FASA NPC character generator

[UFC465537]

For All those die hard TOS FASA fans, I posted a NPC character generator at my Yahoo! Group. It uses MS Excel, and generates up to 18 characters, and 1 complete bridge crew. Comments and suggestions strongly encouraged!

Guardian of Forever

[LtCdr Kagan]

UFC, just downloaded it. Let me look at it a couple of days, and get back to you. I must say, I always did like the old FASA game. To me, it still is a simplier format.

[UFC465537]

Originally posted by LtCdr Kagan
UFC, just downloaded it. Let me look at it a couple of days, and get back to you. I must say, I always did like the old FASA game. To me, it still is a simplier format.

Thanks! It's something I've been farting around with for a couple months and it'd be nice to get an opinion. My group still uses the 1st ed FASA rules, so I'll still get some mileage out of the generator. I also figured I may as well pass along the spreadsheet to other FASATrek oldtimers whose arthritic hands may not roll dice as quickly as they used to

[LtCdr Kagan]

NPC generator looks great. You're right, my arthritis at 39 does kick in quickly when rolling characters. When I was in college 20 years ago, it would take the better part of a day to roll NPC. Now with your new prestomatic NPC generator...kaboom...I've got redshirt cannon fodder in seconds.

I guess that is why LUG and Decipher came up with an rpg format that didn't require strenuous activity.

I found one bug...cell CU23....the race selector causes the randomizer to reroll all the surrounding characters...not just that one. Check the surrounding race selectors...same thing happened. Not that it matters to me if it re-rolls the surrounding characters...but some anal-retentive GMs might get irritated. Of course, we're talking about NPCs here. They may not be around for long anyway.

For a simple addition, UFC...what about three enlisted possibilities for Starfleet, such as: a) able crewman, b) petty officer, and c) career NCOs like CPOs and above?

By the way, how did I conduct an rpg session before my HP Pavilion? It seems so much like those were the dark ages now.

[UFC465537]

Originally posted by LtCdr Kagan
NPC generator looks great. You're right, my arthritis at 39 does kick in quickly when rolling characters. When I was in college 20 years ago, it would take the better part of a day to roll NPC. Now with your new prestomatic NPC generator...kaboom...I've got redshirt cannon fodder in seconds.

Thanks! Old age kinda sucks..for example, it took 3 years of campaignng and rolling to discover that had I created a spreadsheet THREE YEARS AGO, I could've saved myself a LOT OF WORK!

I guess that is why LUG and Decipher came up with an rpg format that didn't require strenuous activity.

I bought the bulk of both, and they managed to give me eyestrain! I can't win...

I found one bug...cell CU23....the race selector causes the randomizer to reroll all the surrounding characters...not just that one. Check the surrounding race selectors...same thing happened. Not that it matters to me if it re-rolls the surrounding characters...but some anal-retentive GMs might get irritated. Of course, we're talking about NPCs here. They may not be around for long anyway.

That's a limitation of MS Excel: everytime you pick out of a drop box, it re-calculates. If you (or anyone else out there in the great expanse) know how to remedy that, I'd be grateful!

For a simple addition, UFC...what about three enlisted possibilities for Starfleet, such as: a) able crewman, b) petty officer, and c) career NCOs like CPOs and above?

I could do that, but, I'm not certain what skills to include. I remember passing an internet site that had rules for generating those character types...I'll scrounge around. Could you enlighten me on what an NCO and CPO is?

By the way, how did I conduct an rpg session before my HP Pavilion? It seems so much like those were the dark ages now.

I know how: We were young and didn't have better things to do, like, work. When you got all the time in the world, it makes gaming easier! Now, it seems like I can't take a crap without checking the PC first!

Game on, Kagan, Game on!

[LtCdr Kagan]

Originally posted by UFC465537
Game on, Kagan, Game on!

That's what I'm 'bout to do!

That's a limitation of MS Excel: everytime you pick out of a drop box, it re-calculates. If you (or anyone else out there in the great expanse) know how to remedy that, I'd be grateful!

I have known the answer to this one...got to find it again.

I could do that, but, I'm not certain what skills to include. I remember passing an internet site that had rules for generating those character types...I'll scrounge around. Could you enlighten me on what an NCO and CPO is?

I've seen some of those same internet rules, but the simplest I've found has been FASA's Trader Captains and Merchant Princes second edition. They're found on page 24.

As for NCO (non-commissioned officers) and CPO (chief petty officer), these would be your higher ranked navy enlisted personnel. In an army these would equal a master sergeant. These are career personnel who are not just specialists in their fields (often more specialized than academy-trained officers). They lack college-based training, but make up for it in their sometimes obsessively practical understanding of their trades.

When I say that they are not just specialists, I'm referring to their leadership and training skills. Yes, a officer is academy-trained and will give the highly technobabble explanation to a new recruit. Whereas, a CPO will just walk up and tell Crewman Jackson, "Son, just hook that red conduit to the damned blue one over there." Much more practical.

NCOs would normally include warrant officers, master chief petty officers, senior chief petty officers, and chief petty officers. Remember, these don't have a broad-based academy education, but they are valuable experts none-the-less.

The would tend to be older than the low-level officer corps because they have made a career of the fleet. Some are older than some ship captains. However, as for protocol, they are some of the most strict on duty...and most relaxed off duty.

[Tas II]

Have to say that I like the NPC generator.....alot of dice rolling is no longer needed! LOL

Just a question, but has anyone come up with a FASA character generator? I remember seeing an ICON character generator (that had a coupla minor bugs in) on these boards a while back, and am just curious....

Cheers

Tas

[UFC465537]

Originally posted by LtCdr Kagan
I've seen some of those same internet rules, but the simplest I've found has been FASA's Trader Captains and Merchant Princes second edition. They're found on page 24.

As for NCO (non-commissioned officers) and CPO (chief petty officer), these would be your higher ranked navy enlisted personnel. In an army these would equal a master sergeant. These are career personnel who are not just specialists in their fields (often more specialized than academy-trained officers). They lack college-based training, but make up for it in their sometimes obsessively practical understanding of their trades.

When I say that they are not just specialists, I'm referring to their leadership and training skills. Yes, a officer is academy-trained and will give the highly technobabble explanation to a new recruit. Whereas, a CPO will just walk up and tell Crewman Jackson, "Son, just hook that red conduit to the damned blue one over there." Much more practical.

NCOs would normally include warrant officers, master chief petty officers, senior chief petty officers, and chief petty officers. Remember, these don't have a broad-based academy education, but they are valuable experts none-the-less.

The would tend to be older than the low-level officer corps because they have made a career of the fleet. Some are older than some ship captains. However, as for protocol, they are some of the most strict on duty...and most relaxed off duty.

I was gonna guess Chief Petty Officer, but NCO was unfamiliar to me! I looked up page 24 in TC&MP, and you're right, bless your heart! I'll look it over and see what I come up with...if you have any suggestions as far as what skills (because I only have room for 6, not incl. Marks(mod) and Pers Cmbt) to use, that'd be cool. Maybe I'll insert generic "Any Specialty Skill" to accomodate a variety. I also don't have a private ship captain npc listed, maybe I'll add that while I'm at it...

Thanks Again Kagan!

[UFC465537]

Originally posted by Tas II
Have to say that I like the NPC generator.....alot of dice rolling is no longer needed! LOL

Just a question, but has anyone come up with a FASA character generator? I remember seeing an ICON character generator (that had a coupla minor bugs in) on these boards a while back, and am just curious....

Cheers

Tas

I'm working on a planetary generator now (this campaign I'm working on requires a bit of search and rescue, so, I need something that creates plenty of solar systems..and besides, my knuckles hurt from years of..rolling..yeah,rolling),but, a complete character generator is next on my list.

In the meantime, my buddy built a characer sheet for his FASATrek website (now dismantled...a moment of silence,please...) and I've attached it here (or I tried--if you can't download it, e-mail me and I'll send it along). It generates ability scores and adjusts for race (he's added quite a few extras) but, it doesn't do anything with skills.

Enjoy
The Mighty Joe