Hello!

I ran into someone itching to play Alternity, the old Science Fiction RPG TSR released during it's dying gasps, and since I have a collection of material gathering dust, I figured I'd try and run something. I'd start small, just to re-familiarize myself with rules I haven't used since the turn of the century, and see how people enjoyed it, then we'd move on from there to a larger campaign.

Trouble is, we need two things: Players, and a text-based character sheet. Heaven, unfortunately, is lacking in the latter department, and I'm terrible at making these things on my own, so if anyone knows of any, please point me to them. If anyone is interested, feel free to comment below.

Regards,
DevilOfRoses

Interested because my favorite RPG is science fiction of  almost any kind.

Have a character sheet. I'll try to dig up tomorrow.

SITUATION DIE STEPS SCALE (Revised)

_|   -3d20  |  -2d20 |  -d20  |  -d12  |   -d8   |  -d6   |  -d4  |  +d0  |  +d4  |  +d6   |  +d8   |  +d12  |  +d20  |
_|  Nearly  |Gargant-| Gruel- | Formid-|Challeng-|  Hard  | Tough |Average|  Easy |  Very  |Extreme-|  Cake- |  No    |
_|Impossible|  tuan  |  ing   |  able  |   ing   |        |       |       |       |  Easy  | ly Easy|  walk  | Sweat  |
_| -7 steps |-6 steps|-5 steps|-4 steps|-3 steps |-2 steps|-1 step| None  |+1 step|+2 steps|+3 steps|+4 steps|+5 steps|
 <--- Bad (Penalty)                                                                                   Good (Bonus)--->

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Hero's Name: xxxxx          |     Height: x'x"       | Profession:
 Player's Name: xxxxx          |     Weight: xxxlbs     |     Career:
       Species: xxxxx          | Hair Color: xxxx       | Attributes:
        Gender: xxxxxx         | Hair Style: xxxxxx     | ____________________
           Age: xxx            | ______________________ | Last Resorts: [] [] [] [] []
          Size: xxxxxx         |  Eye Color: xxxx       | Last Resorts Cost: xxxxx
    Handedness: xxxxx          | Skin Color: xxxxx      | ____________________
Identifying Marks:                                      | Experience Points: xxxxxxxx

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Ability    |           | Res. |  |        ACTION CHECK SCORE          |
      Score   Mod  | Untrained | Mod. |  |        |        |        |         |
 STR   xx      +x  |           |      |  |Marginal|Ordinary|  Good  | Amazing |
 DEX   xx      +x  |           |      |  |        |        |  ACTIONS  |      |
 CON   xx      +x  |           |      |  |   DIE: |        | PER ROUND |      |
 INT   xx      +x  |           |      |  | <<<<< COMBAT MOVEMENT RATES >>>>>
 WILL  xx      +x  |           |      |  |  Walk:     Easy Swim:    Glide:    |
 PERS  xx      +x  |           |      |  |   Run:          Swim:      Fly:    |
                                         |Sprint:                             |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DURABILITY                                     ||  ARMOR     | LI | HI | EN |
        | FULL |CURRENT|        | FULL |CURRENT||______________| xx | xx | xx |
   Stun:| xxxx |       |  Wound:|      |       ||______________| xx | xx | xx |
Fatigue:| xxxx |       | Mortal:|      |       ||______________| xx | xx | xx |

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ATTACK FORMS         |   Score   |Base Die| Type |  Range (S/M/L)  |   Damage   |
 Untrained           |   /   /   |        | LI/O |    Personal     |   /    /   |
                     |   /   /   |        |      |     /     /     |   /    /   |
                     |   /   /   |        |      |     /     /     |   /    /   |
                     |   /   /   |        |      |     /     /     |   /    /   |
                     |   /   /   |        |      |     /     /     |   /    /   |
                     |   /   /   |        |      |     /     /     |   /    /   |
                     |   /   /   |        |      |     /     /     |   /    /   |


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SKILL NAME                MOD RANK  ORD GD AMAZ    SKILL NAME                MOD RANK  ORD GD AMAZ
Armor Operation           STR  --  [   /   /   ]   Life Sciences             INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Combat Armor           STR  --  [   /   /   ]      Biology                INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Powered Armor          STR  --  [   /   /   ]      Botany                 INT  --  [   /   /   ]
Athletics                 STR  --  [   /   /   ]      Genetics               INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Climbing               STR  --  [   /   /   ]      Xenology               INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Jumping                STR  --  [   /   /   ]      Zoology                INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Lifting                STR  --  [   /   /   ]   Medical Sciences      INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Throwing               STR  --  [   /   /   ]      Forensics              INT  --  [   /   /   ]
Heavy Weapons             STR  --  [   /   /   ]      Medical Knowledge      INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Direct Fire            STR  --  [   /   /   ]      Psychology             INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Indirect Fire          STR  --  [   /   /   ]      Surgery                INT  --  [   /   /   ]
Melee Weapons             STR  --  [   /   /   ]      Treatment              INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Blade                  STR  --  [   /   /   ]      Xenomedicine           INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Bludgeon               STR  --  [   /   /   ]   Navigation                INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Powered                STR  --  [   /   /   ]      Drivespace             INT  --  [   /   /   ]
Unarmed Attack            STR  --  [   /   /   ]      Surface                INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Brawling               STR  --  [   /   /   ]      System                 INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Power Martial Arts     STR  --  [   /   /   ]   Physical Sciences         INT  --  [   /   /   ]
Acrobatics                DEX  --  [   /   /   ]      Astronomy              INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Daredevil              DEX  --  [   /   /   ]      Chemistry              INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Defensive Martial Arts DEX  --  [   /   /   ]      Physics                INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Dodge                  DEX  --  [   /   /   ]      Planetology            INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Fall                   DEX  --  [   /   /   ]   Security                  INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Flight                 DEX  --  [   /   /   ]      Protection             INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Zero-Gee Training      DEX  --  [   /   /   ]      Security Devices       INT  --  [   /   /   ]
Manipulation              DEX  --  [   /   /   ]   System Operations         INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Lockpicking            DEX  --  [   /   /   ]      Communication          INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Pickpocketing          DEX  --  [   /   /   ]      Defenses               INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Prestidigitation       DEX  --  [   /   /   ]      Engineering            INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Safecracking           DEX  --  [   /   /   ]      Sensors                INT  --  [   /   /   ]
Ranged Weapons, Modern    DEX  --  [   /   /   ]      Weapons                INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Pistol                 DEX  --  [   /   /   ]   Tactics                   INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Rifle                  DEX  --  [   /   /   ]      Infantry               INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   SMG                    DEX  --  [   /   /   ]      Space                  INT  --  [   /   /   ]
Ranged Weapons, Primitive DEX  --  [   /   /   ]      Vehicle                INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Bow                    DEX  --  [   /   /   ]   Technical Sciences        INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Crossbow               DEX  --  [   /   /   ]      Invention              INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Exotic Weapon          DEX  --  [   /   /   ]      Jury Rig               INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Flintlock              DEX  --  [   /   /   ]      Repair                 INT  --  [   /   /   ]
   Sling                  DEX  --  [   /   /   ]      Technical Knowledge    INT  --  [   /   /   ]
Stealth                   DEX  --  [   /   /   ]   Administration            WIL  --  [   /   /   ]
   Hide                   DEX  --  [   /   /   ]      Bureaucracy            WIL  --  [   /   /   ]
   Shadow                 DEX  --  [   /   /   ]      Management             WIL  --  [   /   /   ]
   Sneak                  DEX  --  [   /   /   ]   Animal Handling           WIL  --  [   /   /   ]
Vehicle Operations        DEX  --  [   /   /   ]      Animal Riding          WIL  --  [   /   /   ]
   Air                    DEX  --  [   /   /   ]      Animal Training        WIL  --  [   /   /   ]
   Land                   DEX  --  [   /   /   ]   Awareness                 WIL  --  [   /   /   ]
   Space                  DEX  --  [   /   /   ]      Intuition              WIL  --  [   /   /   ]
   Water                  DEX  --  [   /   /   ]      Perception             WIL  --  [   /   /   ]
Movement                  CON  --  [   /   /   ]   Creativity                WIL  --  [   /   /   ]
   Race                   CON  --  [   /   /   ]   Investigate               WIL  --  [   /   /   ]
   Swim                   CON  --  [   /   /   ]      Interrogate            WIL  --  [   /   /   ]
   Trailblazing           CON  --  [   /   /   ]      Search                 WIL  --  [   /   /   ]
Stamina                   CON  --  [   /   /   ]      Track                  WIL  --  [   /   /   ]
   Endurance              CON  --  [   /   /   ]   Resolve                   WIL  --  [   /   /   ]
   Resist Pain            CON  --  [   /   /   ]      Mental                 WIL  --  [   /   /   ]
Survival                  CON  --  [   /   /   ]      Physical               WIL  --  [   /   /   ]
   Survival Training      CON  --  [   /   /   ]   Street Smart              WIL  --  [   /   /   ]
Business                  INT  --  [   /   /   ]      Criminal Element       WIL  --  [   /   /   ]
   Corporate              INT  --  [   /   /   ]      Street Knowledge       WIL  --  [   /   /   ]
   Illicit Business       INT  --  [   /   /   ]      Teach                  WIL  --  [   /   /   ]
   Small Business         INT  --  [   /   /   ]   Culture                   PER  --  [   /   /   ]
Computer Science          INT  --  [   /   /   ]      Diplomacy              PER  --  [   /   /   ]
   Hacking                INT  --  [   /   /   ]      Etiquette              PER  --  [   /   /   ]
   Hardware               INT  --  [   /   /   ]      First Encounter        PER  --  [   /   /   ]
   Programming            INT  --  [   /   /   ]      Deception              PER  --  [   /   /   ]
Demolitions               INT  --  [   /   /   ]      Bluff                  PER  --  [   /   /   ]
   Disarm                 INT  --  [   /   /   ]      Bribe                  PER  --  [   /   /   ]
   Scratch-Built          INT  --  [   /   /   ]      Gamble                 PER  --  [   /   /   ]
   Set Explosives         INT  --  [   /   /   ]   Entertainment             PER  --  [   /   /   ]
Knowledge                 INT  --  [   /   /   ]      Act                    PER  --  [   /   /   ]
   Computer Ops           INT  --  [   /   /   ]      Dance                  PER  --  [   /   /   ]
   Deduce                 INT  --  [   /   /   ]      Musical  Instrument    PER  --  [   /   /   ]
   First Aid              INT  --  [   /   /   ]      Sing                   PER  --  [   /   /   ]
   Language               INT  --  [   /   /   ]   Interaction               PER  --  [   /   /   ]
   Language               INT  --  [   /   /   ]      Bargain                PER  --  [   /   /   ]
   Language               INT  --  [   /   /   ]      Charm                  PER  --  [   /   /   ]
Law                       INT  --  [   /   /   ]      Interview              PER  --  [   /   /   ]
   Court Procedures       INT  --  [   /   /   ]      Intimidate             PER  --  [   /   /   ]
   Law Enforcement        INT  --  [   /   /   ]      Seduce                 PER  --  [   /   /   ]   
                               --  [   /   /   ]      Taunt                  PER  --  [   /   /   ]
                               --  [   /   /   ]   Leadership                PER  --  [   /   /   ]
                               --  [   /   /   ]      Command                PER  --  [   /   /   ]
                               --  [   /   /   ]      Inspire                PER  --  [   /   /   ]

--------------------------------------=------------------------------------------


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------





 TOTAL WEIGHT:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 LOAD:  Light   Medium (-3) Heavy/Max (-6)  Lift (x 2)  Push/Drag (x 5)
           lb         lb           lb             lb            lb

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------


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Made By StarMaster

Not showing that well here; looks better in the actual character sheet. Not sure how to pass it on with the control characters. It's possible if you just copy my post and insert it into the character sheet, the control characters may show up.

Aww man, I loved Alternity! I swore that I would play no other games ever again, Alternity was the only game for me, and that I would carry my PHB and GMG (with their awesome coordinating covers) with me to my grave!

But then, everyone else moved on to different games. It became harder to convince people to give a "dead" game a try. There I sat, alone, clutching my books tightly to my chest. *sniff* Oh, Alternity, how I miss you!


So, I told myself I was already at my limit for the number PbP games, but if you're going to start up an Alternity game I'll drop out of all of the others if I have to! Besides, a few of them have been inactive for a bit, so I do have a bit more free time on my hands. :D

[dice=1d20 memo="Action Check!"]

I can help with the lack of players issue if you are seriously considering making an Alternity game, although I never got very far into the Star Drive setting before the game was abandoned by everyone in favor of something new and shinny.

Oddly enough I have used converted elements of the Alternity material in other games more often than I have played Alternity itself.

As for the character sheet you can try to edit the post with the [/code] input system, but that doesn't always work well either.  Generally quoting the post to copy and paste it is the best path.

P.S. There appears to be a second edition of Alternity done much more recently, I haven't had a chance to check and make sure it is even similar, but do you know which version you intend to use?
This message was last edited by the user at 02:03, Wed 01 Apr 2020.

I remember reading that someone was working on a newer version of Alternity, but I had no idea that had already seen the light of day. Just went looking for it. And it's out!

It was a kickstarter from Sasquatch Games Studio. Came out in December 2017.

One of the things it was supposed to be doing was converting the game to a positive system--that is, rolling high was good, rolling low was bad.

That's why I'd converted the game I tried running into a positive system, which is what the top of the character shows.

Anyway, it's the same people that made the original game. They've changed the classes and the races; not sure I like that aspect.

Although I've since deleted my game, I could revive it if DevilOfRoses doesn't want to GM.

Richard Baker is a great guy. He sent me several replacement books when the bindings of my original Alternity hardcovers started coming apart, and he even sent me a box full of Alternity books to pass out at a convention many years ago.

I've only glanced at the new Alternity, but wasn't very impressed. I think that's the overall feeling from the community as well. It looks like Sasquatch hasn't done much with the line since it's release, other than several PDFs on DriveThru - which judging by the comments are sub-par. Bummer.

@DevilOfRoses - What style of Star*Drive campaign were you thinking of running? I've done the standard Galactic Concord "Special Forces" type of thing, as well as a Traveller-esque free trader style campaign in the past. Oh, and I did run a Dark•Matter game for a bit.

Apologies for the delayed reponse folks. COVID struck and I've been distracted, to say the least, I'll take a look and catch up on everything here and in the other thread I was involved in.

In reply to StevetheNPC (msg # 8):

While Star Drive was the sci-fi setting that pulled me in, Dark*Matter kinda got me obsessed, given how much I absolutely loved X-Files at the time. As for the style of game, I've always loved the Free Trader Traveller/Firefly-esque style of game as that seemed to lend itself more to the classic 'adventuring party' style that most players seem comfortable with.

That all said, I'm looking over my library to see what I'd like to run, I've a number of mods I remember catching my interest a long time ago but never getting the chance to run.

While the alien races were interesting, I thought the Star Frontiers races were more fun. If anything, I'd have to say that was the main problem with Star*Drive--it never really seemed FUN.

It was an odd universe and there didn't seem to be any way for GMs to throw in their own aliens. It was like they missed a bet. In 1st AD&D, fans were always making up new classes. In 2e, they were making up new kits. And, in 3e, it was feats (and Prestige classes). If you shut that creative door on players, they are going to lose interest sooner than later.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 12):

I just did a quick google search, need to do more reading before I determine how this scans, but personally I think the only reason Star*Drive didn't quite reach that level was simply due to it being at the ass end of TSR's life. When WotC took over, they wanted to start fresh, so they canceled Dragon Dice, Alternity, etc, published the final murder mods for AD&D 2e, then brought out 3rd Edition. There's been a small, but solid, Alternity community on the internets, I just haven't dived too deep into the content they've created.

https://seawolfsden.net/files/...ers.to.alternity.pdf

I played Alternity to death back in the day, both Star Drive and Dark Matter campaigns. If you still want players shout me I'm definitely interested. I should mention I don't actually have the books, but I have an extremely good memory and I remember the system pretty well

I expect that the current pandemic has disrupted a lot of lives, so even though some of us may have lots of time on our hands, other RL things may be killing it.

I downloaded the file that converted the Star Frontier species over to Alternity. That's pretty cool.

I was never an X-Files fan, so I never quite understood the point of Dark Matter. I don't even remember if I have it or not.

While I've definitely had the pandemic affect my mental health, the bulk of my delay is that I'm technically running three Fantasy Grounds games, I've gotten two pretty much under control, I'm having issues with Starfinder as I'm a Pathfinder 1E player and I keep running into those little edition changes that mess with my head. I am going to try and get an Alternity game up and open this weekend, or by Monday at least. Wish me luck!

I know what you mean! I'm running a Starfinder game, and it's like I'm running a completely different game from Pathfinder. Some things are pretty cool, but somethings are just weird.

Not sure how many players you'll have for Alternity, but if there are a lot, I'll offer to help GM if you want, rather than play.

Add me to the list of people that got really, REALLY excited about Alternity back in the day.  I'd love to try to get into a game if one was created.

So, I'm still doing a lot of reading, but here's the 'Looking for Players' advertisement:
link to a message in another game