Example Roles & Actions
Source GM Core pg. 231
Most starships have a common array of roles, though depending on the scene, you might create new or niche roles that are appropriate to the narrative. The following are examples of common starship roles the PCs can occupy.
Captain: A leader in a tense situation. The captain's role is to provide instruction and guidance to their crew while also reciting some inspiring speeches or demoralizing quips to enemy starship crews.
Engineer: A technical expert who focuses on keeping the starship running. They divert power to specific starship systems and can complete battlefield repairs.
Gunner: Gunners fire starship weapons. Whether it's unleashing a swarm of missiles or letting loose with a crackling blast of magitech electricity, gunners operate the myriad weapon systems of a starship and target threats in most starship scenes.
Magic Officer: Some starships possess esoteric systems powered by one or more of the magical traditions. Operating a magical scrying sensor or taking part in a ritual within the bowels of the vessel to increase combat capabilities are just some of the many actions this special crew role might take.
Pilot: Pilots move the ship and dictate its course. Most of the time, this movement will be achieved through a Piloting check, which might be attempted to navigate a hazard or to perform a specific maneuver in tense scenes. In longer starship scenes, a pilot might Plot a Course to navigate to a region to trigger an additional phase of a scene.
Science Officer: Employing high-tech sensors or personal knowledge, the science officer manages the tasks of scanning interstellar objects and operating certain technical aspects of the ship. They might use Computers as part of these actions or a specific Lore skill to Recall Knowledge to assist in an encounter.
Niche Roles: A catch-all for different roles onboard a starship that might not be common in most scenes but could be important to a specific scene. You might have a cook role representing the actions of a favored NPC onboard the ship who provides a small bonus or a corporate representative who can use their negotiating skills to assist in an encounter.
Captain: A leader in a tense situation. The captain's role is to provide instruction and guidance to their crew while also reciting some inspiring speeches or demoralizing quips to enemy starship crews.
Engineer: A technical expert who focuses on keeping the starship running. They divert power to specific starship systems and can complete battlefield repairs.
Gunner: Gunners fire starship weapons. Whether it's unleashing a swarm of missiles or letting loose with a crackling blast of magitech electricity, gunners operate the myriad weapon systems of a starship and target threats in most starship scenes.
Magic Officer: Some starships possess esoteric systems powered by one or more of the magical traditions. Operating a magical scrying sensor or taking part in a ritual within the bowels of the vessel to increase combat capabilities are just some of the many actions this special crew role might take.
Pilot: Pilots move the ship and dictate its course. Most of the time, this movement will be achieved through a Piloting check, which might be attempted to navigate a hazard or to perform a specific maneuver in tense scenes. In longer starship scenes, a pilot might Plot a Course to navigate to a region to trigger an additional phase of a scene.
Science Officer: Employing high-tech sensors or personal knowledge, the science officer manages the tasks of scanning interstellar objects and operating certain technical aspects of the ship. They might use Computers as part of these actions or a specific Lore skill to Recall Knowledge to assist in an encounter.
Niche Roles: A catch-all for different roles onboard a starship that might not be common in most scenes but could be important to a specific scene. You might have a cook role representing the actions of a favored NPC onboard the ship who provides a small bonus or a corporate representative who can use their negotiating skills to assist in an encounter.