Chapter 7: Plot Hooks, Starships, and Alien Shenanigans
Ahoy, fledgling Game Masters! So you’ve dusted off your cosmic dice, polished your nebula-navigating skills, and now you’re ready to launch your first Starfinder adventure. Buckle up, because we’re about to dive into a universe teeming with laser swords, tentacled diplomats, and the occasional malfunctioning space toaster.
Plot Hooks: Where the Cosmic Curtain Rises
Plot hooks are like cosmic fishing lines. You cast them, and players bite. Here are some juicy hooks to reel in your star-hopping crew:
- Dying Wish: An NPC on their deathbed begs the adventurers to honor their last request. Maybe it’s finding a lost love or delivering a cryptic message. Either way, it’s like a cosmic scavenger hunt with emotional stakes.
- Escape: The PCs wake up in a cell, stripped of gear. They must escape, but beware—players get grumpy when you swipe their magic items. It’s like taking candy from a space baby.
- Find Plot Hook: The crew stumbles upon an old map or a distress signal. Treasure hunt or rescue mission? Either way, it’s like cosmic geocaching.
- Journey: The PCs embark on a road trip—er, space trip—to their next adventure site. Along the way, they encounter space pirates, asteroid storms, and the occasional cosmic hitchhiker.
- Legend or Rumor: A tantalizing rumor or ancient legend piques their interest. Maybe it’s a forgotten alien artifact or a cursed space noodle recipe. Players love choices—even if they’re all leading to the same nebula.
Encounter Design: Pew-Pew with Panache
Encounters are the cosmic dance partners. Here’s how to waltz with them:
- Balance: Mix combat, role-playing, and puzzle encounters. Too much combat, and players feel like laser-toting murderhobos. Too much role-playing, and they’ll start a cosmic knitting circle.
- Foreshadowing: Drop hints about upcoming encounters. Mention a mysterious starship captain or a cryptic prophecy. Players love connecting dots—like cosmic detectives with laser pointers.
- Scaling: Adjust encounters on the fly. If the PCs breeze through, add a space kraken. If they struggle, maybe it’s a friendly space kitten instead.
Pacing: Warp Speed or Nebula Noodles?
Pacing is like adjusting the cosmic cruise control. Here’s the dial:
- Action: Ramp up the lasers during starship combat or epic battles. Players love cinematic explosions and witty one-liners.
- Exploration: Let them explore alien ruins, bustling spaceports, and quirky cantinas. It’s like a cosmic vacation with better Yelp reviews.
- Downtime: Give them breathing room. Let them tinker with gear, chat with NPCs, or invent space limericks. Even heroes need coffee breaks.
GM’s Toolbox: Revisiting Skills, Feats, and Gear
As the GM, you’re the cosmic puppet master. Revisit these tools:
- Skills: NPCs use skills too. A charismatic diplomat with maxed-out Bluff can spin lies like a cosmic spider. And don’t forget Profession: Space Barista—because even starfarers need their cosmic lattes.
- Feats: NPCs flaunt feats. That space pirate? She’s got Point-Blank Shot and a penchant for swashbuckling. And the alien librarian? He’s mastered Skill Focus: Ancient Texts.
- Gear: NPCs wear gear. That grizzled bounty hunter? His Stellar Stiletto gleams with history. And the quirky engineer? She’s rocking a Quantum Jumpsuit with built-in espresso dispenser.
Let’s explore the diverse types of adventures you can launch into the star-studded void.
1. The Classic Dungeon Crawl: Space Tombs and Nebula Labyrinths
Dungeon crawls are like cosmic treasure hunts. Your crew delves into ancient starship wrecks, asteroid bases, or abandoned space stations. Expect traps, puzzles, and the occasional space slime. Whether it’s recovering lost artifacts or battling rogue AI guardians, dungeon crawls are the bread and butter of spacefaring adventures.
Role-Playing Tip: Describe the eerie glow of alien hieroglyphs on the walls. When players ask, “What do they say?” reply with, “You’re not sure, but they definitely rhyme.”
2. The Space Opera: Epic Sagas and Intergalactic Drama
Space operas are like cosmic soap operas with more laser battles. These sprawling epics span star systems, political intrigue, and star-crossed romances. Picture rival factions vying for control of a planet, while a dashing rogue flirts with danger (and alien princesses). Space operas are perfect for long campaigns with twists, turns, and dramatic monologues.
Role-Playing Tip: Channel your inner space diva. When revealing a shocking plot twist, strike a pose and say, “Darlings, the galactic senate is corrupt! And my hair is flawless.”
3. The Mystery: Cosmic Whodunits and Nebula Noir
Mysteries are like cosmic puzzles. Your crew investigates strange occurrences, missing starships, or cryptic alien artifacts. Expect red herrings, shady NPCs, and secret societies. Whether it’s deciphering alien codes or unmasking shape-shifting impostors, mysteries keep players guessing.
Role-Playing Tip: Wear a cosmic trench coat and squint your eyes. When players ask, “What do we find in the captain’s quarters?” reply with, “A half-eaten space noodle and a love letter signed ‘XOXO, Zogon.’”
4. The Exploration: Cosmic Cartography and Nebula Noodles (Yes, Again)
Exploration adventures are like cosmic road trips. Your crew charts uncharted systems, discovers new planets, and encounters bizarre alien life. Think terraforming experiments gone awry, lost colonies, and sentient nebulae. Exploration adventures are perfect for sandbox campaigns where players shape the universe.
Role-Playing Tip: Describe the alien flora and fauna. When players ask, “What does the space cactus look like?” reply with, “It’s prickly, photosynthetic, and has a crush on the moon.”
In Conclusion: Cosmic Crits and Infinite Possibilities
So there you have it, GMs! Running your first adventure is like piloting a starship blindfolded. Next time, we’ll delve into Types of Adventures. Get ready for space dragons, cryptic riddles, and the occasional dance-off with nebulae. Until then, may your dice roll high, your starship soar, and your cosmic playlist be forever groovy.
Disclaimer: No actual starships were harmed in the making of this article. The author may or may not have been fueled by copious amounts of cosmic coffee.
1: [GM Advice: 10 Awesome Plot Hooks to Start Your Adventure (or Campaign)](http://www.creightonbroadhurst.com/gm-advice-10-awesome-plot-hooks-to
