Forum

I could use some input on this.

My group has decided to go the archaeologist/explorer route with a strong leaning towards being “space tomb raiders”. Think sci-fi Indiana Jones. What I plan on doing is selecting/making up a few (maybe 5) artifacts, pimp them up a bit, and write 5 “rumors” around them; just a bit of vague, probably allegory/legend like prompts to give them some idea of what the artifacts might be. From there, I'll let them pick which one to pursue and work towards. Making birr to keep flying and pay off their debts is always fun, but I feel like this will give them proper goals to work towards (besides the general story arcs I've got planned for them).

I was thinking of establishing a list of sorts of milestones for each artifact: things they need to find out/investigate before they can actually go after it. I'd make a few milestones absolute requirements and a few optional: the more milestone they “unlock”, the better prepared they'll be but the longer it'll take them, making it possible for the competition to beat them to the punch (basically: the longer they wait, the more complications I plan on throwing at them).

So far, nothing's extremely clear, but I can already say that the first few required milestones will be the following:
-Location (which System)
-Location (which Planet/Asteroid/etc... in the System)
-Location (where on the Planet)

Optional:
-Physical nature of the Artifact (what it might look like, it's size, it's physical makeup)
-Defences in place at the artifact site (if there are any)
-Situation around the site (the locals, if there are factionary conflicts, etc...)
-Possible complications in securing the artifact
-Possible effect
-Value / What other parties might want it

I figure the milestones themselves can be unlocked in different manners: spending Birr, doing long term research (by using downtime between sessions, which would translate in forgoing spending XP), as rewards/payment for missions or as mini-missions.

What I'm looking for is input and if anyone else has any idea what I might add.

Interesting concept! Seems like it would be a lot of fun!

What is the end goal of your adventure? Is it just to find these 5 artifacts, sell them and be done with it?
Are the artifacts related in any way? Why should they hunt down these ones in particular?

I would recommed having a tangleble antagonist, either The partys Nemesis or another actor. Make the players feel like its a race against time.

I think you should add “the legend”.
That could be an ancient text or data bank, a rumour, a child’s story, but the point is, for a true Indiana Jones in space vibe, you need that initial story about the artefact that sucks the players in.