FASA's Aliens You Love To Hate

[Breimh]

I'm about to start a new RP that might or might not be long term. It all depends on whether or not the players like the game (since they're new to role-playing, and I'm a bit rusty with the system, as it's been about 8 years since I've run the FASA version of Trek).

So, tell me what aliens in the FASA RPG system do you like as opponents for the characters, and why those aliens in particular. I want to make this game REALLY good, so they'll keep coming back for more. (Yes, that's a plot of every good but evil game-master.) ;)

[Creed]

We had a lot of fun with the Kzinti..
Chauvinist, atavistic and fond of the odd bit of live food.
We had great games where the players were masquerading as cat-folk... and lamenting the way hair got everywhere...

[Breimh]

Sorry, I've been dealing with a pretty severe medical condition, of late, that's kept me away from the computer aside from simply checking my e-mail from time to time.

I'm sorry - also - that my words have been misinterpreted, but I had meant that the game I am running is actually in real time, not online, but with a local group of gamers. I have actually been running this particular group through a couple of short puzzle-based type of scenarios. My intent was to not only generate discussion, but allow those of us who run games to share some ideas, and help one another grasp the concepts of one alien type or another that we might not be as familiar with as say the Klingons or Romulans.

I hope my words and intentions will be a bit more clear in future postings.

As for answering your other question about a database for alien species, I believe that there is one that is continuing to be hosted by a group that utilizes the Decypher rpg system of Star Trek. I don't really know of any that was created or is utilized by FASA players, specifically. Though, if someone else knows of such a thing, I'd be eager to find out about it as well.

[Kevin Tinsley]

The Decipher system contains background data on about 13 different species. Using their system, I have also created the Changelings(Dominion), Jem'Hadar, and Vorta. I'd be willing to send you what I've created if you so desire.

[Breimh]

That would be awesome, thanks! :) I actually have moved from the FASA system, with my game group, to LUG/Decipher, which seems to be going very well. We're looking for more of the species that were found in DS9 and VOY, now, but haven't had much luck finding many of them in open source files.

[Kevin Tinsley]

My favorite species has always been the Caitians. (Meow);)

[Breimh]

Why do you like them so much?

[Reynaldo Garza III]

Hmm,...U could try the K'zin (fleshed out for the game in one of the old "Stardate" magazines put out by FASA), The Skarr (i think that was their name...the birdlike race from the TAS ep "The Jihad")

I used to like to create my own (with a Commodore-C64 program I wrote back then....LOL) It would create the race description, determine its sentience (animal or higher-intelligence), basic physical description (Ht/Wt/Build/Biped or not) and even create its homeworld and NAME it! LOL! If it was a space-capable race, it would also determine whether or not it had Warp drive capability! :) I really miss that old program....
OR,...u could do one more thing I used to: translate races into Star Trek from other games like "Star Frontiers" or "Traveler".
In "my" Fasa-Trek universe, (Pre-Borg, of course, as it was 1985 and TNG wasn't out yet) the Romulans were getting their butts handed to them by a psionic race from "Traveler" that were coming from the other side of their empire, opposite from the Federation. To that race, even Vulcan Psionics were crude and simple by comparison. They were even more militaristic and brutal than the Klingons or Romulans, and a definite threat to the entire quadrant. :)

[Wil Hostman]

The FASA Romulans and Klingons are both fairly well done (if non-canon, now). I always added the kzin (as Catian, but up strength by 20); I don't recall the kzinti being included in FASA Trek books.

[Breimh]

The Kzinti weren't included in the FASA books, but in the STARDATE magazine that would post articles and new things to add to the game. :)

[Achbar]

I dislike the Jokes they made of Orions in the FASA system

[Breimh]

They actually made them a bit more formidable in the LUG/Decipher rules, which I am using with another gaming group as we continue our Trek across the stars.

[Kishin]

I'm not a gamer, but I collected a lot of FASA material to see how the Klingons were represented. I was delighted. Smoothheads among the knotheads--and women at the helm. Cool art, respectful scenarios:-) KAI!
Have to admit, I am little constrained by canon when I react to Trek-related material. I value the stuff that bubbles up on the margins--fannish projections especially. But this "pro" material had its own integrity. I was grateful to see it.