Children of the Stars

It is 1983. The space shuttle has been flying for two years. Michael Jackson’s Thriller tops the US album charts. W and Z particles discovered at CERN. The last-ever episode of M*A*S*H is screened. The CD player is released. Pioneer 10 crosses the orbit of Pluto. Return of the Jedi completes the Star Wars trilogy. Over a million people demonstrate against nuclear weapons at a Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament march in London, England. A baboon embryo is successfully ‘conceived’ in a laboratory dish in San Antonio, Texas. ARPANET is moves to TCP/IP. The Soviet shuttle Soyuz T-10 explodes on launch. The first version of Microsoft Word is released.

And in December, the 1983 UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Science Conference is held in Geneva, Switzerland.

Cast

  • Dr Abdaluni: NASA’s Chief Scientist. Mid 40s.

  • Dr Bakker: A scientist working for the US defence contractor Shark Systems Inc. Mid 30s.

  • General Billings: Head of the USA’s Department of Extra-Terrestrial Defense (DETD). Mid 60s.

  • Dr Blake: Head of the US’s Xenobiology Forensic Investigation of Life and Extra-terrestrial Science Working Group. Early 70s.

  • Dr Chén: Administrator in the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology. Mid 40s.

  • Jackson: A retired bounty hunter. Mid 60s.

  • McDonald: Newly-appointed US government Chief Science Director. Early 50s.

  • Dr Russo: US science advisor. Mid 30s.

  • Saito: Hosata Manufacturing executive. Late 20s.

  • Sánchez: An intern at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at Caltech. Mid 20s.

  • Dr Sokolov: Director at the USSR Academy of Sciences. Mid 30s.

  • Dr Visser: UNESCO Deputy Science Director. Mid 40s.

  • Dr Wescott: UK science advisor. Mid 40s.

A 3-hour freeform larp for 13 players by Steve Hatherley.

Rules for Children of the Stars

There are no mechanics in Children of the Stars. Please see a GM if you wish to carry out an action, and they will adjudicate what happens.

Items: You have whatever you would expect your character to have. There are a few exceptions, which are specifically mentioned on character sheets.

Locations: To visit a location, see a GM.

Contingencies: Some characters have contingency envelopes—as we're playing online, these will be managed by the GM.

Online play: Only play will use Discord.

Stars and wishes: As part of the feedback for Children of the Stars, I will ask you for a star(s) and a wish.

  • Stars: Give a star to someone and tell them what they did that was so great.

  • Wishes: What you would like to see more of.

Stars and wishes were originally described in this Gauntlet post for tabletop rpgs.

The future: Children of the Earth is the third episode in one of a series of linked freeforms with the working title of The Fermi Solution. Events and actions in Children of the Earth will affect future episodes. After each episode, I will ask for feedback that will shape future episodes. You do not need to have played previous episodes to enjoy Children of the Earth.

Some characters may appear in multiple episodes.

As there are in-game secrets that persist between episodes, I would be grateful if you could refrain from the usual post-game sharing of secrets and goals to avoid spoiling future episodes.

Although each episode will stand alone, I hope you enjoy it enough to play future episodes.

Concepts and Assumptions

Here are some of my concepts and assumptions for Children of the Earth.

  • Equivalent cinema rating: U or PG.

  • Genre and tone: Dramatic, rather than an action movie or horror. Serious, but not solemn.

  • PvP: Some. The characters are pre-written and some of their personal agendas will come into conflict.

  • Secrets: Some characters have secrets, and the game uses contingency envelopes to reveal knowledge at key moments (to avoid excessive foreshadowing).

  • Powers/abilities: None.

  • Body horror and gore: Mild.

  • Verisimilitude: None—theatre of the mind only. (Although appropriate costuming welcome!)

  • Sexuality/sexual violence: None.

  • Characters: Pre-written with background consisting of past events and information about other characters, along with their objectives. Players will choose their own genders, pronouns and first names. They will play those characters as they choose. Character sheets are typically 1500 words or so.

CATS

CATS (concept-aim-tone-subject matter) is used by tabletop RPGs to set expectations. It was developed by Patrick O'Leary.

  • Concept: In Children of the Stars the characters decide which far-reaching science projects to invest in, while deciding what to do about a new alien encounter. The game has two scenes - an initial scene where the players are in small groups, and then the science convention in Geneva.

  • Aim: Players take the part of attendees at the science convention. Each character has several objectives which they are trying to achieve—some of those objectives conflict. At the end of the game, recommendations will be made as to which science projects will be funded.

  • Tone: Dramatic (not action movie, comedy or horror). Serious, but not solemn.

  • Subject matter: Aliens, secrets, science, UFO tropes.