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@AK, are we allowed to make any pre-game acquisitions using our Profit Factor? While there are some fun things Varius would like to get his hands on (bionics, special weapons, suppression shield), to start I mostly want to get a few more pieces of equipment and a secondary weapon (thinking a compact autogun).
Afraid not. I'll probably allow a round of acquisitions on Damaris itself though.
Iago, you and me are definitively going to be connected through our background, I'll read through yours later and re-write mine accordingly.
Iago, my backstory has Varius on an explorator vessel that crashed into a chaos infested space hulk, and ended up stranded there. Could that play into your background?
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@AK, are we allowed to make any pre-game acquisitions using our Profit Factor? While there are some fun things Varius would like to get his hands on (bionics, special weapons, suppression shield), to start I mostly want to get a few more pieces of equipment and a secondary weapon (thinking a compact autogun).
I think the events don't quite line up right for them to be the same one *but* could it be that Kavro was part of the explorator team that rescued what remained of the crew of the Tannhauser? Or it could be the other way around, Iago could have been part of the crew that finally pulled Kavro out of the other ship. (Perhaps that's how the chaos infestation got on board the battlecruiser in the first place.)
Reading Helsreach now. It should help me in visualizing how to defend a city against an orkish horde.
When you search, click the button to show just items. It'll be a much shorter list.
Sorry about the flood of posts this morning. I'm stuck inside for a bit and keep remembering things that I should have put into previous posts. :)
I'm going to rule that the Aeternus has an starting astropathic choir of a single lesser Astropath. You may be able to acquire more with acquisitions.
Please add this information to the ship.
In addition; the ship has an Astropathic Relay (page 163 CRB); please list effects on both the ship and on Arannis' profile.
Arannis; you will likely need a full choir to manage the kind of communication the Lord Captain is asking for; and even then, you'll have to "push" (see page 157 CRB). It is highly likely you will be far more successful attempting this from Damaris itself.
Ah, alright. I assume that Arannis would know this, so I suppose that he would say so to Silas. And I will add the Astropathic Relay's effects as soon as I have access to the book entry, meaning on Monday.
A note on the request from Silas to rescan:
How do you normally view Augury in Rogue Trader? It seems like it's different in every game that I play. (understandably)
On the one hand, there's no test to detect being augured and there's no mention of the ability to do so. However, I expect that people conceptualize the Augur ability like real submarine sensor systems. Where the difference between passive and active for the purposes of stealth are paramount. Whereas, from the rules of Rogue Trader, it appears the difference between Active Augury and Focused Augury is essentially how much "ground" you're trying to cover in a specified amount of time. If you want everything within 20 VUs it'll take about as much time as looking at one specific spacecraft.
I'm, as usual, happy with either way. Or if there are rules hidden in some book somewhere, I'd be happy to check them finally learn about them.
Fair enough. Is there a standard practice to using focused auguries on non-hostiles? As in, is it normal practice or considered a hostile act? Or somewhere in between? Do people care?
And finally...are *we* being augured then? ;)
Heh, I just kind of assume the other ship is going to Focus Augur our ship. I mean, they better if they want to win the fight. But like I said, I'm good. I just needed to know what the standard procedure was.
If we can'd to that without giving away our intent then visuals should suffice. The names of those ships should be on their hulls.
Oh, I should note that "Number One" sounds kind of silly. Given Silas isn't a military commander, you could probably just call him Iago. No one else does. People that know him call him McKie and those that don't call him Commander.
Bear with Silas, Iago. He's a bit eccentric and likes to play soldier.
Still, then Commander or First Officer would be better. Number One was silly even when Patrick Stewart said it, and he's the man. Though if that's what you're going for, then by all means.
Deal, Commander.
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I'm going to rule that the Aeternus has an starting astropathic choir of a single lesser Astropath. You may be able to acquire more with acquisitions.
Please add this information to the ship.
In addition; the ship has an Astropathic Relay (page 163 CRB); please list effects on both the ship and on Arannis' profile.
This still needs doing by both parties. I know Castor's waiting on the book but the Aeternus needs the info listed on it.
I'm going to rule that the Aeternus has an starting astropathic choir of a single lesser Astropath. You may be able to acquire more with acquisitions.
Please add this information to the ship.
In addition; the ship has an Astropathic Relay (page 163 CRB); please list effects on both the ship and on Arannis' profile.
This still needs doing by both parties. I know Castor's waiting on the book but the Aeternus needs the info listed on it.
Will make the necessary input when I get to the office.
Can some1 send me the astropathic relay stats as i am away from my books. Thank you
['b]Astropathic Relay[/b]
['i]Astropathic Choir:[/i] For each astropath in the choir assisting the sending astropath, the sending astropath's Psy Rating for transmission is boosted by +1 to a maximum of +10. However, weaker astropaths are at risk of burn out. If a signal is sent at the Push Psychic Strength, the astropath suffers a +20 on any rolls on the Psychic Phenomena or Perils of the Warp charts.
['i]Dispersal Scoop:[/i] +10 to Psyniscience tests to detect astral signals.
['i]Hexagrammatic Warding:[/i] All rolls on the Psychic Phenomena and Perils of the Warp Charts are at -10.
['ooc]Refer to the chart on page 163 of CRB for base time, Psy Rating needed, and Focus Power Test difficulties based on message range.[/ooc]
Heads up, something's come up and I'll be traveling from the 9th to the 18th and may not have access during that time so I'll probably need to be botted.
Sorry for the short notice.
One of the Seneschal's main roles isscrewing over the other traderssorry... aggressively bargaining on your behalf to make our PF sing as much as it can. This is generally a contested Commerce roll (Navis vs Merchant) that modifies our PF either up or down. However that means alot of dice rolling and mental 'rithmetic to run through.
Just to nitpick a little, that's the High Factotum's job, not necessarily the Seneschal's. ;)
It could be a role that the Rogue Trader takes upon themselves or filled by a few other career classes. In our case, it's probably a good idea that Navis take the role, with Silas giving assistance. (He also has a mighty good Commerce and can give a +10 because he's a Rogue Trader.) A Master of Whispers probably has a ton of other things to do, but since we don't want to add NPCs to have even more people doing rolls, Navis makes sense. Unless Silas would rather do it himself, of course. (Navis is mechanically superior, but characters have a way of ignoring that on occasion.)
With that said, I have no objections to this method. Nor, of course, do I have a horse in the race of which character does the job. Mine is most assuredly, not.
Alright. I have added the Astropathic Relay information. It is under Ship Resources in Arannis' character sheet.
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As we 'may' be coming up to a point where acquisitions could be made, I thought I'd broach the protocol with AK to make sure we're in reasonable shape and agreement.
One of the Seneschal's main roles is
screwing over the other traderssorry... aggressively bargaining on your behalf to make our PF sing as much as it can. This is generally a contested Commerce roll (Navis vs Merchant) that modifies our PF either up or down. However that means alot of dice rolling and mental 'rithmetic to run through.In a previous life AK suggested we assume average rolls (50) and a set Commerce skill for our commercial adversaries for various rarities (40 for VR and below, 50 for ER and above) to save time - which I would be perfectly cool with. Obviously AK has first and last say on what is and isn't available as well. Similarly depending on where we are in the Expanse there could be situational modifiers as well.
If that's all ok - then here's how I'd propose the acquisitions flow:
- 1. AK confirms the Commerce skill to assume and states any conditional modifiers.
- 2. Navis Yosarni reviews the numbers, does the math and puts into the OOC a short table of item rarity vs modified PF.
- 3. Each person handles their own acquisitions, but due to the groundwork needs only roll a single d100 and compare it to the modified PF table that I laid out to determine success / failure.
Also, for ease of AK review - I propose we adopt a specific format for posting the acquisition roll so that it's simple and easy for him to QA/QC. Something like:
Acquisition 1/3:
Five Common Inferno Grenades (ItS p116)
Trivial (+20) Common (0) Rare (-10) = +10
Modified PF 34 +10 = 44: 1d100 - failure
I am in full agreement with this process. I'll draw up a table or list of rarity to merchant skill at a later point.
I'm definitely getting a chain axe if the opportunity arises. Frenzied Navigator :D.
Assuming we do get some acquisition chances, and I am allowed some despite probably not being present at the time, I'd like to get (in order of importance):
Sniper rifle/Longlas (Ludicus prefer solid rounds over las)
Drusian Chainsword
Frag grenades
Inferno rounds for bolt pistols
Assault stubber
Red dot laser sight
Ploin juice
Ration packs (Best quality)
So since we don't have a Purser no-one gets paid? I dearly hope the Ship's Roles aren't a one and only noose to restrict our characters... otherwise I'd opt out of them completely. 'Sides, there are more than enough reasons as to why a Master of Whispers would want to ride the current of the commercial markets and pick up rumors through whispers, etc.I repeat that it's my job... but feel free to run your own acquisitions if you don't want the PF boost :P
Well no, there are tons of NPCs on a Rogue Trader ship. It's a small city. All of the roles in the book are usually covered, just usually by NPCs. Since we have so many player characters in this game, it's not really fair to rely on those NPCs for everything since we should be able to cover it. (Hence why my character was rolling Auguries, though was looking over the shoulder of the Master of Etherics.)
This ship may not have a High Factotum, and it may be that the Master of Whispers actually does that job. But it may also be that the Rogue Trader does that job. I just thought it'd be something you wanted to work out with the other player who has Commerce. The optimal thing, game-wise, would be for Navis to do acquisitions, and for Silas to assist with Commerce and to also use his Roger Trader ability to boost your Commerce rolls, when able. And I expect that's what will happen.
But it's important to note that our characters do have roles on the ship and that there are other characters around. I think, and AK can correct me if I'm wrong, that you're probably free to write in that the High Factotum on the ship essentially works for you as an assistant, or doesn't even exist (and Navis does it all himself). It's up to you, really.
As for a Purser, I expect that there is one on the ship, and that he keeps careful track of the money. Because Silas doesn't strike me as the type of Rogue Trader that likes to even look at numbers.
My own character is essentially the Master of Etherics and the Master of Ordnance along with being the First Officer (and occasionally the pilot). So it's not like I'm against you filling the role of High Factotum as well as Master of Whispers. I just took exception to assuming it was only a Seneschal's job. ;)
** spoiler omitted **
My job :)
I get what you're saying and all - but ultimately it boils down to a role and task that I'm willing, able and best suited to take on on behalf of the team. And it's also a role backed up by the fluff as being the Seneschals.
I'm not trying to start a fight or argue here. Clearly you want your character to be doing the job, and he's good at it. I see no reason for him not to be doing it. And frankly, you don't need my permission (even if, for some weird and wildly irrational reason, I were unwilling to give it).
I feel like this got tense where it didn't need to be. (I should note that I feel this is my fault, not yours). My only point was that Seneschals can do different things on board a ship and don't necessarily have to be the one doing acquisitions. I just didn't want anyone to be misled.
I'm all for Navis doing this job. I'm not even a little bit against it. Not one iota. If I gave that impression, I apologize.
I am in full agreement with this process. I'll draw up a table or list of rarity to merchant skill at a later point.
I've decided to base this off acquisition modifier rather than anything else; which means it scales a lot better and represents that someone who can provide a Significant or Vast scale of an common item is likely to be a more savvy/experienced merchant than some planetbound merchant selling a few here and there.
Total Acquisition Modifier +110 to +81= 15 Commerce opposed roll.
Total Acquisition Modifier +80 to +41= 20 Commerce opposed roll.
Total Acquisition Modifier +40 to +11= 25 Commerce opposed roll.
Total Acquisition Modifier +10 to -19= 30 Commerce opposed roll.
Total Acquisition Modifier -20 to -39= 35 Commerce opposed roll.
Total Acquisition Modifier -40 to -59= 40 Commerce opposed roll.
Total Acquisition Modifier -60 to -79= 45 Commerce opposed roll.
Total Acquisition Modifier -80 to -99= 50 Commerce opposed roll.
Total Acquisition Modifier -100 to 109= 55 Commerce opposed roll.
Total Acquisition Modifier -110 to 130= 60 Commerce opposed roll.
I've added this to the (long) campaign description tab for reference.
Note the acquisition process is generally too lengthy for someone to benefit from the Lord-Captain's +10 bonus. No inspiration bonus on acquisition tests.