individual
this way, wounded players receives a specific amount of armor
can be accelerated into
points, displayed on a player’s re-
incapacitation and death.
ceiver and determined by the char-
◼ In rare circumstances, live acter type they are playing. Security
combat can take place on personnel will begin with sufficient-
the Edson with GM approv- ly more armor points than typical
al and supervision. When officers, crewmen, or civilians, with
this happens, a call of “Live
Marine personnel having far more
Combat Situation” will be
than security, and OMEGA Troopers
given. Players who do not
wish to participate may having the most. The amount of
evacuate. damage a weapon deals is deter-
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PAGE 18CHAPTER 1: GAME RULES
mined largely by the weapon being used.
THE WEAPONS OF 2219
In character, all ranged weapons still rely upon many of the same technolo-
gies available in the 21st century – that is, they continue to fire projectiles.
While newer methods and technologies have been introduced into the Out-
OOC
bound Hope World, military forces have yet to rely upon lasers, plasma, phas-
ers, etc. to eliminate the enemy. To maintain realism on this point, all IR
weapons will be set to emit appropriate sounds and muzzle flashes.
As soon as both parties – typically
one PC, one NPC – are present in an off-site
location, the combat may break out. Play-
ers will need to aim their IR weapons at
their enemies, striking their sensors. With
each hit, the player’s IR rig will calculate
everything from remaining ammo to availa-
ble armor points. Once a character’s armor
points are depleted, their weapons system will
cease operation, and the character should now be
wounded via “Physical Injury.” Wounded characters will no longer be
able to fight, and will thus need to retreat if still able. Following the
typical medical progression, an untreated wound will eventually cause
incapacitation, and finally death. In this instance, other players may
continue to Stabilize and Treat wounds, though doing so may put them
at significant risk.
Though the vast majority of a live-combat situation involves the IR
weapons system, use of melee weapons can bypass the system alto-
gether. If a player is able to make contact with another player via a
melee weapon (such as a combat knife), it causes the victim to move
down by one Health Status – despite remaining armor points. In this
way, characters may “stab in the back”, or expedite a character’s pro-
gression from wound to incapacitation or incapacitation to death. It is
the responsibility of every player to ensure the safety of others.
While live combat situations almost exclusively occur in locations
other than the USS Edson, there are highly-specified times when live
combat may occur on the ship itself. When this happens, players will
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PAGE 19USSC NAVAL HANDBOOK (2219 Edition)
be notified via an announcement from the ship’s SAI indicating the
commencement of a “Live Combat Situation.” This call will typically
occur long before combat itself is meant to break out, allowing charac-
ters who do not wish to participate ample time to evacuate. GM’s will
typically mark out designated areas to contain the Live Combat en-
OOC
counter. This ensures that players who do not feel physically safe and
able — or simply desire not to — are not obligated to be involved in
the situation. A similar call of “live combat situation now over” will re-
turn the area to a passive combat zone.
COMBAT SYSTEMS - starship
Ship-to-ship combat is the
KEY POINTS: third means of combat, and exists
as a vastly different system from
◼ Starship combat takes
place primarily via terminal the other three. Given that the As-
through the game’s elabo- cendant Dawn, its gunships, and the
rate starship system. remainder of the Outbound Fleet
exist within an elaborate software
◼ Role specifics will be out- network, all ship-to-ship combat
lined to players in the tuto-
will take place through the software
rial sessions.
itself. Characters whose role in-
volves ship control, maintenance,
or weapon use will all play a part in ship-to-ship combat. Role specifics
will be outlined to players in the tutorial sessions at the beginning of
the Outbound gameplay weekend.
While most actions will occur via computer interfaces – including
power allocation, shield allocation, or targeting
with and firing weapons – there are instances
when physical actions and the manipulation of
props will affect the situation within the sim-
ulation software. An engineer repairing a key
power node, for example, could restore a
ship’s shields and bring them back into the
fight. Like software familiarity, these specific
actions will be detailed to players at the time
of tutorials before the event.
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PAGE 20CHAPTER 1: GAME RULES
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Certain situations may cause
KEY POINTS: characters to encounter various
environmental hazards associated
OOC
◼ Environmental hazards can
negatively impact a charac- with the dangers of space travel.
ter’s health. They are typi- When this occurs, hazards will be
cally indicated by a colored indicated by a specifically colored
light within a given space. light to notify players, who should
respond accordingly.
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
INDICATED SUGGESTED
COLOR:
HAZARD: ROLEPLAY:
Gameplay may continue
White/RED/ NO HAZARDS
as normal.
BLUE
Gameplay may continue as normal.
Choking, inhibited
LOW ATMOSPHERE breathing as a result of
low oxygen
GREEN
Health Status decrease by one level for every 60 sec-
onds of exposure (PHYSICAL INJURY). Can be avoided
by use of appropriate protective gear.
Difficulty breathing, se-
TOXIC ATMOSPHERE
vere pain, shaking
YELLOW Health Status decrease by one level for every 60 sec-
onds of exposure (INFECTED/POISONED). Can be
avoided by use of appropriate protective gear.
Nausea, disorientation,
HIGH RADIATION
weakness, fatigue.
UV/
BLACKLIGHT Health Status decrease by one level for every 60 sec-
onds of exposure (IRRADIATED). Can be avoided by
use of appropriate protective gear.
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PAGE 21USSC NAVAL HANDBOOK (2219 Edition)
Green (low atmosphere) and yellow (toxin) lights are typically used
to mark an entire room or region, and thus its effects take place for
everyone within that space. UV (high radiation) lights are typically
emitted from a particular object. In this case, any character within a 10
foot radius from the light source takes the effect of radiation. Typically
OOC
a monitoring GM will supervise any area of environmental hazard. Ad-
ditional hazards may come into play as the game progresses; Present
GMs will explain these conditions when appropriate.
INTERROGATION
In some instances, characters
KEY POINTS: will need to obtain information
◼ Interrogation is allowed, from sources unwilling to give it up.
but only under strict condi- When this happens, a system of
tions. Interrogation may be employed.
Given that this type of roleplay can
◼ A player may — at any time
be uncomfortable to some, it re-
— opt out of an Interroga-
tion, though doing so will quires a highly-specific and manda-
cause them to reveal any tory set of procedures:
information their character
◼ An Outbound Staff Member
may have been hiding.
must be present
◼ Interrogations play to a
character’s “Weakness,” as ◼ The character subject to Inter-
outlined in their character rogation must be restrained or im-
packet. If an Interrogator’s prisoned (in character)
roleplay successfully corre-
sponds to the victim’s ◼ The player must never be made
weakness, they must re- to feel physically or emotionally
veal information. Other- threatened
wise, they make react as
they see fit.
If these conditions are satis-
fied, an Interrogation may begin.
IMPORTANT NOTE ON INTERROGATION:
At any point, a player has the option of “opting-out” of Interrogation by
revealing their information. This immediately ends the Interrogation.
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PAGE 22CHAPTER 1: GAME RULES
OOC
THE THREE WEAKNESSES
PAIN PERSUASION COMFORT
Interrogations play off of a character’s “Weakness,” a trait found
on the “Personnel Profile” page of a player’s character packet. Weak-
nesses are one of three things: Pain, Persuasion, or Comfort. At the
beginning of an Interrogation, an Interrogating player may begin a
roleplayed Interrogation that threatens one of these basic weaknesses
if proper information is not revealed. Appealing to “pain,” for instance,
might take a more aggressive approach, threatening the physical safe-
ty of the character. “Persuasion” might attempt a more logical ap-
proach, outlining the reasons why it might be in the character’s best
interest. “Comfort” effectively “sweet-talks” the character, offering a
more “good cop” approach. The roleplay of the Interrogator should
clearly reflect one of these options.
If the Interrogator’s approach matches the captive’s weakness,
they must reveal the information that the Interrogator seeks for ap-
proximately the next five minutes. While every detail and specific need
not be given, the responses of the captive should be the general truth
as much as possible. If the Interrogator’s approach does not reflect the
captive’s weakness, the captive can respond however they would like –
even feigning fake duress or giving false information if they choose. If
the Interrogator fails to achieve their goal, they may try another Inter-
rogation session a minimum of fifteen minutes from the start of the
prior – No character may be Interrogated more than once every fifteen
minutes, even if a different Interrogator is used.
Given its questionable implications, Interrogation should be seen
as a moral and ethical issue by most characters.
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PAGE 23USSC NAVAL HANDBOOK (2219 Edition)
RESTRAINT & Imprisonment
Situations may arise that re-
KEY POINTS: quire the restraint or imprisonment
of a character. In such instances,
◼
OOC
Characters may be re-
certain rules must be followed in
strained or imprisoned, but
a Player must always be order to allow for maximum safety
able to remove themselves of all players involved.
for safety purposes.
Characters can only be re-
◼ Restraints or imprisonment strained or imprisoned if the corre-
areas must be given or es- sponding player agrees; while it is
tablished by staff, and can- possible to resist, doing so may
not be escaped without cause the injury or death of the
assistance from another character. Even if a character is in-
character. capacitated, the player may not be
restrained against their will.
Restraining a player involves the use of specific props provided by
the Outbound Hope Staff. At no point should an individual be re-
strained by anything other than a Staff-provided prop — especially one
which prevents easy escape in the case of a real-world emergency.
While it is possible to easily break out of Staff-provided props, this fea-
ture is purely for the safety of the player and should be ignored in
roleplay. Restraint props cannot be broken out of by the character in
them; They must seek the
assistance of another char-
acter in order to escape.
Similarly, players may
be imprisoned in specific,
staff-established areas,
which also allow for easy
escape in the event of an
emergency. These, too, can-
not be escaped from with-
out the assistance of anoth-
er character.
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