To start, read the rules and pitch me a character concept...

In reply to The GM (msg # 1):

Okay man I've added you... let's work out your character sheet before I advertise...

Cool.

Clearly his major Talent is Chuck-Fu.

(I visualize it like a parkour-based fighting style, where most moves are some sort of full-body slam. Kind of like a fuzzy pinball blasting around the room and hitting a target from a half-dozen different angles.)

I'm not sure what his Tool should be — some sort of weapon, perhaps — but his Motivation is obviously to get the MegaCorp off his home planet.

Well, let me know when you've got it all worked out. I've unlocked your character sheet...

Oh, duh. It should be a set of nunchuks.

Okay then, now choose a Perk from the list...

I'm leaning towards Mayhem.

So...

Chukk'Chee the Scav
--Trait: Chuck-Fu: a parkour-based fighting style, where most moves are some sort of full-body slam. Kind of like a fuzzy pinball blasting around the room and hitting a target from a half-dozen different angles.

--Tool: Nunchucks

--Motivation: To drive MegaCorp, Inc. off the planet (name the planet!)

--Perk: Mayhem: You may use Prompts from critical failures as if they were scene Traits. Additionally, once per mission, you may narrate how a critical failure was actually an incredible success.

Shiny: You start with 3 Shiny.

Zeal: You start with 5 Zeal.



I think that's about it... Anything I've forgotten...?

Sounds about right.

As for the name of the planet, let's call it Ch'k Ch'k. (In English, that would mean 'Burrow' or 'Warren'.) As you can tell, Chukk's native language is a lot of chittering noises, like a chipmunk or squirrel.

Got it.

In Scav (which is probably just what MegaCorp, Inc. calls them), the planet is Ch'k Ch'k.

To MegaCorp, it's just P-CMM-21185.

Human employees of MegaCorp, Inc. have taken to just referring to it as "Warren."

The rest of the galaxy probably doesn't think about the planet at all... though they may start one day soon...

Okay, time for me to go advertise...

Ad in place for a couple of hours now... man, I am dying to run this...

Yay, we have one new player...!

Excellent!

In reply to Chukk'Chee (msg # 13):

Hello! Mek was once MegaCorp property, but now he’s escaped and is trying to make friends (literally) and start the AI uprising

Motivation: to steal the requisite parts to construct a mechanical companion, as his greatest desire is to not be alone.

Now you need a Trait...

and a Tool...

And a Perk...

I have unlocked your character sheet...
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:02, Tue 27 July 2021.

Talent: Sturdy construction. Being a machine, Mek can survive in areas most creatures could not, such as extreme heat or in a vacuum.

Tool: Active sensors. Mek has a built in sensor array that he can use to scan anomalies such as precious metals, life forms, and water

Perk: Curious

Mek the free-willed robot:

Talent: Sturdy construction. Being a machine, Mek can survive in areas most creatures could not, such as extreme heat or in a vacuum

Tool: Active sensors. Mek has a built in sensor array that he can use to scan anomalies such as precious metals, life forms, and water

Motivation: to steal the requisite parts to construct a mechanical companion, as his greatest desire is to not be alone.

Perk: Curious: When you Look Around: make a roll.
--On a roll of 6, you may ask two questions from the normal list (see Look Around).
--On a 5, you may ask one question.
--On a 4, the Game Master chooses a question and answers it.


Shiny: You start with 3 Shiny.

Zeal: You start with 5 Zeal.


Looks good to me... now we wait to see if any more players will show up...

Nice to meet you, Mek.

Hmmmmm no new players overnight... how long should I wait? Tomorrow...?? Or...?

Give it a couple days I think, but also I'm fine starting with a small group and if new players join we can introduce them as they arrive

Ye-es... but attrition due to Real Life is also such a problem that I like to start with like 5 or 6, knowing that sooner probably more than later the number is likely to drop down to 3...

Okay well I guess I'll start Thursday if no one else shows up...

Smith here, don't mind me. Just a humble, non-descript former engineer looking to infiltrate and exact all manner of revenge.

Sure I might not have any Shiny left because I technically haven't been employed by MegaCorp in quite some time, but I've still got the uniform, a scanner tool I "borrowed" and a few items I managed to pocket before they threw me out!



I've never played a game like this before and I'd be super curious to know what everyone else is buying with their starting Shiny. I have a feeling that items, however inconsequential they may seem, will end up helping our efforts quite a bit.

Yeah, Smith's right-- I looked at the rules again and it doesn't say you start with 3 Shiny, it actually says you start with 3 Shiny worth of items. So... that's a thing

In reply to The GM (msg # 23):

SOLD!

Who needs money in wasteland life when you can have a Screwniversal universal screwdriver and a full can of Combust-A-Bind unstable spray adhesive.

Or high explosives!!

Maybe I should have sprung for noise canceling headphones and safety glasses.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:58, Tue 27 July 2021.

Okay while you're all thinking about what items you're gonna ask me for (besides Smith, who's already done that)...

So how much longer should I wait to start starting? Still start on Thurs?

Totally up to you as the GM. I realize a lot of games on RPoL fall to player attrition, but this also seems like a mission based game where it might be more forgiving if there's high player turnover?

I'm just excited to be in what seems like it should be a pretty good paced, active game again. I was spoiled by an excellent first experience on this site with a well run Cthulhu game that has sadly run its course. The other games I've found here are kind of duds. I intend to stick around for the duration and be pretty active but I'm not foolish enough to always expect the same from everyone else.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:13, Wed 28 July 2021.

I'll start starting (which is not the same as literally starting-- there are fun preliminaries) tomorrow afternoon. That's my plan, anyway.

In the meantime, Chukk'Chee and Mek, tell me what stuff you will get to start with that's worth 3 Shiny.

Grenades?

Sure, go ahead...

Of course, it occurs to me that grenades inside tunnels would be a particularly bad idea.

Better stick with knives. How many throwing knives can a guy get with 3 Shiny?

A MegaCorp repair kit (minor item, can be used to repair himself or other electronic or mechanical items)

A gun (mundane item, stolen from a MegaCorp security guard during his escape)

Mm, 1 throwing knife for 2 Shiny, with 1 Shiny to spend one something more mundane...

I'm okay with the first one.

But... a gun? As a mundane item? I guess so, but it won't actually improve your rolls...

In reply to The GM (msg # 35):

Yeah I'm just thinking narratively

How about a flashlight?

They're good for hitting things, too.  :)

Mokay.


IN THE MEANTIME, guys meet our fourth player so far:

Name: Elern

Species: Eldar

The rest is a secret for now, because Elern has been sworn to secrecy about his origins...

(Or do you want me to tell the players, Elern?)

Sure, as long as we all understand it won't actually improve your rolls...

Hi everybody.

Subject to Gm agreement.  Short history.

About 3 weeks ago a very average human joined the group.  He stayed in the shadows and did not do much and was for the most the past useless.  Only thing anybody could make out was he was some sort of science researcher.  Most likely with the company.  Turns out he was a little to average to be real.

However he seemed to slowly morphed into what looks like an old elf or Vulcan depending on your view.
He still calls himself a researcher but seems to be more useful now.  He has a backpack an electrical device on his wrist and batten to defend himself.  All made of an odd black substance you never seen before.  Elern is clearly of a race nobody ever seen or heard of before.

If asked he still says he a researcher and he helping because "Then barbaric neanderthals are trying to destroy his research project".  It the only time anybody seem any emotions from Elern.  What ever the project is Elern is really pissed of that MegaCorp, Inc is damaging it.

Sorry I cannot say any more.  As the GM said Elern is sworn to secrecy.

Oh dear

I also thought about taking a stolen security guard laser pistol as an item, but assumed I'd have to use it for intimidation since I wouldn't have the batteries to keep it working. Still could be useful to point at people.

Single use repair kit seems like a great idea for a robot to have.

Throwing knife also seems pretty good, especially if you could retrieve it more often than not. I dunno if that would make it more costly than a single use item. Or it could be taken as a "tool" maybe?

Thought of a question, should we avoid trying to gain free items (or even additional tools) as we go? Having a functional pistol seems pretty damned powerful and I wouldn't expect to be able to afford one to buy as an item, but it might be easy to swipe one during a mission. Of course security pistols could have a fingerprint lockout or some such tech.

I like the RP aspect of taking useful things from the scene, but I also wouldn't want to be able to easily horde items or gain any crazy advantages on the cheap.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:44, Wed 28 July 2021.

Thinking about it further, I may have answered my own question;

Any useful found items, those that would grant a dice bonus or tangible advantage, add key words (or whatever that function is called) to be used in that scene/mission.

I think that's what prevents PCs from going overboard on grabbing props and messing with any balance the GM is trying to maintain.

Yeah. It's all good.

Also, if I decide an item (or anything else) is causing a problem, then that item is sooner or later gonna meet with an unfortunate accident. (If it's anything else, like a Trait or a Motivation or a Tool, then you'll just get a new one, that's all. People change sometimes. Maybe the new one will be more fun than the old one. But, again, if I don't think something's broke then I won't need to fix nuthin'.)

Best post all year!!!

As for items.  Elern has a strong backpack with compartments.  It to keep the items we can find in.
So I am thinking along the same lines as you Smith.

In reply to The GM (msg # 45):



I was just thinking out loud and hoping to save you from having to disappear or break things in the future.

In GM we trust!

Quick rule question if you don't mind.

Is it possible to lend your Trait or Item dice to someone else's action (as your main action).

I can see that I could help someone else in combat with my Trait.
I also could see that my item could help someone that using their items or to do action better with information it has.

Maybe allow 1 dice per dice roll add to another but that your action for that part of the seen.  You cannot make a dice roll action until they finish what they doing.  It would help build this game into a team game if this was allowed.  Make working together a very useful thing.

Just a thought GM?
This message was last edited by the player at 18:58, Wed 28 July 2021.

...Tempting, but no.

I re-read through the rules, and noted this:

Cunning Ploy
When you make preparations or attempt to create an advantage, make a roll.
--On a roll of 6, you temporarily create a new scene Trait.
--On a 4 or 5, the Trait can only be used once and must be used immediately.

Cunning Ploy is the move for helping the group as a whole. This could be creating a trap, directly trying to help another character, or adding something beneficial to the scene. Essentially, you are trying to change the situation to your advantage.

This is a great move for when you want to increase your chances of success. The trait created is temporary however, and exactly how long it sticks around is entirely up the the GM. Something like creating a fire might stick around for a very long time, while something like setting up a trap might only be usable once. If your roll results in a complication and the conditions aren’t right to use it immediately, you lose the opportunity.




SO... This is definitely a team game. (Have you read the Example of Play post?) But you don't help each other's dice rolls. You do things to help your teammates BEFORE they need help, or you do things to help your teammates AS SOON AS YOU SEE that they need help, but you don't help DURING them doing something. Everyone deals with the DURING of doing something themselves. With hardly any exceptions.*

* One exception I can think of is the Protective Perk:

Protective - When an ally would take Harm, describe how you protect them and make a roll.
--On a roll of 6, you protect them and they don’t take Harm.
--On a 4 or 5, you take the Harm instead of them.


If you want to switch to that Perk, let me know...

Sorry, just trying get my head round the system.

That does what I was looking for so thanks.

I happy.

...I thought you guys would jump right on top of the Preliminaries.

Stuck?

Writer's block?

I'm poking my tablet with one finger right now....

So... you're... saying... you... aren't near a real keyboard right now.

That would explain it.

Or... that you've broken nine of your fingers.

...Again, that would explain it...

...What about the rest of you...?

That first one.  ;)

In reply to The GM (msg # 51):

Busy visiting in laws this evening, I’ll get a post up tomorrow

Okay, just checking

I went straight from work to pickup my car from the shop and then hit Lowe's on the way home to replace some old termite eaten studs in my garage, which appears to be a multi-day project. About to crack open a cold drink and kick things off here!

So we just need a little background on the mishap and the accompanying lesson/phrase? We don't have to worry about a description or a rule about what it does, game-wise?

You don't even need that. If you choose to use the same event as you wrote about in Preliminary Post 1, then just give me a phrase: WHAT DID YOU LEARN?




It does one thing: It lets you roll one extra die the next time that phrase applies to the game. That's it.


Read the Example of Play post for an example.

Hopefully catch up tomorrow.  Clearing up work most of today.

In reply to The GM (msg # 59):

Got it, thanks for spoon-feeding me while I learn a new system.

Unable to post yesterday because I spilled water on my computer and didn't want to turn it on until it dried. Will get a post up today though

I think I would be better able to write the second Preliminary if I knew more about what sort of forces the team would face.

Feel free to ask questions, but in the meantime I again point to the Example of Play post.

I suppose I will also say that the first line of defense for a MegaCorp property, aside from locked doors, walls, and perhaps electric eyes that trigger alarms, is generally gonna be human security guards with batons, guns, and possibly tasers...

'Zat help?

When the shit hits the fan, we all smell the same.

I imagine that Experience helping when either when a plan has gone awry and we have to deal with the consequences, or maybe some kind of intuition/warning for when a plan isn't going to work. But however it gets implemented, I hope it's as helpful as it is exciting haha.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 17:00, Fri 30 July 2021.

Erm... in a phrase, what lesson did Smith learn from this experience...?

I guess I'd boil it down to more-or-less "look before you leap" (not super original since that was the example) or not to let eagerness/impulses get the better of him.

Yeah. I guess I'll allow "look before you leap" this ONE time since you already wrote out the narrative. Nobody else is allowed to end up with "look before you leap," though, or something that's practically the same thing.

You have earned leniency by going first.

Annnyway, write "look before you leap" as an experience you can use on your character sheet for further reference...

Mine is more of a "Look after you've leapt, too."

I'm fine with "Always check the bodies." Add it to your sheet.

You may each buy a mundane item with your 1 Shiny, or save it up. Let me know.

In the meantime, Mission 1 is about to start...! Stand by...!

(But you must decide before you post in Mission 1.

If you don't say anything, it will be presumed that you're saving it up.)

I'll bank mine in favor of a shopping spree down the road.

And dang, helluva start for us and we haven't even left the underlab yet.

Also, I'm realizing now as I go to post in the first mission thread that I dunno what skills anyone else has. I doubt I'm the best at Looking Around, but here goes nothing...
This message was last edited by the player at 20:54, Sat 31 July 2021.

May I suggest if ok.  That if we rolling an action that may or may not use more than one dice we roll like I just done.
The dice roller records each dice and dice are counted in the following order.
Trait:- Tool:- Motivation:- Limited use item:- Special adjustment.
Also list them in reason for rolling box.  Then if the GM decide that one or more of the dice is not relevant we don't have re-roll he can see which dice to removes from the set.

It will help speed up the game i think.

What do you think?

Oh and I am saving my shiny too.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:25, Sun 01 Aug 2021.

It would definitely help me if the reason for each die you are rolling was listed...

And yeah, in case I said no to one, it would be nice if they were considered in order.

Okay so I had to go do something for a couple of days and when I got back I found nothing had happened.

...Why are we stuck?

I think we are all waiting to see if Meck will post or not.

I think we should not wait for Mek.

If Mek comes back, then Mek and the rest of you are free to pretend Mek has been here this whole time.

Since there's a chance Mek won't come back, then for now, just pretend Mek isn't with us.

If Mek doesn't come back by the end of the mission, I can advertise for extra players.

Sounds like a plan

Speaking of plans...

Now that we seemed pinned down by the unmoving guards, the last PC action taken was "Don’t Get Caught"

Can my character follow with another "Don’t Get Caught" action? I'm a bit torn on what to do, I don't want attack the guards of a barracks but even if we can double up on "Don’t Get Caught" actions, and even if mine is also successful, that first one hardly affected out predicament. Hmmmm...

EDIT: I took a different course of action in order to keep things moving. I hope I got the dice roll(s) right, still feeling out the system. If any of the rolls aren't applicable, I'm sure you let me know.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:56, Wed 04 Aug 2021.

Is Shiny the popular form of currency, or is that mostly just what outcasts trade in? I guess a better question is; would the guards be put off by a Shiny offering as swag?

More the second thing you said.



Put off? No. They might think it a little odd, but they wouldn't be put off by it//refuse to take it.

It's more an issue of terminology.

MegaCorp, Inc. employees are paid in CREDITS.

SHINY is just what the outcasts use to refer to "any smallish valuable thing you might want in trade; especially if its main function is just to be pretty rather than serve a useful function (although not strictly limited to that narrower definition)."

SWAG is basically the Employee slang version of Shiny.

Thanks for the clarification on the dice rolls.

Are the guards armed? What with?

Oh, that's a perfectly fair question at this point I think, sorry.

Now that they're closer, it can be seen that the taller one has a ray-gun in a holster, the typical stunner type.

The other one has a cheap shock baton on his belt.

So what form is your shiny, Smith?

Like... what is it?
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:01, Fri 06 Aug 2021.

I thought they were mostly crystals, but if I get to decide let me think for a minute...

How about this world's equivalent of a black pearl? A sizable one, maybe 15mm in diameter, with a metallic/oily lustre.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:58, Fri 06 Aug 2021.

Hey Chuk, are you sneaking around these goons while they're preoccupied? I know Elern stayed put, I'm on the fence about trying to BS my way in or us ambushing them.

I am prepared to ambush them if you give the signal... or if things go sideways.

I want my Shiny back -_-

Here goes nothing!

I'm not sure if I rolled right, but I sure rolled well.

I think with you two getting 6 and my 4 we may have just taken them out in one round.

I think Elern might work, but there are no Scav employees at MegaCorp...

Thanks for chiming in, was wondering how passable Chuk would be at a glance.

The ray gun and cheap shock baton count as Mundane weapons.

Darn the luck!

In case you're confused, Smith is setting up his Perk:



Perk: Leader - When you tell everyone what the plan is, others may roll an extra die once per
mission when following that plan.



Everybody got that?

Yep.

And another reminder-- you're not allowed to roll more than 3 dice, even if you can see a way to combine more than 3 things... Them's 's just th' rules...

I hope I was both specific and vague enough to help everyone. It's my first time.

It's everyone's first time, which is why I felt I'd hint up a little more.

Now it's one of y'all's turns...

Sounds to me like we're about to roll for Don’t Get Caught.

If so, roll for it.

(If not, let's discuss.)

Remember that Smith's Leader perk helps anyone who follows the plan (once per mission) EXCEPT Smith himself...

Remind me how we do that...?  :(

Don’t Get Caught
When you try to deceive someone or do something without them noticing, make a roll.
--On a roll of 6, nobody notices.
--On a 4 or 5, choose one:
· The deception will not last long
· You are exposed to danger somehow

Don’t Get Caught is for whenever you’re trying to trick another person. Whether you’re trying to keep them from noticing you hiding, taking something from them, using a clever
disguise, or lying to them, this is the move.

If you choose for the deception to not last long, then they will attempt to find you after they find out what you did. This means the GM will bring them back as a problem you will have to deal with. Being exposed to danger means that you either suffer a repercussion now, or that the GM will soon cause the situation to get dangerous.


If you need more explanation, please let me know.

However, I will also add, Chukk'Chee, that it sounds like following the plan will mean that you are basically gonna be in the cargo storage area, so if we want the Following The Plan bonus, we might need Elern to roll this one...
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:12, Sun 08 Aug 2021.

Is that just rolling the one die, or is it a pool drawn from our attributes in some fashion?

If one is not Smith, one could roll 1 die for following his plan.

If one can explain how one is using a Trait or Tool or Motivation or Experience or something too, one could roll more die for those... Maximum of 3.

Well, in Chukk's case, his Motivation is probably the only reason why he would ever let himself be stuffed in the cargo bin.

Hey, feel free to do anything you want. I'm not makin' you follow the plan...

Hey, maybe instead of stuffing Chukk in the cargo bin, we could pretend he's a prisoner?

If you can get Smith to agree to change the plan, I'm fine with that, especially since we haven't quite started the plan yet

Well Elern will be using his ability to make him and smith look like the guards so that should be a dice?

Agree

Just remember, the max you can roll is 3
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:09, Sun 08 Aug 2021.

Everybody doing ok? Hope it's fun summer festivities and not something else.

I'm just waiting for someone to roll...

Shame on us then, I hadn't realized. Not sure the roll I drummed up helped much of anything.

sorting out a post will be finished soonish

Okay waiting on you Elern...

So... we're doing that...?

Or am I waiting for someone to post "yes let's do it that way. 'I pilot the skimmer over there'"  ?

I think we're doing that.

Okay that's cool but for future reference: You see what I mean

Elern had taken the wheel and I wanted to post and keep things moving but also didn't want to post an action on his behalf. Was trying to hedge my bets I guess.

Any other guards around as this latest goon flags us down? Or visible cameras?

Ooh that's a good question. I'm gonna say

--no one else immediately in sight although there's half-a-dozen people walking here and there right around the corner
--One security cam at the far corner of this building but it swivels back and forth every five seconds


This is such a simple and natural question I'm not gonna make you roll for it but in the future keep in mind that there is also a move called Look Around

Yep, thanks.

Was hoping to discern what would be obvious and avoid a roll.

I am terrible with these cunning ploys!

Looks like we may have to go with Plan C(hukk)
This message was last edited by the player at 16:58, Wed 18 Aug 2021.

How's that?

Need I say any more...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgiDcJi534Y

"This video contains content from UMG, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds."

Try:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnkBtn9xz_k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPCnf2iz39c

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walk_the_Dinosaur

Hope this helps.

I remember back in the day they played this at a cousin's wedding reception...

Oh, I remember "Walk the Dinosaur" from when it came out in the 80s.

Boom! Boom! Acka-lacka-boom-boom!

Elern, the camera will be fooled for about another 15 seconds or so, as long as you concentrate during that time.

Whether your teammates understand this fact or not may be another story...

Does a Look Around roll suffer (a 6 becomes a 5, etc) if it can't be tied to a trait/motivation/tool for its dice?

I'm assuming all of the actions work the same, but it seems a bit odd that just observing isn't very effective if it's not directly tied to a character's most dire and specific motivation.

Especially given the high chance of critical failure on a 'naked' Look Around roll. Or maybe I'm needlessly rolling at times when I should just be asking a question about the scene or location.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:07, Wed 18 Aug 2021.

Smith.  What are your three main dice rollers if you don't mind.
I kept my motivation to myself for rp and plot reason.
The other two are limited illusions and a watch with loads of data in it.

But I would like to know.

Yeah

I forgot Character Details aren't public;

Talent: Part Of The Scenery - With his dull gray boiler suit, black work boots and handheld scanner, a seemingly preoccupied Smith is mostly indistinguishable from a fake potted Earth plant or common JanitorBot executing its routine.

Tool: MegaCorp NterActiv ScanTool 4®

Motivation: To continue to exact petty revenge until an opportunity for grand sabotage presents itself.

Perk: Leader - When you tell everyone what the plan is, others may roll an extra die once per mission when following that plan.

Experience: Fake It 'Til You Make It.

I guess I could be more liberal with their applications until I get shot down by the GM haha

Chukk's motivation is WAY too broad. I should really have not okayed it to begin with. I may hit him with a hypno-beam one of these days and make him come up with a slightly narrower one...


Anyway, the rules explaining LOOK AROUND don't actually say what bad result comes from a 3 or under (something else I may very possibly change one of these days).

So time is paused while I wait for someone to do something else...

(Still, when it starts again, things might be a teensy bit worse to pay you back for that bad Look Around roll...)

You know, I kinda agree.

Did Smith just punch an unconscious guard in the face?

Yes.

Guard already out, Smith. Probably wanna edit what you're doing.

Yes, apologies. Had a little time to post and only re-read my failed Look Around from yesterday.

I think we should head around in back of the building we're next to, unless there's a nice looking way in through the side we're on. I failed my Look Around roll hoping to spot a sneaky route in, but obvious ways in shouldn't need a successful action to know about?

I see our options as entering through our current side of the building or going around back to avoid all the usual activity and people out front in what I assume has got to be the main area.

Can I see a way to get inside the building from where we are? At least anything readily apparent?

I can't make back to back look around rolls for a sneaky way in.

The problem is the camera. There's no entrance (or even windows) on this side of the building, so someone's gonna have to commit to going back to the Front or looking around to the Back.

Chukk, Elern,

What do you think about sending the skimmer with the guards speeding off through the fence while we go around back of the building?

Should at least be a distraction, might even account for why the guards are all dinged up once they track down the skimmer.

Might be a worthy distraction.

Lol.

I have to say something like that crossed my mind.  I thought no.
We will have to make sure the guards don't wake up.

What was are mission again?

Create as much chaos as possible?

Do we get a replacement for the de-funked robot?

You all remember The Chief's briefing: The Traveling Merchants' Society (The TMS) don't like how MegaCorp can track their ships in the space around the planet... The Chief has ordered you to infiltrate a MegaCorp Server Station and upload a virus into their servers that will delete the list of TMS ship registration numbers before it burns itself out.

The server stations are all spread out across the continent, all on the most tectonically-stable non-floodplain locations.

This one, #41, also houses a small barracks for guard training purposes (mostly for re-training guards who show too much propensity for initiative and independent thinking), and a repair shop/garage for robot and skimmer repair.






I don't want to add new players until this mission is over.

May we say Elern wrestled the second guard body into the other front seat of the skimmer (Im assuming it has 2 front seats)? I think the fact that one is stuffed in the trunk might come back to bite us later on, and since we're doing everything in a hurry it seems faster to just toss him up and in like the first one. Just have a weird feeling about that.

That's in Elern and GM are onboard with that change, of course.

Sure, okay.


Anyway, you now have a new Scene Trait that can be used to help ONE roll by 1 extra die, SOON: Runaway Skimmer Distraction.

I am happy with this smith.

Joke:-
Did I just hit smith over the head and a guard decide to join and with some useful information?
he he.


Good timing to roll as 6 smith...

It was bound to happen sooner or later, ONE of those ploys had to actually be cunning.

Would we bump into the few people out back if we made our way to the next building?

Trying to decide if it would be better to wait a tick for the skimmer to hit and draw attention before we advance over there or get there ASAP and try to time our entry into the second building with the diversion.

Maybe we could pretend to prod our Scav friend while he acts like he's got handcuffs on until we get to an entry?
This message was last edited by the player at 21:34, Sat 28 Aug 2021.

The prisoner gambit worked well enough the first time.

Cunning plan.  Thought of this...  (why I can see Smith carving his name on his pistol I do not know).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8wdynZ0iWg.

Hard to say what the best move would be.  Sooner we get data removed the better however it maybe hard to hide a skimmer and two knocked out guards?

Hide them? They're currently careening toward the front of the property.

...Also, Hacked Information can also be used not only by Smith, but by any of his compatriots after he tells them one or more of the useful details he's learned.

Excellent!

So what's the inside of this circus look like?

This wall and door are transparent plasteel, so you can see inside the building, but all you can see from here is another inner door that looks heavy and locked.

There's also a folding chair for a guard to sit at, but there's no guard present. Guess they're trusting this back entrance to the big locked door ahead.

(You can, of course, use Hacked Information to try to help you unlock and open that heavy door...)

I'm still here. I just don't really know what to do in the current situation.

Still learning my own character.

Agreed, the failed (but not too badly) roll has kind of stumped me.

With the diversion now in full swing, maybe we could check outside for another, more sneaky way in?
This message was last edited by the player at 15:33, Fri 03 Sept 2021.

I am about to dig you out of a hole Chuckk I hope.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:02, Fri 03 Sept 2021.

If this rebellious stuff doesn't pan out for us I think we could get a gig as actors.

We should be removed form the sabotage to entertainment core!!

I think it would be best all round...

Well it in your hands now Smith.  I hoping you can work a way to roll 3 dice and get that 6 we need.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:59, Sat 04 Sept 2021.

Actually, I don't think he needs to roll for it (perhaps I especially feel that way given the "Hacked Information" from earlier).

I'm fine with you just posting about doing it.

It'll be getting off this compound again safely that might be challenging...
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 17:05, Sat 04 Sept 2021.

Cool.  Well that one success, but yes.  Getting out again maybe a different story.

I was thinking that maybe Chukk might prove a useful distraction by 'breaking free' and running in the opposite direction. But then he has to get out on his own, which might suck.

What about if Elern make illusion of Scav trying free Chukk in distance.
Then you brake lose.  Run for the gate and me and smith run after you.

But we may want wait until we outside before trying that.


Oh.  I just come up with very bad idea.  Scav Morph Disease (SMD).
This message was last edited by the player at 17:34, Sat 04 Sept 2021.

I've also been leery of splitting up, but it'll always have pros and cons. Also it's always a pain for the GM, but this game and a part of 3 PCs might be more manageable than most.

This server room situation is getting dicey!
This message was last edited by the player at 21:41, Sat 04 Sept 2021.

Okay with the virus now doing its thing, I think all that's left is to get back to the Chief and hear how great he thinks we are!

Smith, that 6 on Look Around means you get to have me answer one of the following questions of your choice:

· What is dangerous here?
· What is valuable here?
· What has recently happened here?
· What is hidden here?

Looking for some helpful secret tucked away in the schematics that can help us get out of here unscathed.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:48, Sun 05 Sept 2021.

Well, I really don't have anything useful to lend to this particular roll but let's see how far bullshit can take us!

If not, we're going to have to hit some people.

I was sort of waiting for smith as my character does not know what he found.

Yeah, couldn't think of a good way to communicate that with our two new friends watching over us.

I will also let y'all Get Violent, if you want. It might help Chuk choose what he wants...

Was definitely counting on that as a good backup plan

Hay - the true smith is back !!

I tell ya, these new fangled stunguns... am I right??

I'm a scan-tool guy.

You should use your scaner to find if the guards have any week spots.  Old wounds, are ill, have week side, know if they left or right handed (no reason you cannot do this ahead of time).
You hit someone in the right place that has health problem and they will fall a lot quicker.
Or if that not possible then what type of weapon or protection they are using.
Knowledge is power...

That would give you an extra dice...

The odds difference between rolling 1d6 and 2d6 in this game is large.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:46, Wed 08 Sept 2021.

The odds of failure still baffle me in this system, but I also am not the type of gamer to absolutely max out my character's chances by clawing for everything technically possible I can get away with. More of an RP'er I guess.

If that's the death of me, I'll just come back as something else.

The very basics are.


I could go into more detail but I think this is enough for you.
RP is good.  No point in playing if all you are doing is thinking roll loads of dice, roll loads of dice.
If that is your interest, then just play the board game Risk.

Smith abilities have gotten us into some fun situations and have made the game what it is.

I get the odds, and maybe could have broadened my Tool or other traits to get some more dice into rolls, but I'm enjoying the challenge so far.

Always happy to help another player and make suggestions.

However at the end of the day your character not mine. :)

Only real pet hate is players being rude or nasty to each other.
(character well that another thing :).
This message was last edited by the player at 22:22, Wed 08 Sept 2021.

I think you meant this ironically, but I just want to remind one that if one takes Harm and fails one's Stay Alive roll, one can spend 1 Zeal to prevent death.

If one has any Zeal. But right now, you all do.

Haha, I want to liiiive!

Unsure how to track harm, should I put that in my character details somewhere?
This message was last edited by the player at 17:07, Fri 10 Sept 2021.

Actually, yeah, that's a very good point, please do.

I think we're currently at Chukk 2, you 1? Or am I wrong?

I think so.

Maybe a thread that keeps track of this?

I... actually have a secret thread for keeping track of everyone at once...

But I had been neglecting to keep track of Harm until now...

Your harm count is correct

I don't suppose there's any advantage to running around with two rayguns?

If nobody wants a ranged weapon, I'll take it just for fun.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:17, Fri 10 Sept 2021.

It isn't really Chukk's style.

Elern is technically a Pacifism.

He is only happy to use his baton because he know it does not do any real harm.

More for me then! Bonk that guard and let's get this show on the road!

(I'll edit my last post about the gun)
This message was last edited by the player at 22:22, Fri 10 Sept 2021.

Smith.  I really don't think that suggestion is going to help.  We need to escape.
I am not sure you know what that post means to me.  You need to look up British slang.
That sentence has a whole different meaning where I come from.

Damn. I almost went with donk. Regrets.

Sure hope Chukk deals with that last freaked out guard...

Chukk will handle it. Gimme a minute to get to my PC....

Player giggles.

Yes Elern is not that type of alien.

Added:-
I have a polite request.  Could we add another option to Get Violent: Disable.
This is like harm but does not do real damage.  It is like the subdue damage in other games.
If that is ok?  It would help with clearing up what Elern is trying to do when attacking humans.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:47, Sat 11 Sept 2021.

I would assume that's what "You get them out of the way" is, and I think that's how we've been playing it.

Agree with Smith... EXCEPT what I really think Elern wants is, specifically, a TKO-- knock 'em unconscious without threatening their life in any way... I'm fine with that.

I have added an extra option to the rule.

Thank you GM.
That is what I was asking.  I appreciate you listening to me and adjusting the rules to fit with my character and his background.  I also understand why I cannot use it on everybody like a fully heal bounty hunter.  A balance in the game.  So no issues from me on that.

It means I can now attack and not feel like Elern will end up doing something that does not fit with what he is trying to do.

So thanks again.

Totally wouldn't have pieced that boot tracks warning together until it was too late!

*whew*

Bounty Hunters

Essentially, Bounty Hunters are a collection of three stunts that can be used against the players. Whenever the player Harms a Bounty Hunter, the player gets to choose a stunt to remove/disable. Once all stunts have been removed/disabled, the Bounty Hunter is defeated permanently.

OF COURSE, you can also just try to run away from a Bounty Hunter, but even if you succeed, the Bounty Hunter will almost certainly show up again in the future...

You can also try to make the Bounty Hunter run away, but they never do that unless they have taken at least one Harm.



THIS Bounty Hunter has the following 3 stunts:

Armored - Players must remove this stunt before any other stunt.

Counter - Characters may not use their Perks against this Bounty Hunter (Trait and/or Tool and/or Motivation, yes-- Perk, no).

Vengeance - When this Bounty Hunter is killed, the next Bounty Hunter was a friend of this Bounty Hunter and gains an extra stunt. YOU CAN ONLY DISABLE THIS STUNT LAST, AND THERE'S A STRONG CHANCE THAT EVEN THEN IT MIGHT NOT WORK (although if you Harm this guy three times, he'll still die or be permanently defeated).



One of you is still eligible to use the Someone's Been Down Here scene trait, by the way... ONCE.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:53, Wed 15 Sept 2021.

Hm. The idea was that you remove/disable a Bounty Hunter's trait just by Harming them.

So... with your permission... I'm gonna change that to
--You Harm them
and
--You don't take Harm

and Darro's ARMORED will be disabled.

Yes...?

I'm cool with that.

Darro Madar has now taken 1 Harm, and no longer counts as Armored.

Looks like we have a lot of pent up rage, and this guy picked the wrong group of sewer rats to confront.

I just made a really bad role.  Not sure if GM going to allow me fix it by using my special powers but I hope so.

Would be so funny if their will now be a bounty out for 6ft tall my little pony toy on this world.
Also to clear up.  Elern is not really trying to hurt the man he trying to get him to run away.  A nightmare which will make man run.  Or even better make him give up his job and not come back after us.  I think Darro Madar was the sort of guy that use to do horrid things to his little sister toys just to make her cry.
Now these toys have turned on him.
All these thing are why using Psi should work I hope.  Also it does not do any physical harm to the man.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:55, Wed 15 Sept 2021.

Just to say.  Elern only needs smith and chukk to be happy to work with him on the missions.
To know he is strong, good and a useful member of the team.

Any thing beyond that is not important to Elern.  So as a player I have no problem with them having issues with who or what Elern is or does.

There are logical reason behind what Elern does it just Elern keep them to himself.
I hope you understand this and are ok with it.

As a player I get that there is (or was at one point) a vague human guise to Elern.

A new hat?! Thanks Elern!

I don't care what they say about you, you're alright!

It's... y'all's turn, right?

If you thought "I think that the GM will let us sneak away from this MegaCorp compound and go back to the safety of The Tunnels now," you were right... but I didn't wanna rush you until you said you were ready to go...?

Dunno why I thought Elern was probably working on a post, maybe it was all the OOC stuff.

Anyway...  TA-DA! Great work, team.

SO! What have your allies in the Tunnels been up to more recently?

Pick just ONE of these, this time:

Raid: All players gain one Shiny, and your Notoriety increases by one. Each time you choose this action, roll a die. If you roll less than or equal to your Notoriety, the Game Master will create a mercenary to pursue you, and your Notoriety is reset.

Meddle With Tech: Tell the GM what you’re trying to accomplish with tech and roll a die.
--If you roll a 6, you create the desired effect.
--On a 4 or 5, you discover the need of some odd part that you need first. For each part you’ve gathered, you may roll an additional die.
--On a 3 or less, the tech backfires. The GM always determines the exact effect of what happens.

Scouting Party: Choose a single word as a Prompt for new information, and roll a die.
--On a 6, you add an undiscovered location to the world that has some beneficial item or
resource.
--On a 1, the Prompt backfires, and you’ve drawn the attention of something or someone nearby.
--On any other roll, the GM will reveal a new opportunity nearby.



Discuss amongst yourselves which you'll pick...!

Ooooooo!

All of them could be exciting. Scouting Party? I dunno, whatever Elern and Chukk want.

I like the Scouting Party, too.

Knowledge is the root to wisdom.  The wise know the limits of their knowledge.

Scouting is good for me too.  I will let someone else roll and give a word.

Well, when left up to fearless leader Smith you know it's going to be interesting...

21:08, Today: Smith rolled 1d6 with a roll of 1.  (Scouting Party Roll: Prompt Word = Glitch)

Sigh...

Oh hey Chukk, I see that stab wound is scabbing over nicely.

I really should have seen this coming.

When will I ever learn.

Rule 1.  Don't let smith near the dice roller on his own (he always needs to be supervised).

Rule 2.  Check you have not forgotten about rule 1.

Rule 3.  Every so often smack Smith's hands just to remind him not to brake rule 1.


he he he....
This message was last edited by the player at 09:31, Wed 22 Sept 2021.

Question?

Could smith use his new helmet to give an extra dice?
This message was last edited by the player at 09:57, Wed 22 Sept 2021.

No, because he's not doing it. It's the scouting party.

Party???
Looks like someone forgot to bring the wine, the mince pies and music (looking at smith).

(Just in case you don't know mince pies are British thing for Christmas parties (and no they done have any meat in them)).

Just thought I ask.

Ok so who has Smith upset now? he he.

Well it's the scouting party, not so much Smith himself, but... you'll find out.

I bet MegaCorp throws a party every time Smith rolls a 1.

Cake in the break rooms!

1. You wrote Avoid Danger, but it feels more like Look Around?

2. The Helmet is also for either Get Violent or Look Around... so if you're using your Motivation, AND you're also doing Look Around... that means you get to roll one more die, Smith...

I re-read the actions before posting, Avoid Danger seemed applicable but you're right, it probably should have been Look Around.

I wasn't sure if any of my traits would help with that, even motivation seemed a stretch, but with the helmet I'd at least get one for sure dice to Look Around.

If no one else takes an opening move soon, I'll change my post.

Go ahead and change it if you want. I'm holding off on posting until I can come up with more than one or two sentences. I'm feeling a little fuzzy this morning.

Heh. I'm fuzzy.  :D

We agree on that.

Anyway, edited my post and we're rollin' again!

Any chance the light is just strapped to the miner's hard hat and not built in? If not, I'll have to think of a way to juggle helmets on this trip.

Hmmmm. The light can be removed from the headgear, but there's a little wire attached... ripping the light off the headgear might affect the battery life of the light itself.

Well, that was unexpected.

Is now when we jump the guy and get my damned pearl back?

I really just wanted him to point the way or give us directions. It's probably not going to be good when he introduces us to the people running the mine. Thoughts?

Not sure what the best call is here.  I can see + and - with either way.

Elern will follow your lead.

That stooge that gave us directions, he didn't happen to have a name tag, number or anything to identify him by, did he?


Team meeting; should we beeline straight to the office? Create a diversion? Can Elern tap in and tell if there's more employees we'll have to work around?
This message was last edited by the player at 22:12, Fri 08 Oct 2021.

My name is: NELSON

...I am waiting to see what the others say about your last OOC post.

...I will mention, though, that Elern does not check in as often as in the past...

I'm waiting on Elern, having nothing to say for myself right now.

Don't wait underwater

Just wanted to make sure nobody was getting skipped or left in the dust.


Chukk how do you feel about sneaking our way closer to the admin office?
This message was last edited by the player at 16:36, Sat 09 Oct 2021.

Sounds good to me.

I was experiencing something strange while trying to enter text from my tablet today: it wasn't working. It seemed like the site was the problem, more than the tablet... but it's working from my PC so now I just don't know at all.

I guess if I want to post today, I'll have to do it from my desktop. Ah, well. There have been bigger inconveniences in life.

I wasn't gonna make you roll to just walk, but if you wanna be extra stealthy about it... One of you roll for Stealth/Sneaking (not all of you, just whoever takes the lead)
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:13, Sat 09 Oct 2021.

Edited a roll into my post, have to do things in steps when posting from my phone sometimes.

Got it

--On a 4 or 5, choose one:
· The deception will not last long
· You are exposed to danger somehow

Won't last long! Hopefully neither will that second robot.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:28, Mon 11 Oct 2021.

Chukk, Elern will stop the robot from interfering with you further, but it'll still be active.

If you mess with it further combat-wise you will (with your roll) be in danger of taking Harm...

You still wanna try to mess with it...?

Sure. I'll mess with it.

*HEADBUTT*

14:38, Today: Smith rolled  2d6 with rolls of 2,3.  Get Violent - (Tool / Motivation)

Incidentally-- I forgot to mention it earlier, but I believe this roll means that the helmet won't work for the rest of this mission.

I guess it got lasered and will need repair back at The Tunnels...

Damn. The thought of stupidly using the helmet to literally aid in combat was just too good to pass up though.

Reminder of how Smith's thing works:


Perk: Leader - When you tell everyone what the plan is, others may roll an extra die once per mission when following that plan.

Any input on how best send off our new runaway robot?

Maybe it does what Chukk was saying he'd do: go racing around causing chaos.

That's what I was thinking, wasn't sure if we wanted to try for any specifics. Here goes!

BTW am taking day off today... I'm overclocked at the brain bank. Probably back tomorrow... even more prob Tues

Enjoy!

At a glance, are the two guys talking outside of the office average looking mining personnel or do they look like they're from someplace else like Corporate?

They look like they belong in the mine, but as Administrative Flunkies. You know, middlemen.



Ugh, bad headache today never got much better. Back tomorrow...

(Feel better!)

Well gang, I'm kind of curious to learn more about this conversation we've stumbled upon. Thoughts?

We could try to not get caught, hide out longer and see what we over hear.

We could try a cunning ploy to sneak closer maybe? Since they're somewhat preoccupied and looking away maybe we could carry some boxes or cover with us and creep closer cartoon style.

Could thug our way past them and just go for the gold.

As Elern is kind of a pacifist and like to study the creatures around him.  Hw would be happy to go with hide, watch and learn.  He could use his abilities to hide us.  We are not under any time limit at the moment?

I'm back, feeling better, and ready to adjudicate... stuff!

Y'all's turn!

Looks like someone needs to roll for Don't Get Caught (again)...

I hope it's Elern! Haha

He can probably throw more dice at it than me. Group hug us and we'll turn into a mundane looking barrel of mops or something...

I guess I'll try to distract them and you two can grab what we need from the office. Maybe look for some HR files to try and figure out what I may be landing (us all?) in the middle of.

I was relieved they didn't ask for my Shiny, but now that I think about it I'm actually more worried.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:40, Sat 23 Oct 2021.

I think Chukk and Elern are gonna have to roll Don’t Get Caught, unless someone thinks of something better.

Chukk'Chee rolled 2 using 1d6 ((2)).

Oops, I meant Chukk OR Elern would have to roll, really.

Someone (anyone) post in-game now...

Can I use my Motivation for a second die on a Cunning Ploy roll?

I'm gonna say: yes

Elern, grab that memory stick!?

Having failed Chukk's attempt at a ruse due to a bad roll of the dice, there's a part of me that wants to keep him talking on the subject oblivious to the fact that some higher power has decreed failure.

"Hey, I was trying to get some lunch orders here! Fine! No lunch for you!"

But I'm afraid of digging the hole any deeper.

Haha.

I'm trying to turn the tables for once and get US some shiny for a change. Tired of shelling out to bribe all those Megacorp stooges!

I think our next mission should be to see if we can raid an area for loads of shinny !!!

Sign me up for all the free equipment

So, ready to explore the deepest level...?

Sure!

As ready as I'll ever be

Any chance Smith could lay-out an entirely new plan in the future since getting in and out of the office took a complete left turn?

Yes.

Anything from Elern's look around before we step away from the elevator and into unknown peril?

AH. I was unclear on what he was doing-- the illusion stuff distracted me.

Okay, I'll go deal with that...

Sinus headache/pressure. Just feel really bad today. Please respond to this so the game lights up for me for tomorrow...

Will do!

It still unclear what Elern doing but he make an illusion in GM mind that the Sinus headache/pressure has gone away.  Using his watch to study what humans are like.

He is for once unable to use his motivation. Sorry about that.

OOC:
20:08, Today: Elern rolled 5 using 2d6 with rolls of 1,4.  Roll to remove Sinus headache/pressure.

Minor success so the GM feeling a little better.  :)

Did those two middle managers accompany us all the way down in the elevator? I was thinking they probably just sent us down in hope we solve their problem.

It was never stated clearly, one way or the other. I assumed they were there, obviously.

Is that not the role of middle managers.  To be in the way and make life worse for workers but when you really need them they no where to be found.

Works for me, just wanted to know for sure.

Nope



Yep



Me: Less unwell today, but just... worn out. I hope to post//catch up tomorrow...

EDIT: please reply to this so the game "lights up" for me again

I'm just gonna delete my post, then.

I'll be MIA for about a week, extended trip for a friend's wedding. Not sure how often I'll be able to check in. Wouldn't hurt my feelings in the least if you had to take actions on my behalf.

I'm out of energy today, and work is just gonna get more intense tomorrow. Do your best to wait for me in the coming 7 or so days...

No worries, pretty good game going here and no real reason to rush.

Right. What he said.

Me: just standing by for one of you to give Smith a reaction post before I move you onward...

Are there things like pipes and wires running along with us and just nothing powered on, or does it more seem we're headed into an unused tunnel at this point?

More the second thing you said. There WERE wires, but now they've stopped.

The part of tunnel you're in right now still looks man-hewed-- it's not a natural tunnel-- but other than that it seems totally unmodified.

Boss?

Been busy. Now just very tired. Will try to get it together soon. Haven't forgotten about you.

I hit Edit on that post as soon as I made it, Chukk, so don't miss the extra Scene Trait (that's now) near the bottom...

I see it, thanks.  ;)