This is a general OOC conversation thread to get us started.

Good morning.  Among the two proposed campaign styles we have one vote for the diplomatic option and three stated preferences for the sand box style, with acknowledgements about players and the GM needing to remain actively involved in such a model.

So, let's put it here where we can discuss:

Any other campaign ideas that sound interesting?  (An example and possible hybrid is Devonian Xeno-scouts, officially working for a House but specifically charged with exploring the unknown.  This would preclude too many adventures in known space.  It would mostly be adventures that don't deal with the Terran Empire directly, not my preference, however.)

Any objections to proceeding with a Firefly-esque sandbox style?

If we do so, I'm planning an introductory adventure that will let us stretch our collective memory for playing and get you a ship.  After that, you as a crew need to decide what to do next and I will work out a scenario.

Good morning.

I think the Firefly-esqe option is a classic storytelling set up. We get a familiar setting, a reason for a small crew to be together, and an ever changing backdrop.

It would be my vote.

Hmm.
I did go for Crime Tech with the first campaign style in mind.
A Crime Tech is definitely of less use in a Firefly Style game.
Mind, I do not object to that style. Only a bit uncertain about the profession's use on board a space vessel.
Then again, a lot depends on the others' choice of profession.

Were you envisioning something in line with law enforcement or private investigation Yom?

Actually something "agent"-like, or security detail/ surveillance/ protection, maybe even sniper/ assassin.
Perhaps infiltration but not "thief"/ "burglar".
As is my pot-rolls kind of foiled the ideas I had.
Naturally I would not re-roll but only exchange the Prime Stats.
Like I said: Firefly style requires imho Technicians and at least on Pilot or Explorer
It really depend on the choice of Quirrel and Rhawn.
I could go EW for ship operations I guess.

Between Osguns and Yom we might have the beginnings of more of a bounty hunting outfit?

Yom's skill sets might lend themselves more towards the investigation, surveillance, surreptitious side of things, while Osguns might be more on the apprehension end.

Just a suggestion, given that Osguns will likely not be a mental giant with his rolls. I went straight "as rolled" for the challenge, so just playing to his strength s.

? Meaning? No allocation but 1st roll = Ag, 2nd roll = Co etc?

In terms of parallels don’t read too much into Firefly as a model.  It’s a short hand way of saying “a bunch of misfits in a ship flying around getting to shit.”  Crime technical are essential in almost any adventuring party.

There is an optional rule where you roll stats, then roll potentials, then place them where you want them.  For that, you keep your originals (don’t replace primes with 90’s), roll the potentials, then place the stats.  You can still put your lowest into the primes, you use the same roll on the dice vice 90 to determine the potential.

I’m not home right now, when I get back I can cut and paste the rule with an example for consideration.

Correct, rolled for each stat, keeping that stat in place.

No allocation.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 9):

Yeah, saw that option too ... somewhere ...

Optional Rule 12.1

Under this optional rule, the order in
which the steps of the process are
performed is changed. The 1 O temporary
stats are rolled normally, then the potentials
are rolled , then the temporary/
potential stat pairs are assigned to the
specific characteristics, and finally the
profession is chosen.

Under this optional rule, the order in
which the steps of the process are
performed is changed. The 1 O temporary
stats are rolled normally, then the potentials
are rolled , then the temporary/
potential stat pairs are assigned to the
specific characteristics, and finally the
profession is chosen.

Right, let's go with the Sandbox model.  I'll refine the introductory adventure I have based on the characters when they are done.

In that regard, what charts do you guys need?  I put the Smooth Stat Modifiers chart in the Character Creation thread.  Note that you tend to comeu= out with a couple of more Development points with that chart as well.

Does anyone need the Character Development Chart that lists the costs of skills by profession?

Does anyone need the Secondary Skills Chart listing the costs of those skills by profession?

Does anyone need the Racial Statistics Chart with the details on each race?  (Or just the info on your own)

There is also a Master Equipment chart and a Master Weapons Chart.

I could use race info for Osgun on my end please. Just his particular.

I'll send it via Private Message.

Nothing required, I have it

Just to make sure we are on the same page.

We are using the Smooth Stat Bonuses in the Character Creation thread.  The attribute bonuses from the Racial Characteristics Chart are added to the Bonus, not to the Stat directly.

Thanks.

Just chilling out at the Nexus Cafe over a PGGB while listening to the live band Black Hole In My Head...

Although Rhawn is technically a Field Scientist, I'm envisioning him more as a crackpot inventor crossed with MacGyver. If he's able to pull a rabbit out of a hat, it'll be a very small rabbit (no lions or T. Rexes).

All, please remember to use the die roller here.  Label the roll for what it's for please, makes it easier to track.

Okay folks, with Petra we now have six players.  I turned off the recruiting flag.  Hopefully we don't have too much attrition.

Petra, we came to a consensus around the 'space vagabonds' or 'crew of misfits traveling through space getting into trouble' campaign model.  :)  Welcome!

It was pointed out to me (thank you!) that I had many of the Prime requisites wrong in the Character Creation thread.  I do apologize for that, it was entirely my laziness, I copied that from a previous game I GMed that was in 1st edition and changes to the prime requisites is one of the major changes between editions.  You may, of course, adjust stats as appropriate (swapping values from a mistakenly prime to an actual prime.)

Hello everyone!  I was wondering if we had anyone who was going to be taking piloting skills?  I can, as an explorer, but I was debating whether I was going to or not.

Petra is a Pilot by profession I believe.  Still haven't heard from Rhawn and Quirell as to what profession they chose.  (or if I did I missed and apologize.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:35, Sun 23 Apr 2023.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 23):

Great, I don't have to focus there and can just be a back up!

Took me a while to get my head wrapped around the maneuvering in armor rules.  I think I finally have it!

Rhawn is a Scientist Engineer

As Iwas wading through the mountain of skills, I had the same thought: should we be coorditing our character generation so that we don't miss anything?

If we're going to have a ship, for instance, who's going to fix it?

Areas that probably need covered:

Combat
Communications
Sensors
Piloting
Astrogation
Gunnery
Medic

Stealth
Burglary
Diplomacy
Law

You will notice looking through the skills that many of the Tech skills are paired up with Engineering skills.  The Tech skills are used for repair and building, the Engineering for Design.  Also, it is a good idea to get the Scanner Analysis skill if you can for relatively inexpensive DP cost.

Am a bit confused about BO  options for wealth and General Outfitting.
Specifically and Can we nail this down a bit more please?
What's allowed and what not?

This is at the bottom of Message #1 in the Character Creation Thread:



You get that regardless of how you spend your background options.  I don't care what you spend your money on, but there are no power swords.  You are all adults, make your own call rgarding how much cash you want to have in reserve.

I had a request from someone who wants to use a profession from Companion II.  Looking over those professions there are really only two that fit in with what I'm trying to do here.  One is the one requested: Black Market Merchant/Smuggler.  The other is the Bounty Hunter.  If someone is interested in the Bounty Hunter let me know and I will show you the details.

Hello. My character will be playing the medic of the group. I imagine that my character might actually take on the role of spokesman or diplomat.

About that BM Merchant...
Which skills are developed as Explorer???

Combat and weapon skills as Entertainer, Secondary skills as Criminologist, all other primary skills as Explorer.

Quirell made a character sheet template based off the Role Master one here on RPOL.  It is text/ASCII.  If anyone wants to use it it is available as a template here now and I can cut & paste into your sheet if you like.

Thank you Quirell

Can you paste it under the information that is already there and I can transcribe it over and delete my notes as I add it to the sheet?

Thank you, Quirell!  Much appreciated, I’d love to have the sheet to work with.

Okay Petra, copied the sheet into your space here

For flavor, I added a list of Major Houses in the History of the Terran Empire thread.

I would like a copy of the character sheet with your updates as well placed in the template character description.

Thank you.

Done!  Let me know if I missed anything in my review

Thank you!

Should we just make up a home world? I don't mean specifics or whole setting like you did with the example planet. I am mostly referring to home world gravitation because of the MM effects. Or just assume 1g?

Unless you are a Humanoid that needs to explain the natural mutation/adaptations, you can expect that your homeworld is within Terran normal ranges for most things.  Gravity in the 0.8-1.2 range, climate can have extremes, but the world overall has mixed climate zones like Earth, etc.

Hyperion is from one of the books, I didn't make it up.  It's just a convenient place as a base of operations, at least to start, for a group of people from all over.

I put up the intro game thread to give you a sense of where we will start in terms of what your character has been up to in the most recent months/years.  Essentially, transitioning from your background story to being established on Hyperion IX.  That transition, in some sort of brief narrative, needs to be part of your first post describing you, how you got to Hyperion, and detailing an opportunity to have met at least one of the other characters.  You are welcome and encouraged to work out in advance among yourselves some relationship, it can be deep or tenuous, such that a web will form where all of the PCs know or know of each other.

I also locked the game thread for now, I will open it as characters are finished and approved.  Between the description of the city in the game thread and that of the non-Sperinx parts of the planet in the Places thread, hopefully you have a sense of the environment.

Yikes, obviously I'm far behind CharGen... need to hurry up

I will emphasize two points, one that frequently comes up in games starting at Level 1 and one that is specific to a few questions.  Since characters are level 1 they are likely young and with minimal experience.  These are not old veterans; they are likely just out of Apprenticeship and embarking on their own careers.  Second, the Terran Empire is a civilized polity with enforced laws; heavy weapons are not the norm except on frontier worlds in the process of being explored or tamed, with a few exceptions notably in violent uprisings or military action.  I may not have made it clear in the Expectations, but I'm not running a military game.  I sincerely hope we never escalate to the point of support weapons or grenade launchers.

I have 2 questions about character generation.

Where are the Adolescent tables for race or character?

We do not roll on stat table games for first level correct?

I just realized that spacemaster has half the development skill points then Rolemaster.

I am sure that the GM will correct me if I am wrong, but given this is SM 2e (which is closer to RM 2e/Classic), there are no separate tables for adolescent advancement, it is simply another development cycle with DPs to spend.

And you do not get any stat gain rolls at first level.  They start when you do your advancement/development point spending for second level.

Also, DPs are lower (but as noted above the same mechanic as the old RM 2e/Classic), but also the DP costs for skills are lower or rather, since you get +5 per rank (and no categories to spend on), they are sort of equivalent (though a bit courser/less fine grained) when compared to RMFRP or SM:Privateers mechanics.

Essentially correct, Petra.  There are fewer skills than in RMSS and you get more for each rank as well.  With the smooth stat bonuses most people will see a slight bump in DPs also, 2-5 points.  Your adolescent development uses the same DPs as your apprenticeship and the same profession costs.  You do them separately though, don't mix the points.  Please map out somewhere how you are spending DPs as well.

Are you keeping the Beginnings thread closed until more of us are approved, or should we be posting our intro in a PM for approval first?


Ignore this; didn't fully read the above post....
This message was last edited by the player at 04:40, Wed 26 Apr 2023.

Note, I set the die roller to default to open ended 1d100 fumbles on 5, the default for SM.  If you need to roll a non-open-ended 1d100 just clear the drop down that specifies it is a Rolemaster/Spacemaster roll.  Also, when rolling hits it's a good idea to record each die.

Just tinkering with equipment at this point.

Otherwise ready.

Osgun, I don't see anything in the character sheet.

As far as I can tell Yom Argo, Rhawn Thull and Petra Jelinek are almost done.

Chime in here if your character is done, character sheet on RPOL is filled out (largely; gear can wait, exhaustion points and other minor details can wait), and you feel you are ready for review.

Thanks.

My sheet is ready for review.  I don't have all of my gear finalized (and some final calculations), nor are some of the role playing traits fully filled in, but the skills and stats should all be accurate at this point.

I had a couple of emergencies pop up on me.  I don't have a whole lot left to complete but will either be tomorrow or Saturday morning before I can finish it all up.

Hmm

Hit = CO/10 (rounded off) + [no of rnk Body Development] * [dice dependent on race]

Right ?

So what is CO bonus used for ?

I work off of mobile a lot, so it's going to take me a few days to get his numbers from the PM thread transcribed. But thankfully they are all there ready to go.

Should be fun.

 Base Hits is CO/10.  Then roll hit dice equal to the ranks of Body Development, add the total to the Base.  That is your new Base Hits and it needs to be recorded separately.  Then add a percentage based on your CO bonus, essentially, multiply the base by 1+CO bonus as a decimal.  If CO bonus is +10 your final hits is Base x 1.1.  You need to record the Base because next level any new hit dice are added to the base before multiplying by the CO bonus.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 57):

Hmpf, yeah, found it in p.6
Thanks

If Con goes up, do base hit points rise for con divided by 10 or does only con bonus modify hit point after character generation?

The CO/10 Base does not change as far as I can tell.  However, the multiplier based on the CO bonus is applied after hit dice are added to that base at every level.

Let's say you have Base Hits of 9 (90 CO) with a +10 bonus.  You roll two hit dice at level 1 and add 13.  Your new base is 22.  Then multiply and you get 24 Hits.  At second level you do your stat gain rolls and your CO drops 3 points.  Now it's an 87 with a +9 bonus.  Your base is still 22, add another two hit dice, rolling 9, your base is now 31.  Then multiply that base by the new +9 bonus (x1.09) gets you 34 hits.

Looks like Petra is done!

Who's next?

*slight static* This is your pilot speaking.  We have achieved lift-off and you are free to move about the cabin...

Petra is from a (cold) frontier world in Zone 3 near Devon and Hyperion IX.  She is a third-generation colonist and trained as a flyer/pilot from a young age.  She is a decent h-space (and n-space) pilot, but young - and known to be an innovativereckless problem-solver.  She is also an avid grav cyclist.  So, you could have met her in any official (or unofficial) capacity that required driving/piloting (she also spectates as she's always interesting in the latest vehicle tech and maneuvers.  She trained hydrofoils, grav vehicles, and all types of gravitic shuttles and spacecraft.  She is also trained in astrogation (and has basic understanding of other basic bridge functions:  comms, sensors, &c.).

She was recently (about six months ago) discharged from the Imperial Military, where she served as a ... wait for it... pilot.  So, connections from serving on the same ship/missions is also a possibility (though she's spent the last year or so of her service in recovering from  a crash, so there is that) for other veterans.

Since then, odd jobs it is, while working passage along the star lanes to get to Hyperion IX.

If any of you are interested in connecting, just let me know here or by PM.

We need not use the CharSheet provided, right?
Do you prefer to have all skills listed or only those that have been developed, i.e. have ranks in?

I think I've got my character hammered out. Still needs some fine-tuning and tweaking... but then the rules are so convoluted and disjointed I may have just created a canine.

In reply to Yom Argo (msg # 63):

I don't need all the skill, and you don't have to use the template.  As long as everything is there and relatively easy to find.  The template, being based off RMSS (I believe) has things that don't apply, but all the necessary things are there.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 65):

Yeah, cannot make much sense of the Movement tables/speed/pace, Exhaustion Points.

I think I'm done.

How much input do you expect on Demeanor and Personality.
I typically prefer not to write that down at the start of a game but kind of develop the personality.
I have a fairly clear picture of Yom in my head but find it somewhat difficult to write it down.

As mentioned before, as a Crime Tech I'm not really useful at this point for space vessel operation. While the Technicals Skills are cheap DP-wise, I don't have good enough Me to be much use, still I might be convinced to invest into some of those in the future.

The depraved society he has been living in has made him fairly callous, not empathic, so he is also not the best socializer.
Still, Yom has acquired some skills there to indulge the rich tourists of Joyeuse.

As a Standard Human, he is clearly inferior to those he had to indulge, which has made him somewhat resentful, not rascist, though. He definitely envies the rich or nobles for their lifes of luxury which has made him susceptible for criminal (or at least not exactly legal) activities.

Movement is (as with most things in this game) complicated, but I will "simplify" to this base:

Add your ST and QU modifiers.  Use this as a multiplier to a base of 17 m/turn.  Example, ST mod is 7 and QU mod is 5, total is 12.  Base move (17) x 1.12 = 19.04, rounds to 19.  I amnot going to track or use exhaustion points.  We'll deal with pace and speed multipliers if it becomes relevant.

No I don't expect people to fill out things like demeanor and personality, though I encourage at least one-word placeholders that give a sense of who they are.  But since other players can't see the character sheets, the important thing is what goes into the description.

There I want you all to put a couple of things.  1) what anyone can tell by looking at your character for a few minutes.  That includes physical appearance, build, apparent strength and agility, any other high stats that would affect the impression they give (like a high PR and AP), clothing typically worn, any mannerisms, accents, etc.  2) anything someone who knows your character through association would know, like any background info they would freely share, any gear they own they would not walk a civilized street carrying, etc. 3) a picture if you have one that is different or better than the portrait, still prefer no anime or "cartoony" images.

Also, you guys don't have a ship yet, individually or as a team, so don't fret too much about shipboard roles.  In any case, the hey is not to make people who would be the ideal crew for a ship rather to make a diverse team with skills useful across a spectrum.  Trust me to take care of any skills gaps when it comes to the ship.

So far we have a pilot who can drive an assortment of vehicles and more or less protect herself.
A thief type good at getting in and out unnoticed and also at defending himself.
An armsman that can pack a solid punch
An engineer, presumably also able to defense himself
A smuggler with back up piloting skills, some ability as a trader and negotiator
and a physician

That's pretty good balance.  A lot of useful skills for general adventuring, for handling a ship, getting out of a fight alive, etc.

Question on similar skills:
Half Rank means roumded down or up?
Rnk 3 in Laser Pistol mean 1 (or 2?) Rnk in similar Enerny Pistols

There is no specific rule that I can find that says how to round, but in every example or situation where it is mentioned they say either round normally (0.5+ goes up, less than 0.5 goes down) or to round up.  Therefore, let's round it up.

When thinking about your first IC post introducing yourself please remember that you can decide how long ago you arrived at Emerich Rach's city-state on Hyperion IX, whether you did any other (small) jobs for Emerich since then, and the sparse conditions under which you are living.  My current plan is to begin when you are called up for a bigger job than any you've done before, a real opportunity.

How are folks coming along?  I know a couple are done and I would like to keep some sort of momentum.  However, I also want to give everyone a chance to get their character right and we have one more potential player joining.  Looking at your own current status, chime in and let me know if you think you will be ready for game start by Friday evening whatever your time may be, please.

Chiming-in; I believe that I am ready for a Friday evening start!  *rubs hands together eagerly*

I also believe to be finished and ready to start.

95 percent there, likely good enough to start.

Ready to go, too... just fine-tuning my character sheet so it's more coherent.

My character is now done too but not reviewed. The history is there it's kind of clunky.

Quirrel is a trainer in his spare time for a power raking team and frequently gambles. Perhaps someone's needed a 'Street doctor' before, no questions asked.

I still need to transcribe the character sheet info I have to the main one. Other than that, I should be ready.

At least one of you has a personal Velocity Shield.  The shield when active gives the following DB bonuses:  vs. Energy: +0, vs. Projectiles: +60, vs. Missile: =45 and vs. Melee: +30.

Okay, it looks like almost everyone is ready.  The newest addition (Natakkoa) is the only person we are waiting on.  Therefore I will open up the game thread.  Please post an introduction, as I said earlier, with some sense of how long you've been on Hyperion IX, if you did a small job or to before for the Rach organization, something about that, and living conditions.  End your post with the character leaving to attend the briefing, but do not include arriving at the briefing or any part of that.  Thank you.

Just wanted to stop in and say "Hi!" and to let you all know I'm working as fast as I can to get Natakkoa spun up and ready  -  this was a surprise opportunity for me, and I'm crunching everything from scratch, as fast as differing schedules and communications allow.

There's a LOT of information available, and one does not simply slap a character into a world-rich game without some contemplation and critical thinking.  :-)

Welcome and do take your time.
I felt a bit rushed believing everyone else was already finished. Mind, this is not criticism, it was 100% my own mistake :D.
Luckily, SM is a system where one can easily correct DP expenditure mistakes. So having a clear idea about the concept and character is imho the most important choice/decision to make.
Loving it that we'll have a Planetologist.
BTW, skimming over Star/Planet generation I am a bit surpised to see Hyperion having a habitable planet since it is an O star. Guess I misunderstood the rules provided, lol. And Yom certainly would not kmow that kimd of thing anyway. Plus: with Joyeuse placed also in an O system I actually made the same 'mistake'. GM, feel free to planet Joyeuse in another system (non-O), as long as it is Devon :D

I haven't seen any details on anyone's home worlds.  There is no notification for edits made to character sheets or description.

Hyperion I cut & pasted from the book, any 'error' in the planet's data is from the SM authors.  It is safe to say that it is an exceptional world.

I don't generally use the system or planetary generation stuff, except to choose the appropriate results.  If I roll everything randomly it will be a nearly empty, barren and boring universe.

That's intimidating.  I have an idea about his home world but distances, mass, and area might need some refinement after I'm done or at least a review.

Welcome Natakkoa!  Looking forward to RPing with you!

Waiting for intro posts from Rhawn and Akechi.  If Natakkoa is ready by the time they post she can also post her intro before I move the story along.

I will work on a post this evening.  Diagnosed with Strep so a little out of it the past couple of days.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 86):

I just read your "Experience Point" thread, and just wanted to toss this out there:  I am 100% "OK" with "Milestone" progression, if that's any easier for you.  I feel like characters learn from both successes and failures, and that over the course of a level, it pretty much evens out.

If you wanted to make level advancement at logical "story breaks", you'll get no complaints from me.  :-)

In reply to Natakkoa Tukumpeh (msg # 88):

I want to see how the xp comes out.  I can fudge it outright or give big "good role-playing" and "good idea" bonuses, but I'm curious how hard it is to actually get 10,000 xp (what is needed to advance to level 2).

I always found the first time, ×5 muliplier the most 'troublesome' to rate :).

Folks, I'm loving the intros, but it may not have been clear from the description of Hyperion IX that it is not a normal colony and Emrich Rach's city is not a normal city.  cafes, restaurants and other services exist, certainly; but there are very few children and no colleges or universities or anything.  The business of this city is outlawry and criminal enterprises, and it is disguised as a small trading city to not make it obvious.

Akechi, strep throat sucks, it's miserable.  I hope you feel better soon.

So, someone is recruiting a gang and we're IT!

Or else we're on Santa's naughty list already. Boss Santa?

Hyperion attracts ne'er-do-wells like moths to a flame.  This line is key, though it doesn't go into much detail:  "The criminals and mercenaries which constitute the Hyperian population have adopted the refugee Spheranxe lifestyles, living in relatively quiet communities until a challenging assignment comes along."  Spheranxe and Hyperion are two different, distinct cultures sharing a planet called Hyperion IX.

It was pointed out to me that I left out in the IC thread the part about the job summons.  I have now edited that into the first post.  Please review and you may edit your intro post if you like.

Well, yes, that does make a difference.
Essentially I have this question: what would Rach's City "Police" do if I were to carry a laser rifle?
Or is my 'dismantled' system of that weapon 'safe' enough not to be arrested on first sight.
It was all very much easier with my own real estate on Joyeuse, just keep it there. Now, maybe some locker or safe house or something for a rental fee?
This message was last edited by the player at 18:36, Mon 08 May 2023.

Police?  On Hyperion IX?  They don’t care if you carry a rifle, the goal is not to use it and not to stand out in case anyone from the outside come snooping about.  Do anything they don’t like and they’ll disappear you, of course.

Ok, then we'll postpone the matter of secure locker for now :D

Still a safe place to live, this planet. Just as long as we don't piss off the local government we'll be fine.

Am essentially done with character creation  -  just hammering out the last few details of equipment (just the little things) and fleshing out some non-relevant background stuff for my own amusement.

Am posted in "intro" and off and running!

Pleasure to be here, and I am extremely encouraged by the quality of the writing I've seen thus far!  Good writing is what makes or breaks a PBP game  -  I'm really looking forward to interacting/writing with all of you.  :-)

Hoping Akechi feels better and up to posting an intro.  Then we jump right into the action.

So, I'm reading through the initial character posts, as they give an overview of their characters and show them getting ready for this meeting they've been called to, presumably to be offered a job, and I noticed that *all*, or nearly all, the characters have opted to have been on Hyperion IX for about two months.

And that got me thinking  -  in two months, there's a *chance* of some of us having already bumped into each other, or perhaps noticed each other (without knowing who that other person was, of course), or perhaps some other kind of encounter.

Just wondering, then, if anyone else who's been here for those two months already might be interested in writing up a little history/interaction/observation, flesh out the characters a little, get them a little "voice" time, while we're getting started.

PM me if you're interested, and we can set up a thread.  :-)

Some of that has occurred via PM already but at least those I was involved in kind of did not get finished

I will give Akechi until tomorrow.  I'm traveling tomorrow afternoon on a road-trip (and returning Saturday) so I will advance the game thread when I get settled into the hotel; Akechi can then catch up if he hasn't posted.

And we're off!  :-D

SOOOO tempted to just jump in and start RPing with everyone, but want to give all the active players a chance to get in and post initial responses!

A reminder  -  to myself included!  -  be careful not to "do" too much in the way of Actions without giving other players a chance to react/respond.  Telegraph your intent, and then wait a beat.  Everything is occurring simultaneously, and we want to be careful to incorporate the agency and reactions of the other characters.

In reply to Natakkoa Tukumpeh (msg # 104):

Did I get right that you know how to swim and dive?
Since Yom did spend some time on the beach, trying to cope with the expansive view, he may have seen her perhaps?

In reply to Natakkoa Tukumpeh (msg # 104):

Petra has not posted a reaction to the new situation, let's give her a moment.  COnversations that do not advance the action are okay.

In reply to Yom Argo (msg # 105):

For Nat, "swimming" is a form of Meditation, and one of the main ways she accesses hard to reach geological locations.  She's got everything she needs outside of the deep, deep-sea suits.

If there's a "common" beachhead near the city, and if you've spent a decent amount of time there, I would say that there's a high, high percentage chance you've seen her out there.  Both with and without some gear.

For narrative purposes, go for it!  :-)

Ok, just one further question though.
5'11.5" = 1.82m
However, you list 1.95m
Just want to not mix up (very tall and extremely thin) vs (medium height but very thin)
Going by good old red labelled RM table, not personal opinion :)
This message was last edited by the player at 17:16, Sun 14 May 2023.

In reply to Yom Argo (msg # 108):

Oh, good catch  -  thank you.

5' 11 1/2"  =  1.82m

Fixed.

In reply to Natakkoa Tukumpeh (msg # 109):

Right, so no Humanoid II or III presumptions :D

The multiscanner has a limited arc, to scan in 360 degrees means turning in a circle physically.  Doing so too fast incurs penalties on the roll.  Make a Scanner Analysis roll, open-ended.  Based on how well you roll I can tell how far out you detect anything.  Basic life detection out to 500 m is considered Medium range and Hard (-10).  Number of life units out to 100 m is the same difficulty.

For posting anything OOC in an IC message, like rolls, put a horizontal lin e after the IC text then cut and paste any rolls and add OOC text, all in orange.

Thanks.

---

Like this

23:07, Today: Natakkoa Tukumpeh rolled 71 using 1d100+16 with the Role/Spacemaster system (fumble range of 1 to 5).  Scanner Analysis Roll.  -10 difficulty (# of life signs), +26 skill.

Petra, the local network is down.  There is nothing to connect to.

Well, that makes any roll moot... :D  EDIT:  I've updated my IC post.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:33, Tue 16 May 2023.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 112):

Ok, dumb question, but....how did you get that horizontal line *exactly* the width of the post?  It looks nicer, and cleaner, than a string of "underscores".....

At the bottom of the post editing scren right between Code and SmallCaps is "hr".  That is the horizontal line.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 116):

Cool - thank you.  :-)

Are there any viewports or some such in the room?  Or only the two (closed) doors?

No viewports in this room.  Nothing that wasn’t described.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 119):

Does Nat have any luck with her scan (Main IC thread, msg #19)?

I feel stupid for my assumption that the red blinking light was just an indication that comms was active rather than pointing at an alarm :D.

Other than that I think the Scanner table I have is... weird. Or I simply misinterpreted. Power Emanations can only be detected at long range and thus come with -30 to any maneuvre? At triple range with the repair scanner? My assumption was that a larger, more intense, power source would be easier to detect. Instead it is possible to detect a Personal Comm Beam at 300m range but still with -30. I had hoped to be able to determine the extent of station damage, i.e. reactor off and thus main units (gravity control) off... sort of :D
Well, so be it.

I think we just have to open a door, huh?
This message was last edited by the player at 05:22, Wed 17 May 2023.

The repair scanner has different ranges from the multiscanner.  The only things it can scan in Point Blank, Short of Medium range is "Any Electrical Current" with ranges out to 10, 30 and 50 m respectively.  However, the Power Emanations from the multiscanner chart the repair scanner can read at 3x range.  So a multiscanner can detect ship comms at 500m as Long Range (and not beyond that range).  The repair scanner does the same thing out to 1,500 m.  Doesn't change the range-based difficulty, except to extend those ranges.

Also, the red blinking light is an emergency indicator.  It doesn't really give any information, like the red alert lights on the Enterprise: it just says there is an emergency without further details.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:57, Wed 17 May 2023.

Ok.
What about the various posts concerning the time lapse between heading for the meeting and waking up ?
Can we determine how much time is 'missing'?

Tom, Quirell was at the intercom station, is Yom going try and push him aside to ask the woman those questions?  If so, Quirell gets a reaction, under the Agency Rule.

Actually it was my understanding that Quirell was checking for his gear, roaming through his backpack after he had switched to mute. And he addressed the group.
I did not realize that he was still occupying the space before the door. Checking one's backpack would probably imply sitting down, getting down on one's knees backbavk placed on the floor
[Shrug]
I really don't mind, Yom was busy scanning before he even turned to the comms. So a whole minute, at least, had passed meanwhile.
Anyway, Yom would not have pushed him away from the comms.
If that is the interpretation kindly just delete the post.

Hmm, woild looking at the red light already imply shoving him away, too?

Looking at the light?  No.  In all, this is why descriptive context is important.  Quirell said he was looking in his backpack, but the assumption is he didn't move physically because he didn't say he did.  A backpack is worn, after all, and I gave you guys the leeway to decide how you had your equipment with you.

No worries, not upset or anything, just want to a) make sure everyone gets to post without the story running away from them, and b) preserve each character's agency, and c) clarify the unknowns.

Yeah, last online on Monday...
Maybe decide on some general outline (emphasis being 'general' here) about post rate?
Well, and apologies, seems like all the few games I'm in (never more than 5) dwindle away into inactivity, hence a bit 'restlessness' :D

I modified the Expectations I usually use a bit for this game (it's an iterative thing) and it seems I left out posting expectations.  My expectations are normally for 3-4 IC posts per week, more preferred, but a lot of folks have jobs, families, etc. so I don't feel like I can expect more than that.

Will update tomorrow, those who haven't posted will be standing still and shuffle out of the way.

There's no gravity soio I didn't expect to have to put the backpack down in order to look through it. I will post very shortly, I lost internet early this week.

Hmmm...  Are the characters hungry or thirsty, at all?

In reply to Game Master (msg # 129):

Initially, you indicated our weapons were not ON us, but as I (we) inspect and gather our gear, do we find our weapons *there*?  I have a few items that are both functional and could be considered weapons, if employed as such.  Are any of those items present in our belongings, or are *ALL* "possible weapons" missing?

Anything that is a weapon is not in the room.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 133):

And items that aren't canonically weapons, but could be employed as such?

Specifically, my kit of wood-carving knives and/or my spear-fishing gun?

Note that Nat hasn't actively looked for those items yet, but will once she's done with what she's doing, as Petra is correct  -  we will possibly need to figure out how to defend ourselves.

She brought a spear-fishing gun on a mission?  Yes, it is not there if she had it with her.  On a space station there is absolutely no need for such a thing and it would be considered a weapon.  Wood carving knives, as long as they are not large, no problem.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 135):

The spear-gun wasn't "brought on the mission"  -  it was lifted from her apartment with the rest of her diving gear, which showed up here, with her.  She'd specifically left it in its travel chest, not thinking she'd need it for what was, essentially, a job interview.

She's as surprised as anyone that her diving gear showed up.  :-P

when she has the time to look for it, she'll be sure to not find it.  :-D

Then it is not here.  Neither is the diving gear.  In the introduction Emrich Rach's message said to bring appropriate gear; that is all you have, whatever you took to the breifing.

In case anyone was wondering, this issue has been resolved, and boiled down to some miscommunication and mis-read posts on my part.

We are totally good, and I'm looking forward to writing with everyone in the game.  :-)

Would that be another Scanner Analysis roll or a Crime Tech roll?

I assumed the second roll you made was a CrimeTech roll, that is what is required again, yes.  Generally, if you don't scan a system first with a repair scanner there is an additional -30% or so to the actual crime tech skill.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 140):

It was meant as an Analysis of the 2nd door.
So Crime Tech is +37, not +39.
Does the result still stand, i.e. another Crime Tech roll at +5 to actually open the door?
If the latter, I would make one last IC query whether that is actually what we want at this point... an open door

Yes it still stands.  The locks are easy so I gave you a bonus to open them.  So roll again, using Crime Tech =5 or +42 total, I'll factor the ease bonus myself.

As a side note, don't be shy pinging me via PM if I haven't answered a question or otherwise given results of a skill check; between RPOL and another site I'm either playing or running 20 games and even with notifications I sometimes miss details.

I will advance when you guys open the door, the roll is sufficient to do so.  Also waiting to hear from Osgun and Rhawn, the latter PMed to say he would pst today or tomorrow.

If Osgun and Akechi do not return do you want to recruit more?  You will still be five, so not a bad number.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 144):

I'm open to recruiting more, as long as it's within your preferred "table" capacity.

In a format like this, having a few more writers helps to keep things active, and gives us more inter-personal opportunities.

I vote "yes."

I am impartial in regard to recruiting.

Missing out on a smuggler and armsman will make the fight ahead of us a lot more challenging. More players could help. Then again, there's only so much cover in any encounter to hide behind.

3-4/w is a good frequency for both a 5 and a 7 group.

I'm all on Nat's side with regard to more opportunities.

Coverage of skills would also be better.

On the other hand, more players also means more that propose an idea leaving the quicker poster to contribute and the later only to nod in agreement, which can result in boredom and then quitting or disappearing.

Really, it's the GM's choice

Maybe an rmail would bring them back. They made interesting characters. This is such a niche game I'm not sure we're going to get more players but if a GM wants to try I have no objections. I'd much rather see the other two come back though.

It seems awkward to just ignore the fact that Osgun is in the room.  Even though his player hasn't come back, it's been established that Osgun *is*, in fact, there with us, and had been addressed by at least one other character directly (Nat).

If I/we engage with the character like we would under normal player circumstances, would you be willing to step in and handle replies, or should we all just weirdly talk around him like we've been doing so far, and just assume that he's..."unavailable"?  :-/

If someone speaks to him directly I can reply.  I would rather write him out of the story.  Will see what I can do in a non-violent manner.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 149):

I addressed him briefly in msg #18, but it's not super critical that he reply.

Although...

As little as he *has* posted or interacted, it would really just be easier to ret-con it and leave the character on the "cutting room floor", as it were.  I can edit my post to NOT speak to him, and then we no longer have this awkward situation  -  he just was never there....

Just my 0.02...

That is my preference

In reply to Game Master (msg # 151):

If you do that, let me know, so that I can edit my post with that character.

Uff, should we really edit out any references to Osgun?
Can't we just agree that he is not present and continue on?
That being said: I do hope he does come back

The Alien Environments skill reads:

"The bonus for this skill is taken as the percent of the character's offensive, defensive or maneuver bonus under the given condition."

I take this to mean that if you have +20 in Alien Environments (Zero-G), then your OB, DB and MM bonuses are reduced to 20% of their original values.  An OB of +50 in 1 G would be +10 in Zero G with this skill level.  Light gravity and Zero Gravity are similar conditions.

Ouch, Petra's Zero-G is only +22 (admittedly, she doesn't have 4 ranks in it (yet)) ... and for someone untrained in it, that would mean a negative value?  *sigh* Sucks to be starting characters ... :D

I will not go to negative values, let’s go with zero

Chapter 19 Player Book only refers to MM... and there it is a straight, plain, malus.
Ok, so evryone but Petra is at +0 for OB.
Ouch

The info in the book is quite scattered.  Look at the description for the Alien Environments skill.  There is a little bit also in the discussion of movement and encumbrance saying that skill in maneuvering in the different gravity levels can only offset the penalty on that chart, which only goes as low as 0.3 g.  I like the SM Terran Empire setting and have certain nostalgic feelings about the game, but boy is it complicated and disorganized.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 158):

Given that they often use Underwater Training to simulate Zero-G, might there be any "Similarity" between "Underwater Environment" and "Zero-G Environment"?

This could become very relevant....

Did I misunderstand ? I thought the corridor continues on the left side ?

I'll see about a map.  It goes around and back on the left, to the right it turns and dead-ends.  I'll also get the left-side description up soon.

Yom's results are enough to open sick bay, but I am waiting to see what anyone else is doing or where they are going.

I'm just waiting to see if there are any responses to my various interactions/comments  -  it would feel odd for Nat to move on with unfinished conversations.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:01, Sun 11 June 2023.

Sorry about my absence. Just got home from the hospital. The smoke here is pretty thick and it affected me a little more than expected.

In reply to Quirell Tawny (msg # 164):

No worries  -  hope you're feeling better!

Rhawn hasn't logged in in 9 days....does anyone have a lead on them?

Can Yom give some tips/hints to the others how to open the doors based on the two he has been able to overcome so far?
Orherwise Quirell's idea of splitting up will not be an option

Rough week or so. Bad nursing care at the Rehab facility. Feeling better after an horrible weekend. Just wading through a bout of depression now. Not normally prone to it but this place is pushing my limits.

Best recovery.

Yom will only try to open that 3rd door if Quirrel takes the time to gather that 1stAid Kit.
Otherwise please apply the Scanner Roll to the elevators and I will edit the IC accordingly.

Sorry for not letting everyone know sooner, but I am traveling with family on vacation through the 23rd.  As such, my internet connectivity (and general response times) will be limited.  Feel free to sideline/bot Petra as needed, and I will try to catch up with the rest of the team when I get back (assuming Petra survives until then).  Game on!

Guys? Everyone struggling with RL?

I'm back from travelling.  Still a bit jet-lagged, but more than willing to continue (or reboot, if that is the will of the council)!

I'm here. I was going to let other characters shine while I was gathering supplies in the medical Bay. I thought maybe now would I answer my little joke but I think it fell flat.

Okay, Osgun and Akechi (who never competed a character) I will remove and we can continue with the adventure.

What is the next move?

Since the clock is ticking (it's getting colder because of the lack of life support) there is not enough time for intra-character relation-building but once we have time it should be addressed.
At least that rush is Yom's POV right now...

The elevators have independent shafts.  You can't see one from the other.

How do we procede in this game?
Who is still active?
Quirell and myself only atm ?

Quite a few folk on RPoL call for an ICE game but once one is actually set up it seems like they flounder.
First hurdle is CharGen.
Managed that one. Awesome.
Second hurdle is Activity.
3-4posts/week was the communicated expectation.
Please?

Hey Yom, thanks for the message.  I was traveling yesterday and didn't get to post.   All good questions.  Roll call please.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 177):

Am here.

Lightning took down my internet for a couple days.  Beyond that, it's been other stuff.

Will try to post this weekend.

 I'm here. I'm concerned about earning experience since I'm not a combat oriented character.

In reply to Quirell Tawny (msg # 179):

I'm assuming that XP can be earned via creative thinking, problem solving, advancing the plot, good roleplaying within character parameters, and with superlative skill checks (and/or devastating failures, as some GMs do), out side of the simple "hits/crits" formula.

I mean, there were only two characters originally that were even remotely combat oriented, and neither of those are still here.

If this is all dependent on "combat success," then our characters are already done  -  in more ways than one.

Those XP tables and guidelines are old-fashioned anyway.
The notion of kill points (the last blow) has caused all sorts of trouble over the decades.
It's a skill-based system, I always gave XP for any maneuvre that had a purpose and consequences if failed.
Anyway, none of us are combat oriented. As a Transhuman Quirell is very likely to be the best shot anyway.
I would not be much interested in a military style game.

Also, I doubt that GM would not take countermeasures if some months down the road, Character A would be 3rd level while others would still be 1st.

Inspired Maneuvers is a catch all for any maneuver (MM, SM) that was successful and a purpose or impact on the adventure or goals.  Old school games did focus a lot on killing and looting for experience.  This one not so much on looting.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 182):

Do you reward general good RP, staying true to one's character, for example, or particularly well written scenes?

Or good ideas/tactics/problem solving?  Or do you consider all that just part of "staying alive and leveling up"?



In other news, I will be AFK from Friday afternoon through Sunday late afternoon, US Eastern Standard Time.  I will post - if appropriate  -  upon return.  :-)

In reply to Yom Argo (msg # 181):

Oh, yes  -  you read that correctly.  Nat had originally only asked Petra and Quirell for their contact info -  for reasons.

She decided, a little later, that it would probably be a good idea to have ALL of you tied in.  You didn't misread anything.  :-)

But....neither did he speak up in the moment to offer his own.  One may pause to wonder at *both* of their decisions....  :-D

In reply to Natakkoa Tukumpeh (msg # 184):

No worries, all good and role-play.

Remember, Yom is just plain common human stock. Add in the social contraints on his home planet an inferiority doctrine cultivated and nurtured by the powers that be his stance has turned into 'racism' or derision against those humans of clearly superior genes.

Down the long path of "adventurer" he probably (very likely) will become a strong proponent for revolt/rebellion. Be it vs Rich, vs Nobility, vs Transhumans/Eugenics or even pro Replicant.

So he kind of expects to be excluded and/or simply ignored. It's all he has known in his whole life as just one of the many tiny wheels in the huge clockwork of a whole planet of serving/catering to the crème de la crème of Imperial society.

Did I also perhaps notice a similar tag of the 'in between floor'?

Which in between floor?  You are on the crew deck, below that is Engineering, you haven't been able to check the floor below engineering where the car is stopped.

Folks, this was posted in another game I play in:



StarMaster plays Rhawn Thull in this game and he and I shared over the past couple of years 6-7 games.  He will indeed be missed.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 187):

Ah, I must have misunderstood then, I understood there is a Level between the crew and engineering

In reply to Game Master (msg # 188):

Oh gosh, I played in his 'Secrets of Phandelver' (DnD5e).
He had reported about health issues...
:/

---

I have taken the liberty to post this sad news over there...
This message was last edited by the player at 08:22, Sat 08 July 2023.

That is very sad news.  Rhawn will be missed (and not just in this game, it seems).  My deepest condolences go out to his family and friends.

RIP Starmaster.  You made life so much better for so many here.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 188):

My condolences.  :-(

He was a good player and writer, and will be missed.

In reply to Yom Argo (msg # 185):

As far as you can tell, Nat is *also* human, and hasn't indicated anything to contrary. :-)

For that matter....I don't think either Quirell OR Petra have indicated  -  either by action, statement, or observation  -  that *they* are anything other than human either, at least, not to Nat they haven't.  Your personal interactions may have differed.  :-)

The only place I noted that particular variance is in their Character Bio  -  which is OOC/OOG information, and not something Nat would know.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 187):

Which skill should I use to evaluate the possible efficacy of the comms as we spread out?

And, would you like me to re-roll it, or would you prefer to just apply the roll I had to the appropriate skill?

Good points on player v. character knowledge.

For skill rolls, I realize it saves time to roll and then ask if it was appropriate, but in this case it is probably best not to do so (until we get to combat.)  I don't think it is always necessary to make rolls; you guys are not in any danger even if you bump around the elevator shaft, so a MM is not really required.  If the gravity were to suddenly come on, or someone started shooting at you as you did it, then yes, a roll would be required.

Yom, which door is he trying to open?  Inside the elevator car (which would be two doors) to get into the Hangar deck, or above the elevator car to get into Engineering?  There was no narrative description of him moving up and out of the car so I am not certain.  Thanks
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:08, Mon 10 July 2023.

I meant to activate the elevator starting with its doors.
Reasoning being that if I get it running there won't be need to climb up again to access Engineering.
Two doors? In the cabin itself?
Hmm, then I choose the one that opens in the same direction like I entered the elevator tube on the Crew Deck.

No two doors in that the car/cabin has a set of doors and then there is the set of doors for teh deck itself.  They open together when the elevator is running, but that way there are doors in the cabin and doors on the deck, as the cabin moves.  Like elevators today.

Without power the elevator car isn't going to move.

Umm... the elevators at the pharmaceutical facility I work at do not have two doors... nor those of the Office building.
Anyway, understood.
So first trying to open the elevator door then (only if successful of course) the Deck door

If Yom's character believes Quirell is a Transhuman it is his character's opinion.  He can always ask if he wantsand Quirell can choose to answer, or not.  Yom can choose to believe the answer.  It's all good roleplaying.

In reply to Yom Argo (msg # 199):

What country do you libre in with such poor safety standards?  The car has a door and there is a door on each floor so no one falls into the shaft when the car isn’t there.  That is very basic engineering.  They open together when powered nd the car is at the floor.

The most obvious other-human was Osgun, with his massive bulk.

The freight elevator floor is flush with the shaft, except for max 1cm of course. There is no chance to fall into the shaft, the doors are at each floor. Those are locked unless the cabin is in the right floor. Plus photoelectric barrier.
In fact, you could touch the walls of the shaft in between floors.
Seen it all over Europe.

Folks, don't stress yourselves about Yom's 'prejudice'.
It's a personality quirk and nothing more, solely for roleplay reasons.
I never said that Yom believes anybody is transhuman or that he has special sensors to determine that.
Rest assured that I am capable to differentiate between ooc and ic.
Quirell's connection to Osgun may have been an indication but since we decided to remove Osgun from the script (didn't we?)...
We are 1st level characters, more or less just out of apptenticeship. Not a pilot who has been in dozens of dog fights, or a medic who has fought in dozens of ground battles or a planetologist who has seen dozens of planets.
Mind, that's my pov.
If Petra would display medals and military rank insignia worth a Colonel it would not fit my notion of 1st level.
Not that I would make a ruckus about it.
Roleplay is for fun.
However, naturally Yom would then rate her much more experienced... or influentual.
The age we started with essentially is a measurement of sorts of either the home world's education system or of the character's drive vs dawdling inclination. Or the clout his/her family may have wielded to allow for better training.

Since we were all hired for the same job one might assume the hirerer had a skill set in mind.. and a skill level to reduce costs.
Thus, if anyone displays excellence it is a) training b) skill/age/experience or c) genes.
Again, it is moot, since it is only a quirk.
You can have a general attitude like everyone has the same chances in life etc, i.e. the urban myth of from rags to riches or - and from what I read of the Imperium I assume the latter - that your wealth, influence and genes determines the path ahead of you, or more specifically the ease of your path. That quirk/attitude would have been built depending on the society you were raised in.
Yom has only ever dealt with natives like himself, cheap labour from off-world or the already mentioned crème de la crème... be it aristocracy, wealth or both. Any kind of superiority if you will. I do presume that most of those are transhumans, because if you have wealth and influence you would use it to indulge in eugenics programs, minimum life prolongation, no? He likely has met some sportsman barely his age excel at a physical feat (like the kiting I elaborated upon in background) simply beyond his own capabilities.
Think Gattaca perhaps. And Yom being a bit like the protagonist of that movie Vincent.

So really, it looks like the elaboration on Yom's personality is causing more questions than answers :)
Don't stress yourselves ;)

In reply to Yom Argo (msg # 202):

Heard, and understood.  :-)


I don't know if it's within your preferred writing style, but I have found that posting internal thoughts helps both the general reader and the other players to better understand my character's perspective and motivations.

Not always, and not all of them, and not all at once, but enough so that clues can be dropped for later reveals, or to diffuse possible misunderstandings from another writer's POV, or to just create a little more depth in the character.

I've used this myself thus far to hint that Nat has a therapist back on her home planet, that her organized and methodical approach masks some inner chaos and confusion, her inner critic, and some of the things she's found attractive thus far, but never voiced.

If that's not your thing, that's cool too.  Just thought I'd mention it.

It was exactly my style, too, up to half a year ago. Then one game after another dwindled into nothingness. So was I kind of heavily RTJing but the same thing happened again and again. So well, I kind of got used not to invest too much. Of course, job is playing a huge (the largest) role in that adaption of post length/content.
I role-play to stress out mostly

In reply to Game Master (msg # 201):

An observation and quick question  -  was this comment, , directed at me and my impending use of my Multi-Scanner, or was this directed at Yom?  It wasn't clear from the context, as I'm pretty sure Yom *has* a "Repair Scanner"....

Yes, Yom has indeed a Repair Scanner... and it's also his skill, i.e. with a multi-scanner I'd have to apply Similar Skills mechanic.

With my roll of 78 (post #91) and +30 added in it was a success.

I rolled Crime Tech.
I take it that was the elevator door itself.
Do you need another pair of rolls for the Deck Door?

rolled 64 using 1d100+37 with the Role/Spacemaster system (fumble range of 1 to 5) with rolls of 27.  Crime Technics Hangar Deck Door.

09:08, Today: Yom Argo rolled 23 using 1d100+39 with the Role/Spacemaster system (fumble range of 1 to 5) with rolls of 3,19.  Scanner Analysis Repair Scanner... Hangar Deck Door
Oups, ran out of luck, huh
This message was last edited by the player at 07:12, Fri 14 July 2023.

So, Petra likely knows far better than her player what the difference on between the 'Command' and 'Operations' modules on a space station are.  Should I roll some sort of skill for her?  Or would she have some basic/automatic understanding of which is more likely to house the controls she is familiar with/they are looking for?

The scanner info was generic to inform of some modifiers for the rolls.  The success with 108 is near success, a 90% thing, so I’ll just apply a modifier to the actual open roll.

No need to roll.  Whatever uprose this station has, the primary work is conducted at Operations.  Meanwhile, the leadership or command staff would work out of the command deck.  If this is a TBD relay station, for example, then the comms are managed from Ops.

You, I recognize that this sentence is an internal thinking thing:



But even so, Quirell didn’t say anything out loud, so I don’t think Yom has a basis to make such a supposition.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 209):

Must we really discuss wrong, intended or not, reasoning/thinking?
Kindly allow me to draw my own deductions, even if they are, intentionally or not, wrong.
I'd rather not explain each and every action Yom takes.
No one is required to understand/follow Yom's actions.

Quirell did come into the elevator cabin. Hence he has it would appear that he has some interest in Hangar level.

There's quite some talk going on but not that much relating to actions taken. Quirell may well have explained or elaborated on hia intentions by coming into the cabin.
Instead, I chose to interprete his motives and intentions, just to proceed.

Anyway, first I edited the horrible writing, second I switched 'only' to 'also'.

Hope that suffices.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:05, Sat 15 July 2023.

It is important to separate player knowledge from character knowledge.  Speculation is fine, but it should be clear that it is speculation.  "Maybe he just wants to go to thehangar and get off this station..."  sort of thing.  I will assume basic knowledge of the world, I will not assume that characters have any "off camera" discussions.  That needs to be stated clearly, as when you wrote that he informed the others of the floor labels.  As for off-camera actions, I will assume basic stuff like routine equipment maintenance during down time, bathroom breaks, eating, etc.  But not assume actions that have a story consequence such as setting watches while camped in the wilderness, donning armor or carrying weapons in civilized areas, etc.

Hang on.

I scanned that door in IC91, at 78+30, a partial success or something
The roll of Crime Tech in IC97 was a 115.

I also supplied additional rolls for the Hangar Door itself rather than the elevator door. Not sure what your decision on those were, i.e. whether they were even required at all.

Is that about right?
I.e. a 115 does not suffice?

This is the roll I see in the dice roller for the hangar doors:

03:09, Fri 14 July: Yom Argo rolled 64 using 1d100+37 with the Role/Spacemaster system (fumble range of 1 to 5) with rolls of 27.  Crime Technics Hangar Deck Door.

There is an unlabelled roll on Crime Technics:

03:05, Fri 14 July: Yom Argo rolled 115 using 1d100+37 with the Role/Spacemaster system (fumble range of 1 to 5) with rolls of 78.  Crime Technics.

There is another unlabelled roll at 03:10, Fri 14 July that is identical to the Hangar Deck door but is also unlabelled.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 211):

Nat also rolled a '91' for general perception, looking for the mechanical emergency door release, or any mechanical system that would allow someone to release the doors from inside the elevator tube.  Depending on how obvious those mechanisms are (i.e. - whether they are obvious enough to incur a bonus to the roll), she may or may not have noticed something.

You will notice that I never notified of explicit door names only for those hangar doors because of the confusion we had about double doors which is why I put those rolls there in ooc206.
If you look at the time stamps and my posts...

You know, never mind, not worth the discussion
[Shrug]
Let's carry on

Please do declare the status of the doors.
I take it the elevator door is open but not the deck door?
Or what is the assessment what the 115 roll was for?
This message was last edited by the player at 17:32, Tue 18 July 2023.

Interior elevator doors, fine yes, you got those open.  Please label the rolls and copy them into the bottom of the posts, per the posting guidelines Post #2 in the Expectations notice.

Natakkoa, generally the release would be in the elevator car or in the hallway outside.  Of course, to open from the car there has to be a way for the outer doors to open when the car opens.  But this being the future, it's not mechanical, but electronic, hence the emergency battery.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 216):

Understood.  :-)

In reply to Game Master (msg # 216):

Do you need me to make a perception roll to see if I can see what I see, regarding either venting conduits or maintenance access to/from the elevator shaft, or would you like me to wait until you've had a chance to describe the generally observable stuff (which might be sufficient....) and then see if I need to roll for details?

There will not by Die-Hard style ventilation shafts on a space station.  The air would circulate in smaller pipes since it is all recycled and reused.  In principle the elevator shafts should be in vacuum, as it makes the operation smoother without the pumping action of the air as car moves.  Why the shafts are not in vacuum now is a bit of a mystery.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 219):

Guess Nat and I **both** failed our "Space Engineering" checks.

I blame our low "Zero-grav" skills....   :-P

We have two new players coming on shortly, one is just about done with his character and the other will join and start character generation soon.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 221):

Just making sure I'm reading this correctly before posting a response/reaction  -  but Lev **has** a weapon, a laser rifle, strapped to his back?

Wanted to be sure that was correct....

Yeah, given that the first set of PCs explicitly did not have their weapons present with the rest of their gear.  Petra's first reaction will likely be that that Lev is one of the two armed enemy 'hostiles' on the station.

Actually, that may be an error on my part.

I can retcon if necessary.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:14, Mon 31 July 2023.

In reply to Petra Jelinek (msg # 223):

Yah...that was going to be Nat's reaction too!

Am glad we're checking.  :-)

Edited the post, that'll teach me to post at work!

Folks, I haven't been intentionally stalling, but we have two new players (Lev and Hugh) and this is the best time to introduce them.

For Natakkoa and Petra, they are entering the hallway on the crew deck from two other doors which they can explain later are also crew bunk rooms just like the one where the rest of you woke up.

Lev and Hugh, please read the first couple of posts in the IC thread carefully, as it sets up the situation where you are living on Hyperion IX, departed for an appointment with Emerich Rach, and woke up in the crew bunk room here.  None of you has any memory of arriving at the appointment or anything else before now.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 227):

Howdy all. Looking forward to playing with you.

Just a heads up for Lev and Hugh  -  you'll notice that neither Nat or Petra has actually left the elevator shaft OR re-entered the Crew Deck yet, and it is unknown as to whether either of you has the right angle to have an eye on them yet.

It can be tricky to write a post when you're not 100% sure where the characters are in relation to each other, so don't ever be afraid to send a PM or an OOC or a "private line" to the other player(s) in question to verify.  Otherwise you run the risk of either having to ret-con a post or stepping on another's player/character agency.  :-)


That being said:  Welcome aboard (literally....)!  Glad we've got a full "table" again.  :-)

In reply to Natakkoa Tukumpeh (msg # 229):

Fair enough. I've pulled the last bit and it will probably make an appearance when y'all do :)

I modded my post to take care of that I think.

So ...

"When he saw the two women" becomes "When he eventually saw the two women"

I'll treat that as a holding position (as a player) until events catch up.

I made the assumption that at least one of them had left the elevator shaft, or that Lev had gone as far as the shaft.  So yes, you may edit to take into account that neither of the two men have seen the ladies.  However, as soon as you step out of the crew room you are essentially side by side in the hallway.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 232):

Hugh has not stepped out of the room, however he has opened the door, which Lev would obviously notice since he's standing next to it.

Hopefully you guys have some Engineering skills... we kind of lack those atm ;)

Lev can engineer a drink or a meal, thats about it.

In reply to Lev Serdtse (msg # 235):

I'd say zero, but it's fairer to say "Almost Zero." Hugh can fix a gun, but...

Hah! Our own chronos did not reveal that detail.

Any Update on Yom opening that door?

In reply to Yom Argo (msg # 237):

Msg 29 in the IC is where I got that from.

There's been a little back and forth and I want to get the situation clear.

As I read it: with Lev's Retcon after my edit, there's currently no one in the hallway, Lev and Hugh have each opened the doors which were previously closed to the other bunk rooms. Petra and Natakkoa are in the lift shaft reacting to something (possibly the sound of the doors, possibly to Lev calling out, I don't want to speak for them I'm just trying to clarify the situation).

I think if I have Hugh respond to Lev calling out, that makes Nat's last post accurate (hearing two people) though slightly out of order.

oups, right yoh are!

Maps in the Images and Maps thread updated.

I made a mistake on the locations of the other two crew bunk rooms, let's just ignore that and move on.  Lev and Hugh are in the corridor just outside room 12, directly in front of one of the elevators.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 241):

Which doors did we come from?

The other door is the one just under the door to 13, so it doesn't make any sense in the context of the action so far, you guys would have met directly in front of the elevators.  As that is no longer possible, the best I can do is ignore the continuity error and just put both of you standing in front of the door to 12.

That boot there.
Can it be assesswd whether it is from a lying person or a standing one? I.e. flat on the sole or on the heel and one can see the sole.

well, if the medic goes ahead I suppose Yom can follow :D

Definitely some lying on the ground, or close enough in zero g.  It is not someone standing in the doorway with a foot blocking it like some pushy salesman; more would have been visible in such a case.  :)

Waiting on Petra to update her actions/declarations.  Will proceed tomorrow.

Absence 07th - 14th Aug

In reply to Yom Argo (msg # 248):

I will also be travelling the middle part of August, but I should be able to check in regularly except when I'm actually in transit. I'll be in a different time zone, but this game seems widely spread in that regard.

General advisory that I will be moving 13 time zones this weekend, more or less permanently.  While the move will not alter my posting rate much (after we get settled in), it will alter when I am on line relative to now.  Also, it involves starting a new position so it may be hectic for me for a short while.

Zoinks, @GM!  Congrats on the new position.  Good luck with the move and the (massive) time switch.  Travel safe and take care.  And come back to us only when you are settled and ready!  Exciting times!
This message was last edited by the player at 02:13, Wed 09 Aug 2023.

Sounds like August is going to be a spotty month for posting  -  noted!  Will adjust expectations accordingly.  :-)

Enjoy your vacations and/or relocations, y'all!

Drop a note here when you're back to "normal".

Just a quick post to clarify mapping and positions, as I understand them.


From what I've gleaned from the variety of posts is that, according to the map, Lev and Hugh are at/leaving room #12, and are about to explore the door on their left-hand side of the corridor.

Nat and Petra are in the Bottom-most elevator shaft, just around the corner from the hall that runs into #12.  The topmost elevator shaft is visible from #12, but is not open.

Unless someone comes down the hall far enough, or unless someone leaves the elevator shaft and looks around the corner, as far as I can tell neither party would be able to have eyes on the other just yet.

Does that sound accurate?

That is indeed accurate.  I can, if preferred, put markers on the map where I think people are located.

That would proably be easier. But in this instance, to break the impasse and move forward, can we assume that Lev moved to a point where he can see and be seen by the ladies?

Just narrate that now, you are not restrained and can move towards them at your leisure.  I will advance the action tonight.

Done.

Heading to work soon  -  will post this evening after I get home.  (~10pm, Eastern Standard Time)

Was waiting for a sequential/timing post, and suddenly there are a bunch, so I'll do my best to sequence them and reply tonight.

In reply to Natakkoa Tukumpeh (msg # 258):

Everything OK? Happy to wait for you, but wanted to check in.

In reply to Hugh Shinjison Hoshikawa (msg # 259):

Got slammed at work two days in a row, and had a cold-quit two hours in their *first shift* tonight.

Just got home, and am trying to get the wheels turning.

But first, decompression, and then food, then we'll see where I stand.  :-P

In reply to Natakkoa Tukumpeh (msg # 260):

That can be rough. Sometimes people aren't cut out for a new job but it still leaves you short for a while. Recharge yourself however works for you!

Ouch.  Sorry about the RL work woes.  Definitely take your time, Nat.  Take the required time to recover.  Only then, come back to us when you can.  The game should be fun (if a bit of work), not a chore, and definitely not hard work.

In reply to Petra Jelinek (msg # 262):

We got there!

Thank you all for your patience.

Pro Tip:  Don't take a job in restaurant retail.  And if you do, make yourself *especially* scarce around "back to school," when all the HS and College students pack up and head elsewhere, or lose 90% of their availability...

If only I could learn from my mistakes...  :-P

In reply to Natakkoa Tukumpeh (msg # 263):

My first job, when I was in high school, was retail and I swore off it because I hated the hours. I was working most of the time my friends had free. The work was fine but I'm very glad I mostly control my hours now.

Everyone OK?

In reply to Hugh Shinjison Hoshikawa (msg # 265):

I was kind of low-key waiting to see what Petra would post  -  I guess more from courtesy than actual "interaction", since we'd been kind of going back and forth  -  and if I had to guess, I'd guess that maybe she was waiting for GM input on what she saw/what happened when she left the elevator shaft and began to move down the hall?


I guess I felt like I'd posted fairly recently (by msg count, not by day/date) and didn't want to jump ahead of others.

Expected everyone to join Quirell and Yom since we found our weapons :)

Sorry, RL has been a bit hectic for the past week, I'll try to get an IC post ASAP (hopefully later today/this evening).

In reply to Yom Argo (msg # 267):



That was my thinking, too, but I have to wait until someone tells Hugh about that :).

Absolutely, which is what prompted my last post.

At this point it's an impasse as kind of understandably Petra and Natakkoa have been unwilling to trust Hugh and Lev enough to share any info, even though it's plainly obvious that nether one is carrying any sort of weapon let alone a long arm of any kind.

The pain is that neithr Hugh or Lev know about the dead bodies -- killed by a large laser weapon, probably rifle fire, nor do they know that there are 2 more characters involved (Yom & Quirell), that the weapons have been located, or well, anything else.

Though understandable that Petra and Natokkoa do not trust Lev and Hugh, at the end of the day, they don't have too much more reason to trust Yom and Quirell either.  Narratively, you guys do need to sort of get together and move as a team.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 271):

That *is* what we're working toward.

"Real World Time" has only been, literally, less than Two Minutes since we even became aware of each other, and given the strangeness of the situation and the warning that had been issued us about "two monsters", things have progressed appropriately from the *character's* POV.

Real life has interfered with regular posting, but that's not a reason to rush the character's interactions, and their cautions, nor is it a justification for "jumping the line" and posting over other players, just because we are anxious for something to happen.

Barring some kind of clandestine activity or shadiness on the part of the "newcomers", I am 100% confident that we'll all get on the same page and be communicating "shortly"  -  from the Character's POV  -  and as soon as real life allows.


Both Quirell and Yom know that Petra and Nat have encountered two strangers, and that Petra has initiated contact, b/c Nat sent them a Group Msg telling them that.  They're not joining Yom and Quirell at the moment b/c they are busy navigating this situation.

Right, exactly.

Must have missed that.

Ah, found it.

Well, if you edit a post from 17th on the 19th then that sort of thing happens. I don't read back on posts I already read. Especially not 2 days later.
Ok, will adapt
This message was last edited by the player at 09:53, Sat 26 Aug 2023.

In reply to Yom Argo (msg # 274):

Yes, you missed it.

No, I did not "add in important information after the fact."

The EDIT was a punctuation error I noticed on re-reading.

The PCOM communique was present in the first post.

Whatever.
Seems neither group has yet reacted to the other group's events.

Sorry about the delay; IC post (as meager as it is) is up.

I believe that some versions of the RM/SM d100 system had codified that a natural roll of '66' was an 'Unusual Event' - generally, an automatic success, but with a strange or exotic complication.  Not sure if SM 2e has that rule... I am pretty sure that later versions like SM: Privateers did though.

As for your natural '69', Nat.  Well, Petra has nothing to say specifically about that; but, will reiterate that she does think that the Professor is pretty.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 273):

When you get a chance, could you update the "known areas" on the Maps thread?  Thank you!  :-)

In reply to Game Master (msg # 273):

Thank you!  :-D

My read is that Nat has not shown herself to Lev and Hugh yet and I don't want to assume, so I'm not sure who needs to act to get things moving again.

In reply to Hugh Shinjison Hoshikawa (msg # 281):

It's been stupidly hot here the past few days, and w/o AC, I just haven't had the energy to post.

However, I'm not yet directly involved with Hugh, Lev, and Petra in the Mess/Kitchen/Galley, so you can feel free to proceed without me.

I'll do my best to get a post up this evening after I get home from work (after 10pm, EST) that should bring me to your location.

Yom and Quirell, what are you guys doing?  I don't have a clear picture other than an agreement to try the security card somewhere.

Thanks

I've been under the weather for the last couple of days. I'll post tomorrow.

My original idea was to take the security card an attempt to access the camera monitoring system that's probably run from the security office to see who invaded/shot the presumed head of security.

In reply to Quirell Tawny (msg # 284):

If I'm reading the posts correctly, Yom still has the card, and has left the security office and headed off to the right, further exploring the level.

In reply to Natakkoa Tukumpeh (msg # 285):

Correct, only that I messed up left and right... I'll edit right away.

Further exploration counter-clockwise.

Quirell, we can sure do that.
Using that card in the first place was your idea, I presume that you hold it, not me.

Please sort it out, edit posts as needed, and then I can update.

Is the larger group going down to join them and get their weapons, or up to Operations?

Just a gentle, general reminder:  try not to post too many reactions, actions, or conclusions all at one time, without giving the other characters a chance to respond.

When a question is asked, and then the writer goes on to another, and another, it makes it very difficult for someone to respond to the first point without having to contort through hoops to make it make sense.

And please be aware of the actual passage of time.  I know we're all eager to play/write, but when literal seconds have passed in character, we have to allow for that, and to not jump to conclusions until the involved characters have had an opportunity to respond.



This has been a message of the Public Boardposting Service.  :-P

Lev,

I, personally, have no problem with you making corrections to a post, especially if a correction would more accurately reflect the situation, and what your character actually knew, even if you forgot it or missed it  -  especially since there haven't been any other posts acting on it, or responding to it, yet.

We'll all just glance away a moment, and act like it was your first pass!  :-D

I agree with Natakkoa, I make plenty of mistakes (as a player and a character).  I (Petra's player), for example, typed "I could get the power properly shunted..." in my last IC post when I meant  "I could not get the power properly shunted...".  Mea culpa.  Petra's post in question has been edited to correct the offending grammar.

The person responsible for the error has not been sacked (yet). :D  Sorry, I couldn't resist the gratuitous Monty Python reference, please forgive me.

In reply to Petra Jelinek (msg # 290):

:-D

In reply to Natakkoa Tukumpeh (msg # 291):

Corrections are good (and in Petra's case, I had assumed a typo since it didn't make a lot of sense otherwise) but if they change anything significant, they're worth pointing out, since I don't usually read back much past my own last post when replying and not always even that far if an exchange is going slowly (since I've probably read the posts several times.)

In reply to Hugh Shinjison Hoshikawa (msg # 292):

Absolutely.  *Significant* changes  -  corrected, or additional story/character information  -  should be noted in OOC, specifically because a lot of people simply don't have the Time to casually re-read old posts.

I tend to re-read posts that pertain to what I'm responding to, and if I need character placement and perspective, or an understanding of what I, the writer, thinks people know, or have said, I will review older posts, but I tend to not re-read just for the funzies of seeing how the story has been developing.


I, personally, approve of correcting minor things, b/c there are often new people joining the game, and I would like them to have a quality, logical, reading experience as they catch up, not unlike one might get from reading a novel.  Cohesion, and logical story/character development, unhampered by too many grammatical issues.

But that's just me.  YMMV.  :-)

All of this about corrections is absolutely fine and proper, thank you.

I'll retcon my last post.

Actually, I left as was partly because I felt that just editing it would look like dishonesty on my part. Trying to hide it sort of thing.

Only so if you don't explain it, which you are/did here, so all is good.

I will advance the action in a bit, need some narrative movement from the crew deck team (actually moving on to another location, etc.) and confirmation from Quirell that he is following Yom.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 296):

I'm waiting on a reply from the two-man team to the Group Msg, in which I gave a brief overview of our contact and asked for input.

Just checking in  -  everyone doin' ok?

In reply to Natakkoa Tukumpeh (msg # 298):

Doing fine here. Recovering from both a flu and COVID vaccine yesterday.

I've got the last live post do I want to let everyone else have a chance.

In reply to Hugh Shinjison Hoshikawa (msg # 299):

I vote we wait a bit longer.  We've had a few other quiet spells of a week or more, and it's always been "Real Life" in the way.

The interest is there, but perhaps the time is at a premium  -  noting that there are a few who haven't even had the opportunity to log in, or read, much less post.


We can totally go "OOC" while we wait though...

I'm currently watching/catching up on "The Foundation", and am enjoying it.  Whether it follows the books religiously or not is irrelevant to me, as the story and characters seem to be written and woven well.

Thoughts/opinions?  :-)

In reply to Natakkoa Tukumpeh (msg # 300):

I've heard good things about it, and some of the other Apple TV products, but I haven't subscribed so I haven't seen them yet. I'm pretty bad about following series. I have a bunch of Marvel and Star Wars stuff to catch up on, too.

There hasn't been a response from Yom or Quirell to Natakkoa's message about finding twomore people.  I was going to push on then my internet died yesterday.  Luckily, they fixed it today.

I saw the first season of Foundation and liked it a lot.  The discrepancies from the books were not a problem for me; I just grew to hate Gaal Dornick as the series progressed.  I am trying to find a block of time where I can subscribe just long enough to binge season 2.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 302):

Interesting...

I've found I dislike Hari quite a bit.  He thinks being secretive and keeping various elements in the dark gives the other components a better semblence of "un-tainted" action, but...I don't think that's how people, and history, really work.

Now, I've not run those numbers, so I might be off....  :-P

Empire, and the Day/Dusk versions especially, are just despicable, and one didn't even have to have been familiar with the books to realize that Demerzal is the **real** threat in the series.

Just a quick Update.
Sorry for prolonged absence. Wife had a major accident two weeks ago, hospital, rehab etc, etc. Dogs, children, job (of course) all in turmoil.
Will try... but cannot promise.
Supposed to be back in health ny end of October...

In reply to Yom Argo (msg # 304):

Ooof. Hope her recovery is swift and (relatively) painless (especially long term). Family always comes first.

I think we(via Nat) were waiting on the reply from the others, which means now we're waiting for Nat to react so the rest of us, especially those not on the comms, can respond appropriately.

Sorry to here about health issues with spouse, Yom; wishing for a speedy and problem-free convalescence.  Take care of you and yours RL.  Come back to us when you can!

I will update tonight when I get home, including results of the perception for Quirell and Yom; do need to know if absent any further developments whether those two will stand still and wait for the others to catch up or if they plan to keep moving.

I'm willing to stay pst until the others arrive. Will definetely buy a rank in perception next level.

In reply to Quirell Tawny (msg # 309):

I'm spending points on some "Zero-G"  -  should I be so lucky to live that long...

I rolled Perception on behalf of Yom and will include some actions on his behalf in the update.

20:24, Today: Game Master, on behalf of Yom Argo, rolled 113 using 1d100+35 with the Role/Spacemaster system (fumble range of 1 to 5) with rolls of 78.  Perception.

The group of 4 can arrive at the engineering deck, at #4 on the map, when Yom types his message.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:28, Fri 29 Sept 2023.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 311):

Quick clarification  -  was Yom's com message to the Group, via Group Chat, or just to Quirell?

(it has been established that personal/private chats exist, so just wanted to check  -  there wasn't a specific indicator in the post)

I will say it was a general message.

Apologies for the slow posting  -  it's been a zoo of a week at work, and I've been low-key fighting off *something* that has left me Just enough energy to plow through the work day.

Starting to feel a bit better, and will have something up no later than Saturday!

In reply to Natakkoa Tukumpeh (msg # 314):

Hope you feel better soon! That kind of dragging yourself through the day can really suck.

Updating later tonight

I 've been unwell for the last couple days.  I w8ll post tomorrow.

In reply to Quirell Tawny (msg # 317):

Hope you feel better quickly!

In reply to Quirell Tawny (msg # 317):

Rest, hydrate, and heal.  :-)

See you when you get back!

We have Covid and I cannot concentrate.  Please NPC my character until I can return.

In reply to Quirell Tawny (msg # 320):

Oof. Hope it's a mild case with a quick recovery!

In reply to Quirell Tawny (msg # 320):

Oh no...

Been there, done that....twice...

Hopefully it doesn't hit you as hard as it's hit some...

You know the drill:  rest, rest, hydrate, rest, rest, hydrate.

Hope you get better soon, and we'll catch you when you get back!

Hope you recover soon, @Quirell.  Take care, rest and, recuperate and then come back to us when you are able.  Everyone else, hope you are staying safe.

A note, because it was easy to miss:

In Nat's post #202, she sent a Group Text that anyone with information can respond to.  Petra's seen it, but isn't in position to respond.

The text sent was:

:Where is the body you found located exactly, relative to the elevator door?:

In reply to Natakkoa Tukumpeh (msg # 324):

I suspect the issue is that the players of the people who can respond to that are absent (Yom) and ill (Quirell). Hugh had a question to them as well.

Hugh's plan was to get Quirell's appraisal of what kind of weapons we might be up against, then move towards the possible hostiles with a better sense of how to protect ourselves.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:25, Thu 26 Oct 2023.

In reply to Hugh Shinjison Hoshikawa (msg # 325):

I mentioned it because even though you and Lev are just arriving, you'll be there before Petra and I, and you, too, would have received the group text.

Just wanted to make sure it was on the radar.  :-)

If there is agreement or consensus, let's pause for a few days and see if Quirell feels better soon and can rejoin.  I hope Yom returns at some point but it is only hope and I prefer not to run many NPCs.  What do you say?  Of course, role-playing the ladies catching up is fine, and can be done in this interim.

I agree it would be better to sll be together before moving on. So I'm fine with the pause.

I am fine with the pause.  And I am sorry that it appears that we have lost Yom.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 327):

Totally ok with getting caught up and then tapping the brakes until Quirell returns.

If Yom does, indeed, not return, it would be OK with me to solicit a player to take over the character so that you don't have to run another NPC.

As we touched on in our PM, introducing new characters is challenging at this point, and for me, personally, simply "dropping" characters from the story feels awkward. Pretending none of those conversations or interactions ever existed gives me, as a writer, unsettled feelings.  :-P  And we're still early enough in the adventure, early enough in character "expose'", that there's still plenty of room for a new player to create their own interpretation of the character without affecting past interactions much (or at least, less than simply waving them away and ignoring they ever happened...).

But that's just my opinion  -  YMMV.  :-)

Has anyone had any eyes or ears on Quirell, and/or how their CoVid recovery is going?

I haven't heard.  I will PM him.

Wow.  I'm still tired, and the rest of the family recovered to a point.  Laundry and dishes and all the maintenance finally done.  We are all sick of soup but at least none of lost our sense of taste.

I'll post tonight.

In reply to Quirell Tawny (msg # 333):

Welcome back!

Yeah, the first time I had it, it took me off my feet for two straight weeks.  And even then it was another week or more before I was able to claim 90+% again.

In reply to Quirell Tawny (msg # 333):

Glad you're on the mend, don't push too hard if it's taking a while to get back to full strength.

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone (at least those celebrating it)!  Best wishes from my family to you and yours (irrespective of whether you are celebrating Thanksgiving today)!  Stay safe and have a great day.   And 'Thank you' to all of you for giving me such a wonderful RP outlet; I am extremely grateful!

Oh, and welcome back Quirell.  Glad to have you back.

Ok, so I'm sure a few of you have noticed the occasional odd "character" present where one would usually find punctuation, and while most of you might already be up to speed on this, I just wanted to bring it out and get us all on the same page.

There are two Rpols  -  one, the OG site design that I myself use (and have used since its inception in one form or another), and the new design, Rpol 'Responsive', that has been in development for several years and is fully functioning in its own right.

Forums and games are mirrored on both sites, with some "translation" occurring from one to the other.  As "Responsive" has been developed more and more, and as the og programming of the original site fades farther and farther into the past, it has become more and more challenging to translate posts from one site to the other, hence the weird characters.

From what's been posted, migration to the new will become mandatory around late December, and while I truly enjoy how the OG site is layed out, I'm going to start trying to get used to the new site sooner rather than later.

If you still use the orginal site and site design, I recommend you migrate as well, so that we're not caught off guard when the final change drops into place.

What are everyone's Holiday Plans looking like?

Do any accommodations need to be made for being out of town or otherwise occupied for longer-than-usual periods of time?

In reply to Natakkoa Tukumpeh (msg # 338):

I'm travelling a little, but will never be without internet that I know of except maybe when we're in the air and that's not even a given anymore.

Thanks for letting us know.  I'm very accommodating for such things as I sometimes get pulled away unexpectedly...

Reviewing the last two posts:

Yom and Quirell entered the security office before, they pulled the weapons from the armory after all.  The body does not fit in the armory, it is not a full sized closet.  In any case, he is not as flexible as he once might have been.  There is no bank of security monitors; most likely the operations console is modular, able to display and control whatever the operator logged in has access to.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:48, Sat 09 Dec 2023.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 340):

It's there any indication where the other doors out of the security room lead?

The small triangular shaped room is the weapons locker.  The other door is marked restroom.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 342):

What is the scale used for the maps?  How much does "one square" equate to?

In reply to Game Master (msg # 342):

Ok. So Hugh could shove the body in the restroom if we want to try activating the controls and see if we can access cameras.

Lev withdrew from the game, so it is now Quirrel, Petra, Hugh, Natakkoa, and maybe Yom if he returns.  I will keep lev and Yom as NPCs to the end of this adventure.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 345):

Well...that's unfortunate.  So much for exploring our backstory.  <sigh>

And...I'm sorry you have to handle so many PCs-turned-NPCs.  As a GM, I know how much of a pain in the neck that can be....
This message was last edited by the player at 17:43, Fri 15 Dec 2023.

Nat can certainly try (and with a 25 fail) to figure it out.  For clarification however, it is essentially a 'blank' console that configures itself based on the login credentials of whomever logs in, giving them access to their workstation.  (Much like the Enterprise-D consoles were supposed to be.)