conversations.from: system
conversations.value: **Part of the "Games For Beginners" series instituted by @erindubitably**.
  
  The year is 2489.  Mankind has developed poorly-explained FTL technology and taken to the stars, discovering a whole galaxy of adventure, riches and opportunity... and alien races who want to keep all of that for themselves.  
  
  You are a drifter, working odd jobs in exchange for passage and credits, never staying in one place--or on one ship--for very long.  On this particular day, at a spaceport in the Vega system, you see the following notice:
  
  "Extra hands wanted on the light cruiser *Shining Star*.  Applicants must be ready to start immediately.  Be strong, skilled--and, above all, discreet.  Inquire of Cpt. Ash Bourneville at East Dock 6-41."
  
  *Well*, you think.  *I suppose it couldn't hurt to take a look...*
  
  ---
  
  As the above suggests, players will be temporary crew on a small cargo ship called the *Shining Star*.  The captain, an enigmatic woman by the name of Ash--no one quite dares ask what it's short for, or even if it's her real name--runs a tight ship, but somehow even the most routine voyages seem to end in adventure...
  
  As a "Game for Beginners", this game is intended for people who have no--or very little--Storium experience.  Priority will be given to those with no games on their profile.  More experienced players **may** be accepted based on availability.
  
  This is not intended to be a long-running adventure with the same characters.  At the end of each chapter (7-8 scenes) I will be retiring the old characters and recruiting new ones.  This is simply an exercise whereby new Storium users can get a feel for the system and ask any questions they may have about the game.
  
  Feel free to use the Nature, Strength, Weakness and Subplot cards provided, or make your own if nothing fits what you want.  Keep your character description short and focused on who you are and what you can do.
  
  A Googledoc with a collection of helpful Storium links can be found here for your reference: http://bit.ly/11joV6t.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Ash Bourneville, the stern but fair captain of the *Shining Star*.  Getting on her good side would probably be a good idea.
conversations.prefix: Captain Ash:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Ship's engineer.  In charge of the FTL drive and other handwaved technical equipment.  Kind of a 'joker', or would be if he were funny.
conversations.prefix: Miko Taverley:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: On-board medical officer.  Generally uninterested in anyone who isn't bleeding or otherwise in need of his skills.
conversations.prefix: Doc McAffrey:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The ship's computer is home to a friendly, helpful AI.  No one knows what the acronym stands for, not even V.A.L.
conversations.prefix: V.A.L.:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Communications officer.  Has a sharp tongue but a cheerful attitude.  When it **really** matters, she knows how to do 'the diplomacy thing'.
conversations.prefix: Sal Derrick:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: That... is that even a real thing?
conversations.prefix: Find A Flux Capacitor:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Doc McAffrey is running low on disposable syringe needles. You never know when you might need some...
conversations.prefix: Find Syringe Needles:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Maybe there's something *you* want to take with you?
conversations.prefix: Personal Items:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Seeing the galaxy on humanity's credits, that's your main goal in life.
conversations.prefix: Alien Wanderer:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You have some technical knowledge and training, and can fix things when they go wrong.
conversations.prefix: Technician:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Galactic law enforcement wants to bring you in.  The only way to avoid them is to keep moving.
conversations.prefix: Wanted Criminal:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You used to be part of an army.  Now you do any job you can find... but you still remember how to fight.
conversations.prefix: Former Soldier:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You know a lot of alien languages, and you travel the galaxy on a quest to learn even more.
conversations.prefix: Interpreter:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You've been travelling for a while now, and you've picked up all sorts of skills along the way.
conversations.prefix: Jack of all Trades:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You have medical training which, despite your life of drifting, you still know how to put into practice.
conversations.prefix: Medic:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Most artificial lifeforms are property, but you belong only to yourself.
conversations.prefix: Free Robot:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: One of millions of people who travel the galaxy, drifting from job to job.
conversations.prefix: Drifter:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You went to good schools and read a lot of books.  You know all sorts of strange and useful facts.
conversations.prefix: Educated:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Even in the most difficult situation, you always seem to know what to say.
conversations.prefix: Diplomatic:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You are tough enough to deal with the hardships of life in space.
conversations.prefix: Resilient:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You notice little details that others might not.
conversations.prefix: Observant:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Sly and sneaky, you are strangely good at escaping from difficult situations.
conversations.prefix: Cunning:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You always seem to fit in well, wherever you are.
conversations.prefix: Adaptable:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You have a sharp mind and excel at thinking your way out of problems.
conversations.prefix: Intelligent:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: If it's broken, there's a good chance you know how to fix it.
conversations.prefix: Tech Wizard:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You've seen so much in your travels that now it's hard to surprise you.
conversations.prefix: Experienced:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You like people, and people tend to like you.
conversations.prefix: Friendly:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You sometimes take chances that put you or others at risk.
conversations.prefix: Reckless:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You are slow to trust and always think the worst of everyone you meet.
conversations.prefix: Cynical:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You just don't feel things the way others do.
conversations.prefix: Emotionless:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: It's less about what's right, and more about what's right for *you*.
conversations.prefix: Morally Flexible:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You're always right.  Why should *you* back down?
conversations.prefix: Stubborn:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Sometimes you trust the wrong people, even if you *should* know better.
conversations.prefix: Naive:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Pain and stress cut you especially deep.
conversations.prefix: Sensitive:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You're not especially comfortable around new people, and it shows.
conversations.prefix: Socially Awkward:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You don’t wait for others to congratulate you; you’re happy to do it yourself.
conversations.prefix: Arrogant:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: An open mind is a good thing, but not if you never make any decision.
conversations.prefix: Indecisive:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You want to see as much of the galaxy as you can.
conversations.prefix: Explore:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Someone - or something - is after you.  Don't let them get you.
conversations.prefix: Stay One Step Ahead:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You can't live in the past.  It's time to make a new life for yourself.
conversations.prefix: Let Go Of The Past:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The best part of travelling is the people you meet on the way.
conversations.prefix: Meet New People:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You'll never get rich doing odd jobs - which is why you're on the look out for something bigger.
conversations.prefix: Make Your Fortune:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: There's a whole galaxy full of information out there, ready to discover.
conversations.prefix: Learn Something New:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: It's not what you're running from, it's where you're running to.
conversations.prefix: Build A New Life:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You just want something exciting to happen.
conversations.prefix: Have An Adventure:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: A busy, bustling spaceport.  The perfect place to arrange passage on a ship - or find a new job.
conversations.prefix: Indira Spaceport, Vega System:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: A shadowy alien, affiliated to some underworld organisation.  You don't want to owe him anything.
conversations.prefix: Tryrll:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You just want to get on with your job and not get drawn into any sort of personal conversation.
conversations.prefix: Keep Your Secrets:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: A light cruiser run by a trading crew.  Has enough bunks for eight people.
conversations.prefix: Shining Star:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The most important systems on the *Shining Star* are here, including the ship's computer V.A.L.
conversations.prefix: The Flight Deck:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Full of rocks.  Not a great place to try to pilot a starship.
conversations.prefix: Asteroid Belt:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Something terrible happened here once.  But that was a long time ago, and now the place is deserted but harmless.  You hope, at least.
conversations.prefix: Ghost City:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The true heart of Okarimba and its legendary source of power.  Also the resting place of Tryrll's datasphere.
conversations.prefix: National Data Repository:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Not really intended as shopping or tourist destinations, though it is not uncommon to find hitchhikers or vagrant workers in such stations.
conversations.prefix: Refuelling Station:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: A team of strangers has gathered in answer to a job ad.  Introduce yourselves, and try to get along.
conversations.prefix: First Impressions:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The wine produced in the Vega system is famed across this sector of the galaxy.  Can you find some for an affordable price?
conversations.prefix: Find a Barrel of Vegan Wine:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Keeping the ship's computer happy is important.  V.A.L. says it needs a memory upgrade.  See what you can do.
conversations.prefix: Find a Memory Bank Upgrade:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: This document confirms that the Gurundhari Disintegrator on the *Shining Star* is officially licensed, and consequently that carrying it is not, in fact, a war crime.
conversations.prefix: Disintegrator Certification:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Might as well do what you're being paid to do.
conversations.prefix: Make Yourself Useful:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Don't draw any attention and maybe they won't make you do anything.  And, whatever you do, don't *volunteer*.
conversations.prefix: Keep Your Head Down:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: This voyage is less about money or work and more about meeting people.
conversations.prefix: Get to Know the Crew:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Help Miko keep the ship running smoothly.  And try not to become the victim of any of his 'jokes'.
conversations.prefix: Engine Room:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Doc McAffrey could probably use some help sorting through his records and reorganising his shelves.  Honestly, the med bay is a mess.
conversations.prefix: Med Bay:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Kitchen and diner, to the uninitiated.  Not the most glamorous job, but the Captain will be grateful if you keep it clean and well organised.
conversations.prefix: Galley & Mess:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Here is where the route is planned and all communications are handled.  It's also home to V.A.L.
conversations.prefix: Flight Deck:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: V.A.L.'s translation protocol has a malfunction!  Can you manage to fix it or translate the alien's words yourself?
conversations.prefix: Technical Difficulties:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The planet called 'Okarimba' in galactic legend must have a designation.  Find it and figure out how to plot a course.
conversations.prefix: Okarimba:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: So what really did happen between the captain and the demanding alien?  Why can't she deny his request?
conversations.prefix: Optional: The Tale of Tryrll:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: On this refuelling station, some new crew mates have been found for a dangerous mission.  Make them feel at home.
conversations.prefix: Meet the New Crew:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Is there anything that you think either the ship or you need before the *Shining Star* leaves the station?
  
  **Play a Strength or a Weakness only**.
conversations.prefix: Supplies:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Stations like this are rife with gossip and rumours.  Most are rubbish, of course, but some might actually have some value.
conversations.prefix: Rumours:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: This place is hardly a mine of academic information, but when it comes to galactic folklore...
conversations.prefix: Research:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: A G1 Plasma Grenade that probably fell off the back of a space freighter.  Good for blowing things up.
conversations.prefix: Plasma Grenade:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: That's a lot of coffee.  You know humans like coffee, but robots and other machines usually don't. 
conversations.prefix: Coffee!:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: (Newcomers) Learn the ropes.
  
  (Others) Get something done, teach the newcomers, keep the ship moving.  Or don't.
conversations.prefix: Routine:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The surrounding space is full of rocks of varying sizes.  One might think it would be a dangerous place to fly a starship...
conversations.prefix: Asteroid Belt:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: As the captain said, here be pirates.  You can outfly them or outwit them, but don't let them board the *Shining Star*.
conversations.prefix: Evade the Pirate Cruiser:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You're finally here.  Wherever here is.  Now it's just a matter of bringing the ship down easy...
conversations.prefix: The Landing:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The sphere is in the "National Data Repository", which is somewhere in this forsaken city.
conversations.prefix: Find the Data Repository:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: What have you landed on?  And, more to the point, what can you *do* about it?
conversations.prefix: Landing Gear:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Don't blow everything up--and see if there is any use to be made of this mysterious source of power.
conversations.prefix: Power Grid:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Your mission is to retrieve it.  But where is it hidden?
conversations.prefix: Data Sphere:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: There are people here. That's surprising.  (Or is it?)  See what you can get out of them.
conversations.prefix: Code Red: Make Contact:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: There are too many mysteries here.  Figure out what's *really* going on.
conversations.prefix: Find the Truth:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The crew of the *Shining Star* don't have any reason to trust you right now.  Change that, if you can.
conversations.prefix: Win Their Trust:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The security system needs to be disabled before it sends deadly SP1-D3R droids to your location.
conversations.prefix: Security:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Somewhere in this archive is the data sphere you need.
conversations.prefix: Data Sphere:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Primary spaceport of the Sirius system.
conversations.prefix: Sirius Space Station:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You are duty-bound and would be able to keep the promises.
conversations.prefix: Honorable:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: I can easily meet and make friends with new people, and they instinctively feel comfortable around me.
conversations.prefix: Charisma:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Has more degrees than a thermometer.  Generally able to talk about any higher subject with more than a layman's familiarity.  You want this person on your Trivial Pursuit team, or on your team in general.
conversations.prefix: Very Educated:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Your not a medic, the most you have ever done is field dressed soldiers to carry them out of a combat zone, what the heck do you know about hypodermic needles and sani sprays?
conversations.prefix: Uneducated:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: I don't have much care for your moralistic system of reasoning.  I do what I do for my own reasons.  If you don't like it, no skin off my back.
conversations.prefix: Questionable Reasoning:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Sometimes the needs of the one outweigh the needs of the many.
conversations.prefix: Selfish:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You know people in high places. Important people.
conversations.prefix: Connected:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Character can squeeze 25 hours of work into a 24-hour day and still have 8 hours left to sleep.  Very good at tasks like project management, seeing the best way from Point A to Point B in a project.  
conversations.prefix: Efficient:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: I can easily set my mind to something and excel.
conversations.prefix: Determination:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Stuck between a bickering rock and hard place.
conversations.prefix: In the middle.:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Used to growing up in fairly cloistered, stable environments alongside bookish types like herself.  While she would have lots of interesting things to say at a cocktail party, she's most likely to sit in a corner and play with the cat while drinking Merlot instead. 
conversations.prefix: Socially Awkward:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Yup, sometimes even a blind squirrel gets a nut... you just so happen to be in the right place at just the right time.
conversations.prefix: Right time, right place:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Epsilon6 is an advanced model companion droid, equipped with a comprehensive database of languages and communication protocols.  He can communicate with anyone, or anything.
conversations.prefix: Polyglot:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The Measure-theoretic probability theory engine was added to the cortex of A.E.C early models. Allows them to compute the probability of events based on unit observations.
conversations.prefix: Embedded Statistical Engine:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Some of Epsilon's true nature is revealed.  Epsilon is a synergy unit, able to adaptably connect any systems together, to work in concert.  
conversations.prefix: Compatible Systems:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: While Pearl knows a lot about a lot of things, she has learned most of them from behind a book..or a screen...or the protection of a job.  This pirate stuff is scary!
conversations.prefix: Sheltered Existence:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Here hold ma beer, and watch this ... I'ma try and Science!
conversations.prefix: Science!:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Despite the laid-back pace of most academic work, you can think fast on your feet when you really have to.
conversations.prefix: Fast Thinker:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Sometimes believing that you can do something is the first step to success.
conversations.prefix: Self-Assured:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Sometimes the things you don't want people to know can cause problems.
conversations.prefix: Secretive: