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ok guys, for the past few weeks, I've been running a Phase World game, got more players than I've ever had (8 or so) before in a game, and I am coming up blank on what to do with them.

Basic Premise: I'm using bits of Skraypers with Phase World, passing off the Tarlok as a new uber-threat to the Thundercloud Galaxy. The characters are survivors of a planet the Tarlok blew up in their war against the galaxy. Something in the planet, possibly Forge related, was destroyed with the planet, releasing a wave of energy that washed over the star system and of course the characters. The energy "improved" whatever it touched, thus giving them super-powers ala Skraypers. So now I have this crew floating around space, who have decided to be a thorn in the side of the Tarlok, mostly by running blockades, smuggling equipment to other freedom fighters and so on.

I originally intended for the game to be Fireflyesque, in the sense that they could roam wherever they wanted, picking up oddjobs and missions along the way, while this galactic event unfolded in the background, which they could participate with however they wanted or not at all even. I think I bit off more than I can chew, as the sheer volumn of stuff I think I need to create for this to be possible is mind-breaking. I'm a semi-perfectionist and I like to have everything laid out and ready to go. I hate running by the seat of my pants, though I guess I'm okay doing it when forced.

So I'm looking for suggestions, comments, critiques or even just a shoulder to cry on

Should I even try to pre-create adventure hooks for a galaxy?
How do I organize something like that, if possible?
Should I reign in the players a bit more as to what they should do and where they should go?
Is a completely free form game even a good idea, shouldn't there be some GM steering?

Any help would be great guys and gals.

The Three Galaxies are a big space. I'd begin by focusing in on one planet or system. May I suggest a Freedom Fighter Campiagn?
Suggest to the players, maybe at the end of one of their odd jobs, that there is a planet in Tarlok space where the slave population (pick any non-tarlok species that is appropriate) are growing restless. Nay, Rebellious! The PCs can essentially become freedom fighters, launching attacks against government facilities, raiding banks and armories, breaking political prisoners or future experiments out of prison, etc.
In addition to raids and battles, every session or two the PCs could face more mundane challenges like gathering followers, establishing a network of clandestine bases, re-supplying weapons, armor and vehicles, and what to do with moles and traitors!
Slowly, the scale of encounters should rise until there is one climactic battle for the planet! Could be quite gripping and fun!
Good Luck!

Welll, your players have a choice, really. Attack the Tarlock as best they can by organising other victims (a la Iraqi Insurgency)... or go ask the someone for help in stopping them.

The whole campaign could be about their journey to Terra Prime (20,000+ light-years away) to go before the Consortium Congress and plead their case for aid.

See, no matter how tough you think you are in teh 3 G's, there is always a bigger power. Hell, if the Consortium won't help them, they could go to the TGE, or some Cosmo-Knights, or even the Splugorth.

The Phase World / Skraypers is cool...but you have definitely added to your work load. Here's my thoughts:

1) Give the Tarlok allies, maybe secret allies and some mercs. This gives you more options for threats.


2) What kind of engine does their ship have? The glory of Traveller is that the engines limit the amount of movement so the GM gets lots of advance warning if PCs want to wander too far. You should create an area map of systems / planets and focus your players on that zone and allow them to expand outward slowly. However, you do have some work to do to design out the neighborhood of planetary systems. I highly recommend you use random generation to make your life easier. The more you know about the planetary systems the less you will have to wing it during the game.


3) Answers to your questions:

>Should I even try to pre-create adventure hooks for a galaxy?

Absolutely! There should be MANY cool hooks for the characters to latch onto as they see fit.

>How do I organize something like that, if possible?

Hooks should be tailored to (a) the player's interest and (b) the character backgrounds. Does your group like combat, mystery, exploration, courtly intrigue, espionage? Plant hooks that are tailored to their interest. As for character hooks, think adventure ideas that would appeal to each OCC and plant them about. Then reveal about 2-3 hooks per session and see what they bite.

Here's an idea: ask each player for 3 NPCs descriptions tied to their character - they should give you (a) an Ally (b) an Enemy and (c) and Contact. 8 players x 3 NPCs = 24 NPCs available for hooks. The players should roll up all three as well for you! Tell them to make the Ally the same level as their PC, but the Contact has +1 Level and the Enemy has +3 Levels.

>Should I reign in the players a bit more as to what they should do and where they should go?

You should create your immediate stellar neighborhood with good detail and tell the players outright that you want to sing and dance in this area of 10-20 planetary systems for a few months BUT as the campaign continues, you will add another 10+ systems to explore.

I have run awesome campaigns with no more than a dozen solar systems each with multiple planets, moons, asteroid belts, etc. There is no need to go everywhere.

>Is a completely free form game even a good idea, shouldn't there be some GM steering?

As a GM, you ALWAYS fight the teetotter of Freeform vs. Railroad and your goal is a balance where the players feel there is a lot to background to explore and engage with BUT they also have the freedom to change the course of the game with their actions.

BTW, email me if you want 200+ premade Phase World NPCs courtesy of Gadrin!