(Draw lines connecting characters & factions, adding notes to define ties.)
We are... (Tick one)
☐ Soldiers (War Story)
☐ Armournauts (Mercenary Saga)
☐ The Exiles (Outcasts)
☐ GELF Rebels (Bioengineered Fugitives)
☐ Alchemists (Pillarite Seekers)
☐ Other: _________________________
Our Unifying Goal:
"We stick together because..."
(e.g., "We swore a blood oath to protect Colony X" / "We all want revenge on the Union" / "Profit is the only loyalty")
Key Questions:
Who secretly respects a rival within the crew?
Who is hiding an injury, addiction, or mental deterioration?
Who has a lover or family member on the other side of a conflict?
Who is secretly documenting the crew’s journey (diary, logs, evidence)?
Who would switch sides if the price was right?
Who has a hidden skill that hasn't been revealed yet?
Who is being blackmailed, and by whom?
Who has a secret ambition to lead the crew?
Who is secretly terrified of another crew member?
Who has already planned their escape if things go wrong?
Have we ever seen our backer's face? If not, why?
What is the one thing our backer refuses to provide us?
Does our backer have other crews on their payroll?
What would make our backer cut ties with us instantly?
Is our backer in over their head? Are they losing power?
Who else wants our backer dead or ruined?
Does our backer owe someone else our services?
What does our backer fear?
Has our backer ever visited us in person? What happened?
Is our backer's identity a secret from the rest of the galaxy?
What is the one rule that has never been broken—and why?
Who holds the crew together when everything falls apart?
Who is most likely to suggest a job that crosses a moral line?
Who is the crew's moral compass? Do they listen to them?
What argument nearly tore the crew apart? What stopped it?
Who is the crew's unofficial leader? Is it contested?
Who is most protective of the crew's resources (money, gear, ship)?
Who is most likely to forgive a betrayal? Who will never forget?
What ritual or tradition does the crew share (a drink, a toast, a joke)?
Who is the crew's luckiest member? Who is the unluckiest?
Which faction would offer us the most to betray our backer?
Which faction scares us the most? Why?
Who in the crew has a contact in an enemy faction?
What faction is quietly watching us, waiting for the right moment?
Which faction's collapse would benefit us most?
Which faction's rise would doom us?
Who have we wronged that we've forgotten about—but they haven't forgotten us?
What faction has no idea we exist, but would care greatly if they found out?
Which faction shares a common enemy with us? Could we exploit that?
What is the most powerful faction in our region, and why aren't we working for them?
What is each character's exit plan? (Retirement, revenge, peace, power?)
What would make each character leave the crew for good?
What is each character unwilling to sacrifice for the crew?
What does each character want more than money?
What would each character kill to protect?
What does each character feel guilty about?
What does each character dream about at night?
What does each character lie to themselves about?
What would each character change about the crew if they could?
What does each character think they will be remembered for?
What is the crew's greatest victory that no one knows about?
What is the crew's greatest failure that they hide?
What illegal or shameful act does the crew collectively pretend didn't happen?
What valuable thing are the crew unknowingly carrying?
Who from the crew's past is looking for them—and why?
What rumor about the crew is completely false, but useful?
What rumor about the crew is completely true, and dangerous?
Who is the crew protecting without their knowledge?
What debt does the crew collectively owe that is coming due?
What secret about the galaxy does the crew know that would change everything if revealed?
(Define the patron who sponsors the crew)
Name: __________________________________________________________________
Who Are They? (Circle all that apply)
A Wealthy Individual / A Corporate Executive / A Crime Lord / A Political Faction / A Military Officer / A Mysterious Benefactor / An AI / A Religious Leader / Other: _______________
What Do They Provide? (Circle all that apply)
Free Equipment / Maintenance Coverage / Replacement Gear / Intel & Contracts / Safe Houses / Legal Protection / Vehicle Upgrades / A Steady Stipend / Other: ___________________
Why Do They Sponsor Us?
What Do They Want From Us? (The strings attached)
The Relationship:
☐ They are loyal to us (genuinely invested in our success)
☐ They are manipulative (we are pawns in a larger game)
☐ They barely tolerate us (we are useful, nothing more)
☐ Other: ___________________________________
Follow-Up Questions:
Have we ever failed them? What happened? __________________________________
Who is our contact? (A person, a dead drop, an AI?) __________________________
What happens if we lose their backing? ______________________________________
(If the crew has founded any groups, institutions, or enterprises)
Organization 1 Name: ____________________________________________________
Type: (Criminal / Corporate / Military / Commune / Political / Other) ______________
Development Level: (1 = Small Local / 2+ = Growing) ________________________
What does it provide us? (Passive Income / Asset Points / Intel / Other) ________
Who runs it day-to-day? _________________________________________________
Organization 2 Name: ____________________________________________________
Type: (Criminal / Corporate / Military / Commune / Political / Other) ______________
Development Level: (1 = Small Local / 2+ = Growing) ________________________
What does it provide us? (Passive Income / Asset Points / Intel / Other) ________
Who runs it day-to-day? _________________________________________________
(Collaboratively decide)
“We reward…” (e.g., “Recruiting new members”)
“We never…” (e.g., “Leave a teammate behind”)
“We always…” (e.g., “Split the loot evenly”)
“If you betray us…” (e.g., “You get spaced”)
Fill Out Together in Session Zero (use physical paper or a digital whiteboard).
Draw Lines between PCs/NPCs with notes like "OWES A DEBT" or "HIDES THE TRUTH".
Keep It Visible during play—update it as loyalties shift.