Action 1:
I'd very much like to know if the addition of a teaspoonful of the maple-glazed-hazlenut-sauce improves the flavor or overwhelms it.”
As Bronwyn made her face she said, "Overwhelms. Definitely overwhelms. That's much too sweet and the hazelnut clashes with the caramel."
As Squeak held up his dissected piece of steak to look at it, Bronwyn snatched it off his fork and stuffed it into her mouth with a smile. "Delicious!"
Action 2:
Action 3:
Because of Squeak's desire to get their opinion on almost every piece of food the dining car served, Bronwyn went to sleep on a very full stomach and slept deeply.
Action 1
Vi thoroughly enjoyed her meal, and found Squeak's questions and ministrations highly amusing. She was curious to see if he would be able to actually reproduce any of their fare. As he handed her another chocolate layered tart to try, she said, "See Squeak, this ganache -it's truly masterful. It seems like a simple thing - chocolate and cream, what could go wrong? But it's all about proportion and temperature. Thinner ganache for glaze, and you need more cream. Thicker ganache, like this one, for a filling, and you need less. This one is perfect, not too stiff, nice and shiny...mmmm. Really, if there's ever an upgrade that allows taste, you must go for it."
Action 2
Surprised that the guard was addressing them, Vi figured that he was probably talking to the two 'forged. She and Bronwyn moved forward, distancing them from 'forged, so as not to look too conspicuous. She was in no hurry to start traveling by caravan - not when she could have another day of luxurious comfort.
Action 3
Palisade stood motionless outside Lady d'Deneith's sleeping chamber's door, with only the dim red glow of its single eye suggesting the 'forged wasn't merely an ill-placed armor stand. The security House Orien provided for their passengers was impressive, but that was not a reason to let down one's own guard, and there was precious little Palisade could do during nighttime without disturbing the rest of the Lady and their changeling companion.
Thus, incapable of getting bored, the 'forged passed the time standing guard.
Action 2:
Action 3:
Squeak, bored, made notes. The data from the tasting earlier needed careful dissection. Thinking again on Vi's comments about Ganache he wished humans could eat Alchemist's Fire. He had in mind a chocolate that burst into flame as it dissolved on the tongue. If I changed the Naptha....
Look at the map (you can zoom in; it's a great map). Look at the Legend which tells you both caravan routes and rail routes.
You are in Starilaskur with the intent of going by rail to Sterngate and then catching an Orien caravan through the Seawall Mountains to Rhukaan Draal.
The 'job offer was to accompany an Orien Caravan to New Cyre and then presumably back to where you started.
Questions?
Game on!
Yeah, that makes more sense. I think I got confused about why we were being offered it. I'm used to jumping on offered options, I guess :P
Action 2:
Bronwyn turns over in her sleep and lets out a quiet snore before falling back into a deeper sleep.
Vi dreamed of food, and smiled in her sleep.
Action 1:
"Sorry. We're on our way in to a job right now." Squeak ached to ask for more details about the offer and their company - but decided he could not risk being asked more questions in return.
Hey guys, I am really itching to play a game with the Cypher System Rules.
I started a Numenera (one setting for the system) last year and I was having a blast but I lost all my players except two and I had to shut the game down.
Highlights of the system are:
- Can be used for virtually any setting sci-fi (post-apoc, space opera, etc.), modern, horror, western, fantasy, etc. (including our current Eberron game if desired)
- Allows and encourages more player creativity (a lot less rules)
- Really easy for the GM to wing things (not have to worry about rules and can concentrate on story aspect)
- Really neat tactical system of using ‘effort and edge’ to have better chance of doing things at the cost of your abilities
- Neat system of GM intrusions (critical failures) to enhance and make the game more interesting on the fly
- Neat system of critical success allowing for player creativity
- Use of cyphers, which are essentially one-shot abilities that you cannot hoard thus encouraging players their creative use
Would you consider learning a new game system together? Is converting our Eberron game an option? Do you want to start a new game (sci-fi)?
Let me know and I'll set up another thread and perhaps invite others who may be interested.
Game on!
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
, fail
, Palisade
, Palisade
, hit
critical?
, no
INITIATIVES
Caught off guard by their uninvited visitor, Palisade ignored the would it had been inflicted - it could still function, and pain was a thing for humans to experience and wallow in. The 'forged drew its sword and prepared to retaliate, but the rocking of the carriage caused it to stumble and entangle its sword in a chandelier. The ornate light fixture crashed on the floor with the force of Palisade's strike, but the blade came nowhere close to striking its intended target.
Squeak hesitated a moment. His usual plan - fire - would be disastrous in such a luxurious, comfortable, mobile room. Quickly he injected himself with a noxious brew of his own invention. His eyes gleamed red. His muscles creaked. He stepped forward, hammer in hand, providing backup for Palisade.
Hey guys, I am really itching to play a game with the Cypher System Rules.
Hey Fabian,
You've talked about it a few times. I'm really enjoying this game, but I'm definitely at capacity.If you wanted to covert I'd be alright with it - I mean, we're playing a conversion anyway, so you have to do a certain amount of conversion with all of the encounters.
Yeah, I totally understand about time and committing to a new game so no worries there.
As far as sci-fi, there's this little adventure with six pre-generated characters to chose from.
However, if I get a semi-positive response from the ladies, I will go ahead and convert this game to the Cypher System. If we like it, we can continue, if not, we'll convert back and continue as we are.
Please check your gmails for further instructions.
Bronwyn sat straight up in bed as noise from outside their door became too loud. "Sounds like Squeak is at his experiments again," she grumbled. Then she heard what sounded like a sword squealing across metal and thought otherwise. She grabbed her scrollcase and wand while she activated her dragonmark.
Making sure that Vi was awake, she began to inch towards the door.
I'll wait for Vi a little while longer and move this along later.
-------------
Cypher System: OK, I've already started converting your PCs so I need you reading and learning the system so we can discuss. Of course, we can always change 'stuff' if we find it doesn't work as expected.
I think the warforged and changeling make more sense if they replace the 'descriptors'.
Typical descriptors: +2 to one pool, 3 skills, (add 1 skill and 1 inability), 1 item
Warforged:
• Stalwart: +2 to Might Pool
• Immunity to poison, sleep effects, paralysis, disease, nausea, and fatigue
• No need to sleep, eat, drink, or breathe
• Practiced in armor
• Natural slam attack (as medium weapon)
• Only heal ½ from effects meant to heal humanoids
• Incorporated medium armor
Changeling:
• +2 to speed or intellect pool
• Minor shape change
• Practiced in Social interactions (bluff, intimidate, and sense motive)
• Practiced against sleep and charm effects
• Item or weapon of their choice
Bronwyn: charming? or another descriptor (may need to augment depending on choice) adept bears a halo of fire?, cast spells?
Palisade warforged warrior (flavored with magic?) channels divine blessings
Squeak warforged explorer or warrior, flavored with magic no foci selected yet (may use fan-made foci for alchemist)
Vi changeling explorer or speaker flavored with stealth crafts illusions?, explores dark places?, infiltrates? (we need more of a focus)
Initial thoughts?
The sounds of battle woke Vi from a sound sleep. Instinctively, she slid out of bed on the not-door side, reaching for the daggers she kept there. It sounded like the 'forged were fighting on the other side of the door.
It was a terrible situation. She still wearing Jakk's face, and his nightshirt - nothing else. If she took the time to don anything else, the fight might be over, and not in Palisade and Squeak's favour. If she ran out in her nightshirt, she could be cut down before she was able to help.
Deciding to take the time only to cast protection on herself, she grabbed the wand from her night-table and used one of the few remaining charges. Then, armed with daggers and nothing else, she followed Bronwyn to the door.
Cypher System:
My plan with Squeak was to have Squeak obsessed with 'upgrading' himself. Eventually he'd try and build another Warforged on the sly.
That's why I was taking discoveries like Preserve Organs, and all his feats were going into the Adamantine Plating.Sadly that requires very high level feats to pull off.
I noticed that SciFi has an AI 'race'. I also looked at the Abides in Stone focus, but I see it probably doesn't work given both Palisade and Squeak are 'Forged.
Cypher System:My plan with Squeak was to have Squeak obsessed with 'upgrading' himself. Eventually he'd try and build another Warforged on the sly.
That's why I was taking discoveries like Preserve Organs, and all his feats were going into the Adamantine Plating.
Sadly that requires very high level feats to pull off.
I noticed that SciFi has an AI 'race'. I also looked at the Abides in Stone focus, but I see it probably doesn't work given both Palisade and Squeak are 'Forged.
Yeah I saw that AI race after I made up the warforged. The AI could work maybe by removing the 'super intelligent' and lessening the 'uncanny valley' to just one step.
Have you seen the foci 'fuses flesh and steel'? We could probably make it work if that's what you want.
Yeah, I had a quick look at that one. Guessing there is a number of ways we could make this work.
Weird Science might also work.
Incidentally - I'd look at changing the integrated armour thing. Never made sense to me. Just 'cause 'Forged have dedicated attachment points. I don't see why they couldn't have plates removed, or hardened.
It's not like they feel through their skin, is it?
Also, I saw Squeak as slow (20ft movement) but with amazing manual dexterity and balance. Cypher seems to lump it together differently.
Yeah, I had a quick look at that one. Guessing there is a number of ways we could make this work.
Weird Science might also work.Incidentally - I'd look at changing the integrated armour thing. Never made sense to me. Just 'cause 'Forged have dedicated attachment points. I don't see why they couldn't have plates removed, or hardened.
It's not like they feel through their skin, is it?Also, I saw Squeak as slow (20ft movement) but with amazing manual dexterity and balance. Cypher seems to lump it together differently.
Like I said I would be Ok taking the AI for the warforged race with the slight adjustments mentioned above.
This system really relies on player and GM imagination with very little mechanics to get in the way. So if you want to throw 'bombs' then we can emulate that with the adept's onslaught ability and just reflavor it.
Yes, there are only three 'stats' for PC and coordination and speed are lumped into the 'speed' so warforged won't necessarily be slow per say.
Now would also be a good time to refocus your PC if that's what you wanted to do.
Has anyone else looked at things?
Would you like me to take a stab at converting your PCs from what I know?
I'd like to convert before moving forward.
BTW, here's a PC sheet for your use.
I had time only for a quick look, but first impression was that I didn't much care for the system. Seemed to me it would simplify characters, and I personally want to have tons and tons and tons of stuff I *need* to do to build a character. On the other hand, I don't care if I never saw a single dice once tha game begins and wouldn't mind running a game in full storytelling mode.
Will take another peek at the rules once I have a minute.
I had time only for a quick look, but first impression was that I didn't much care for the system. Seemed to me it would simplify characters, and I personally want to have tons and tons and tons of stuff I *need* to do to build a character. On the other hand, I don't care if I never saw a single dice once tha game begins and wouldn't mind running a game in full storytelling mode.
Will take another peek at the rules once I have a minute.
Let's talk about this. What exactly would you need to have to build your character. Let's talk about concept and about how you see your PC and I'll see if I can make it work.
This system is a little different in how it handles damage and skills. For example there are only three levels for skills (untrained, trained, and specialized). Damage is recovered by everyone by resting or by applying the 'heal' skill.
On the other hand, it seems I'm the only one excited about this. :(
I really don't want to force you into something you really don't want to do. The game will not benefit from that.
So let's be honest here. Do you guys even want to try this system?
Thoughts?
As I said before, I'm not keen. I haven't had time to look at the book. I really am stretched very thin right now, and am attached to Vi as she's built. I can see wanting to try a new system with new characters, but I just don't have the time for that right now. Sorry, Fabian!
As I said before, I'm not keen. I haven't had time to look at the book. I really am stretched very thin right now, and am attached to Vi as she's built. I can see wanting to try a new system with new characters, but I just don't have the time for that right now. Sorry, Fabian!
I appreciate the honesty and I do NOT want to make things harder for anyone.
I'll wait to see what the others want to do but, if we go ahead with the new system, I'll relieve you of dice rolling duties and take over for you. You can then just concentrate on RPing, which is what your are 'decent' at. :)
Questions?
Game on!
-----------
BTW:
Here's a first stab at your PC.
Vi, a changeling speaker (stealth flavor) who infiltrates
Tier: 1
Effort: 1
Pools
Might: 10 (Edge: 0)
Speed: 11 (Edge: 0)
Intellect: 15 (Edge: 1)
Combat
Armor (normal): 0
Attack: dagger, -1 step, 2 damage
Damage recovery: 1d6+1
Skills
Stealth (specialized)
Lockpicking (trained)
Sense Attitudes/disposition of people (specialized)
Social interactions (bluff, intimidate) (trained)
Inabilities
n/a
Abilities
Bear 2 Cyphers
Practiced with Light Weapons
Minor Shape Change
Stealth Skills: You are trained in the following skills: lockpicking and stealth. Enabler.
Enthrall (1 Intellect point): While talking, you grab and keep another creature’s attention, even if the creature can’t understand you. For as long as you do nothing but speak (you can’t even move), the other creature takes no actions other than to defend itself, even over multiple rounds. If the creature is attacked, the effect ends. Action.
Erase Memories (3 Intellect points): You reach into the mind of a creature within immediate range and make an Intellect roll. On a success, you erase up to the last five minutes of its memory. Action.
Fast Talk (1 Intellect point): When speaking with an intelligent creature who can understand you and isn’t hostile, you convince that creature to take one reasonable action in the next round. A reasonable action must be agreed upon by the GM; it should not put the creature or its allies in obvious danger or be wildly out of character. Action.
Minor Effect Suggestion: Your opponent is so startled by your moves that it is dazed, during which time the difficulty of all tasks it performs is increased by one step.
Major Effect Suggestion: All opponents within short range are so startled by your moves that they are dazed, during which time the difficulty of all tasks they perform is increased by one step.
Cyphers (2):
Equipment:
Appropriate clothing and a light weapon of your choice, plus two expensive items, two moderately priced items, and up to four inexpensive items.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
, miss
, miss
Squeak's enormous hammer whirls through the air, a roaring noise coming from the head. A mighty blow, it is still telegraphed well enough for the skeleton to dodge.
Bronwyn cracked the door open and doesn't see any immediate danger so she stepped into the hallway and moved quickly towards the 'forged. She was going to cast fire at the creature but remembered what had happened in Sharn and thought better of it. Instead she said the arcane words to create a magic missile to fly at the creature attacking Palisade.
Trading ineffectual blows that accomplished little but striking sparks from their armor, the 'forged and the undead battered at each other, both seeking and for the moment failing to find an opening.
Worry no longer. Given the lack of enthusiasm, I decided to continue the game as is.
I'll look for another outlet for my 'Cypher/Numenera' itch. :)
Game on!
Bronwyn opened the door, giving them a view of the battle engaged within. At first Vi thought that Palisade was battling yet another enemy 'forged. However, this creature was different. Bones and sinew, not plating and fibre. "Karrnathi," she breathed, and the body she wore shivered into gooseflesh.
Looking down at her two small daggers, she realized that this would be no help at all in fighting such a creature. No flesh to cut, no organs to pierce, nothing vital to strike. She doubted that her daggers would even scratch the enchanted skeleton's bones, assuming she could get close enough to try. Her crossbow wouldn't fare much better - the bolts would just go through the ribs and out the other side.
Moving quickly back to her stuff, Vi dropped her daggers and grabbed at her bandolier. Quickly identifying her tanglefoot bag by feel, she moved back to the door. Aiming carefully - wouldn't do to get Palisade caught up in this goo - she tossed it at the skeleton soldier.
The sac exploded right at the undead's feet, and the sticky goo entangled the skeleton's feet and legs. If nothing else, at least her warforged friends would have better odds against it now.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
, pass
, miss
, miss
With its footing compromised, the undead no longer could dodge aside or correct its balance. Thus Palisade pushed its attack, slamming the pommel of its sword on the Karnathi soldier's armor to break the enemy's stance for long enough to strike through its guard. The 'forged's heavy blade cut deeply into rope-like muscle and stone-hard bones, crushing and cutting its way through the undead's side almost all the way to its spine.
Squeak, paused as he tried to get the feel for his new strength. Tentatively he swung again - but the blow was so weak it was little more than a distraction.
Bronwyn almost cheered as Palisade struck a mighty blow against the undead. Even though her wand didn't do as much damage as the 'forged, she aimed it at the entangled creature and released the magic.
She smiled as the magic blasted away another piece of bone.
Squeak, still thrumming with power, looked over at Palisade. "Impressive!" he acknowledged. "Old Tom would be proud."
Squeak looked at Bronwyn and the shattered seleton. "Secure the objective while I disassemble and scavenge?" he requested.
"Khyber Below!" Vi swore, as she finally made her way into the other room. "We have Karrnathi attacking us now? I TOLD you we should have stayed in Sharn!"
Action 2
Ignoring the guards questions, Vi went on the offensive. "I thought these trains were safe! What kind of security lets a bloody great Karrnathi skeleton on the train? What, did it sneak in somebody's bag? We could have been killed! Look at Palisade! That thing nearly chopped him in half! I demand that you find somebody to take care of him, and I want guards in the carriage for the rest of this journey. Otherwise I'll be taking this shocking lapse in security straight to my lawyers, and the Chronical, the moment we arrive!"
"Suggestion." states Squeak, as he sought to emulate Palisade's clipped military speech "Potentially more attackers. Potentially seeking another carriage in first class. Attacker did not break engagement with first target, which suggests that it was not sent to engage a particular target."
Action 1:
Bronwyn yanked her hand back as the symbol on the armor was revealed. "That symbol is for The Order of the Emerald Claw, a terrorist organization. It used to be chivalrous but it was outlawed almost 20 years ago." She shakes her head, "That doesn't bode well."
Action 2:
Bronwyn crossed her arms and glared at the guards, "Since when is it customary to blame the victims? How are we supposed to know why an undead soldier attacked us? We certainly weren't targeted." Realizing she's still in her bedclothes, she hides herself behind her 'husband'.
She tried to match Vi's indignation but there was a quiver in Bronwyn's voice that made her sound more terrified than intimidating.
She tried to match Vi's indignation but there was a quiver in Bronwyn's voice that made her sound more terrified than intimidating.
Vi immediately turned around and comforted his "wife". "There, there, honey. We're okay. Come on, I'll have somebody fetch you a nice calming tea." She turned her glare behind her on the nearest guard, and said, "Tea. Now. And biscuits. The good ones."
Not looking to see if she was obeyed, Vi guided Bronwyn back into their room, and after waiting a moment to see if the 'forged would follow, closed the door.
Action 1
"Impressive!" he acknowledged. "Old Tom would be proud."
Having managed to dislodge its sword from the undead’s crushed ribcage, Palisade nodded its thanks to Squeak. ”Dubious agreement. Perhaps Sergeant Old Tom would have appreciated the final blow, but this one suspects he would have made this one dig and fill up holes for several evenings for the initial failures to penetrate the foe’s guard,” Palisade answered. Though in truth it doubted the old grumpy NCO would have bothered – the human had learned very early on that ‘forged generally didn’t mind doing what they were told to, however pointless the task might have seemed to the human soldiers.
”Addendum. In any case, the much of the success of this one’s strike can be attributed to the deterioration of the foe’s stance doe to sudden immobility,” Palisade went on, nodding politely at Vi for the ‘forged had taken note on who had tossed the sticky trap.
Action 2
"Suggestion." states Squeak, as he sought to emulate Palisade's clipped military speech "Potentially more attackers. Potentially seeking another carriage in first class. Attacker did not break engagement with first target, which suggests that it was not sent to engage a particular target."
”Agreed. Stealthy incursion to a lightning rail traveling at cruising speed seems a risky venture. The likelihood of a single combatant making the attempt seems low,” Palisade said, agreeing with its old squadmate’s analysis. ”Perhaps the purpose of a single attacker was to focus the defenders’ response to a point of little importance to the attackers, leaving them to complete their primary objectives wuth impunity. A Karrnathi undead would not balk at a diversion attack likely to lead to its own destruction.”