​​Vagrant
Spectrum
This website is for the Rogue Trader campaign Vagrant Spectrum. Here you will find Player Character and NPC profiles, background, house rules, and other useful information.
Welcome
Why Online?
Playing online has its advantages and disadvantages. It is taylored to a particular style of play. The extra time to think can be helpful for writing posts with detailed narrative descriptions. The anonimity can free players from their social inhibitions, which allows for greater roleplaying. Finally, there is the simple advantage of access for players who do not have other gamers in their home towns.
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The disadvantage is time consumption. With five players, a single paragraph from each in the Roll20 chat, plus my own posts to facilitate the story, setting, and multiple NPCs, can greatly extend the amount of time it takes to portray even a single scene. As such, this game requires an appreciation of the drama potential of conversation, and the patience for a slowly unfolding story.
My Style
Every Gamer is different. We all get something different out of it. If you’re choosing to join an online game chances are very good that you prefer a more narrative, story driven style. Ask me what makes a good story and I’ll always respond the same way: Interesting characters. Ultimately, this campaign is about the Explorers. Their personalities and story arcs.
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I’m a big fan of ‘The suspension of disbelief’. Warhammer 40,000 is a truly incredible universe. It contains people possessing vast, planet rending power. The suspension of disbelief is all about making the unbelievable feel real. This is accomplished through characters who are very human. They may be powerful and remarkibly skilled human beings, but they are still human. They possess flaws and fears, hopes and dreams. An Alpha level Psyker may be able to dominate the minds of an entire planet, but he still sweats when its hot outside. Some of the most interesting moments in drama are when protagonists fail.
Maturity
It is often said that the most important goal of the GM is to make sure everyone has a good time, but this is also the Players’ responsibility. We are always on each others side. I want each of my Player Characters to have their moment in the spotlight, and they should want that for each other too. One of the highest marks of maturity is the ability to go with the flow. Don’t make a big fuss about things that don’t really matter.
Game Momentum
I’m an adult. I work full time and take online classes. This is actually one of the reasons I put this game together. I have gamer friends, but distance and time management becomes an issue. However, there is a flow to roleplaying games called Game Momentum. If you let enough time pass between sessions on a regular basis that momentum becomes lost. Energy and excitement for the game drains away, and the game fizzles out. Normally I should be able to play once a week, setting aside several hours for the session. Ideally I never want more than two weeks to go by without playing when involved in a game. That said, life happens, and we must be flexible.
Dark Themes
The galaxy can be a horrifying place. Violence, insanity, corruption, slavery, starvation, addiction, rape. The crew of a Rogue Trader vessel is likely to be confronted with them all throughout their voyages. These themes will be explored in depth throughout the course of this campaign. In real life, these are dark and terrible things that should never be taken lightly. In a story, they are fantastic literary devices.
Sex
There will be a healthy dose of sex in this game. Players should be comfortable roleplaying sex, and capable of doing so in a narrative way. There is a reason romance and sex are among the most omnipresent themes of drama and literature. Romantic and/or sexual relationships between characters, player or non-player, are encouraged. The gender and sexual orientation of your character is not required, nor necessarily expected, to reflect your own. This is a game for writers. You should feel no more uncomfortable roleplaying a sex scene that will be read by the other players than watching an HBO or Starz series with friends.
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But like an HBO series, the sex plays a supporting role. It is not the focus of the overall story, and should not draw attention away from it.
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Test Scenario
As you can see, I have certain expectations of my players. For this reason, prior to character creation, there will be a one-on-one session to determine compatibility of style. This test is as much for you as it is for me. As a GM I may not be your cup of tea, and vice versa. The scenario will be a prologue played out in freeform. It will look for things like player maturity, storytelling, and basic grammar and writing skills. I have put a great deal of time and work into this campaign. If I don’t select you, I hope you won’t take it personally.
Contact Info
​If interested in participating, send a character biography to the email below. This should contain information on the character's background, personality, career path, and anything else you wish to include, but should not be a completed character sheet. We will fill out the mechanical information via Gametable. Feel free to send any questions you may have to this address as well.
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Email: vagrantspectrum@yahoo.com