Lacking Class

Mothership’s core classes—Teamster, Scientist, Android, Marine—map surprisingly well to Eclipse Phase archetypes, reinforcing both gameplay roles and narrative themes without needing major adjustments.

  • Teamsters are the blue-collar workers of space—mechanics, miners, and haulers just trying to survive. In Eclipse Phase, Belters (space workers), Scum (anarchist drifters), and Gatecrashers (explorers beyond the Pandora Gates) fit this mold. Both represent gritty, working-class survivors dealing with corporate exploitation and existential horror.
  • Scientists specialize in research, medicine, and hacking—often the weakest physically but the most valuable mentally. In Eclipse Phase, the Argonauts (radical scientists), Firewall Analysts (conspiracy researchers), and Genehackers (biotech experts) fill similar roles. Both are knowledge-seekers who risk their sanity uncovering the secrets of the universe.
  • Marines are hardened soldiers trained to handle high-stress combat, but susceptible to panic. In Eclipse Phase, this role is split between Firewall Sentinels (anti-Exsurgent operatives), Mercenaries (hypercorp enforcers), and Martian Rangers (militarized survivalists). Both represent expendable muscle, trained for violence but often caught in conflicts beyond their understanding.
  • Androids are synthetic lifeforms, often treated as second-class citizens and plagued by existential crises. In Eclipse Phase, Synthmorphs (robotic bodies), infomorphs (artificial general intelligences), and even some Uplifts (sapient animals) share similar struggles. Both explore the horror of identity loss, and the fear of being "other than human."

However, there is a missing archetype, for a "social" class. So, here is a first draft (unplaytested):

THE FACE

Faces are masters of charm and persuasion, able to talk their way into (or out of) nearly any situation. Their charisma inspires allies and disarms foes, but their reliance on reputation and social cunning can sometimes lead to dangerous overconfidence or scandal.


THE FACE STATS & SAVES

  • +10 INTELLECT: Reflects The Face’s sharp wit and ability to think on their feet.
  • +10 SANITY SAVE: Their experience with high-pressure social situations grants them resilience against mental strain.
  • +15 FEAR SAVE: Confidence and charisma help them maintain composure in the face of terror.
  • +1 MINIMUM STRESS: The constant pressures of reputation and social manipulation mean The Face always carries a baseline level of stress.

 

Class Skills
Charm, Persuasion
Bonus: 1 Expert Skill
OR: 2 Trained Skills

 

Trained Skills (+10)

These skills reflect The Face’s broad social and cultural expertise:

  • Art: The expression or application of a species’ creative ability and imagination.
  • Athletics: Physical fitness, sports, and games.
  • Linguistics: The study of languages (alive, dead, and undiscovered).
  • Charm (New): Persuasive use of personal charisma, attractiveness, and body language to influence others.
  • Persuasion (New): Practical knowledge of negotiation and rhetoric, allowing skilled handling of social conflicts.

Expert Skills (+15)

Advanced skills tailored to the unique talents of The Face:

  • Psychology: The study of behavior and the human mind.
  • Negotiation (New): Advanced techniques in deal-making and conflict resolution, including leveraging debts and favors.
  • Public Relations (New): Managing reputation, crafting narratives, and manipulating public perception.

Master Skills (+20)

Highly specialized skills representing cutting-edge expertise:

  • Command: Leadership, management, and authority.
  • Diplomacy (New): Expertise in navigating inter-faction politics and high-stakes negotiations, even with hostile parties.
  • Glamour (New): Mastery of persona-building, enabling you to inspire, manipulate, or deceive entire groups with ease.

 

Descriptions for New Skills

Charm (Trained)

You can win people over with your charm and charisma, whether through kind words, flirtation, or confident demeanor.

Persuasion (Trained)

You are adept at convincing others, either by logical argument or emotional appeal. Your words carry weight in almost any situation.

Negotiation (Expert)

You excel in making deals and resolving disputes. You can barter for better prices, outmaneuver opponents in verbal duels, or use leverage to gain the upper hand.

Public Relations (Expert)

You understand the power of public perception and know how to craft and maintain a favorable image. You can spin events, cover up scandals, or rally support.

Diplomacy (Master)

You are a skilled mediator who can resolve inter-faction conflicts or broker delicate agreements. Your expertise allows you to interact meaningfully with any culture or organization.

Glamour (Master)

You command attention and awe. Through your cultivated image and innate magnetism, you can inspire loyalty, rally morale, or manipulate large groups with ease.


Trauma Response

Once per session, every close friendly may take advantage [+] on a panic check as you diffuse tension with a witty remark, a confident demeanor, or a strategic distraction.

Face Loadouts

D10

Loadout

00

Stunning Outfit (AP 1), Tiny Revolver (6 rounds), VIP Corporate Key Card, Disguise Kit

01

Corporate Attire (AP 1), Tranq Pistol (3 shots), Contact Directory (valuable client list), Holo-Projector (personalized ad holograms)

02

Formal Wear (AP 1), Switchblade (as Scalpel DMG), Persuasion-Assist AI (adds [+] to Persuade/Negotiate checks once per session), Luxury Luggage

03

Rugged Explorer Gear (AP 2), Revolver (6 rounds), Personal Locator, Portable Bar Set (1d10 uses, boosts social interactions for 24 hours)

04

Media Vaccsuit (AP 3, includes short-range comms and cameras), Compact Rigging Gun (1 shot), Portable Recorder, Instant Credentials Forgery Tool

05

Civilian Clothes (AP 1), Stun Baton, Subscription to Galactic Gossip (grants insight into scandals), Flashy Sunglasses

06

Cloaked Outfit (AP 1, grants [+] to Disguise checks), Laser Pointer (as Flare Gun, 2 uses), Untraceable Data Pad, Instant Voice Modulator

07

Luxury Workwear (AP 1), Stun Baton, Holovid Tablet (preloaded with popular shows/memes for distraction), Credit Stick (10d10 credits)

08

Hardened Diplomatic Wear (AP 2, includes radiation shielding), Negotiator’s Toolkit (compact argument aids), Vox Amplifier, Emergency Exit Locator

09

Glitterati Ensemble (AP 1, eye-catching and iconic), Embedded Drone Camera (live stream feed), Publicist Contact, Solid Gold Revolver (3 shots, 1d10 DMG)


D10

Trinkets

00

A gold-plated business card.

01

A cracked pair of vintage sunglasses rumored to have belonged to a galactic icon.

02

A lipstick-sized voice modulator capable of mimicking any accent.

03

A sleek holo-wristband displaying your social media follower count in real-time.

04

A shimmering scarf woven with an iridescent thread that changes color with your mood.

05

A miniature holo-frame displaying a looping image of you with a famous politician or celebrity.

06

A glittering data crystal containing a scandalous secret about a powerful faction.

07

A rare vial of pheromone said to calm even the most hostile negotiator.

08

A perfectly tailored capelet that never seems to wrinkle or stain, no matter the conditions.

09

A small box of hand-written thank-you notes from admirers across the galaxy.


D10

Patches

00

“Looking Good, Feeling Great” with a mirror-like reflective surface.

01

“Trust Me, I’m Famous” embroidered in shimmering gold thread.

02

A sleek silhouette of a spaceship with the words “Smooth Operator” beneath it.

03

“My Face Is My Fortune” adorned with holographic glitter.

04

A minimalist depiction of a handshake, labeled “Deals Made Daily.”

05

“Galactic Icon” surrounded by a wreath of embroidered laurels.

06

“I Can Talk My Way Out of This” with a small microphone graphic.

07

A stylized eye with the phrase “Always Watching” stitched in bold lettering.

08

“Words Are My Weapon” featuring a tiny sword piercing a scroll.

09

A simple starburst pattern with the words “One in a Million.”

 

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