MNM Amazing Adventures (Inactive)

Game Master tumbler

Sorry for the verbosity. Just excited to get going.

No, no. There are only three of us. Push the verbosity. Work continues to murder my non-work life, so I apologize if the start is slow. I'll try to keep up.

Also, I know the first person narration is a little weird. I likely won't stick with it all the time, but it felt pleasantly noir to me, so I thought I'd go with it.

I am spoiled from reading Hawkeye comics (and playing the video game Alpha Protocol). Does Tracksuit have a Russian accent by any chance?

No reason for that to be a spoiler. Dottie knowing nearby Russian mafia isn't a problem. I don't plan to steal too much of the Hawkeye plot, just the gang.

Although the hurricane plotline would be an interesting setting for a story.

I'm posting this to all of my games:

I apologize for my slowness in posting. Back to School has been kicking my ass more than normal this year. I'm working way too much. I keep thinking Things will get better this week. and that keeps not being the case. Hopefully things will start getting better and I'll be able to post more frequently. Until then, I apologize again for being so slow to update.

No worries chief - work's kicking my arse as well.

Always a tough time of year. I work at a university and have to manage a student mixer today. Thanks for letting us know and check in when you can.

Meanwhile in game, now that I've set up this brilliant plan to lure the dude away, I have to figure out what I'm actually going to do with him.

Come into my web said the spider to the fly... (or War Widow to Tracksuit lol).

I am assuming your character isn't further responding at this point?

Sorry - no, had replied in my head, but work got the better of me.

Nothing to add :)

BTW just a reminder that while she wouldn't do anything super obvious to capture the attention of those who would try to capture her, she also generally gives no f*%$s about what people think of her, or about doing a little friendly s$&+-stirring.

As for her general public persona, she will be reasonably friendly and sociable if the situation calls for it. Generally, blandly nice people are FAR less noticeable than anyone else. That's exactly why she developed the original persona of "Dottie Underwood" as just a nice, a bit dim young lady from the midwest--and got away with living next door to Peggy Carter for WEEKS without Peggy once suspecting her of anything even after Peggy knew she should be looking for a female assassin.

At the same time for her purposes she also isn't hiding to those she is immediately close to that she's had a rough past (even if she does hide the exact details of said rough past). It's easier to engage in the information she wants to receive if she isn't coy about certain things--especially since she has to give a good (and actually honest, to an extent) reason why she can't get better work and doesn't have adequate identification paperwork. She can't pretend to be an innocent lady who just happened to lose all her papers, that wouldn't fly this day and age. (If this plot hadn't started yet, her activities for the day would have involved seeking out getting IDs made for herself, something she still needs to do).

Moreover, she knows being aloof and mysterious is a surefire way to get people to ask questions about her she doesn't want them to be asking. Sure SOME Black Widows act like that's the cool way to be, but THOSE Black Widows also engage in silly, useless things like... what's that word... starts with an R.... rhymes with "a horse..." reborse? redorse? renorse? Something like that.

Dottie is not Natasha. They just went to the same school.

Getting legit appearing ID could also be a nice hook for Frank, maybe? In any case, I think I have a pretty good idea for the next challenge, so I'm going to post it. Feel free to converse as long as you want before you move forward to this next event.

The day is still young when Dottie and Frank finish their work. That is what happens when you go to work in the middle of the night. As the typical day unfolds, the lunch rush takes the attention of the few who work the day, and then most nights one of a rotating few musicians comes in to play during the night shift between 8 and 12. Most of them play blues guitar and sing the songs of the delta.

This night there is a skilled guitarist in his 60's, the kind who would make you wonder why he never made it big if you still believed in the American Dream. You've learned to enjoy the faint music in the distance or to ignore it completely, depending on your wont.

Tonight, as you sit or sleep in your inadequately air conditioned efficiency, around 10 o'clock, when the safe is flush with cash, the music suddenly stops and you hear what is undoubtedly the sound of small arms fire. There might be shouting, there is certainly screaming, but it is too far away to make out clearly.

Regardless, something is happening downstairs...

SuperTumblr, I wasn't quiiite ready to move on yet. Dottie did actually want to tell Earl that the Bratva had come calling and she made a deal with them he needn't worry about, and to let Laura and Frank know if any of the tracksuit boys come by to let her know (especially so I can clue Frank into the plot since he's laying low). I was just waiting for Earl to come out of the office to have that conversation. She's not going to leave them in the dark about gangsters eying the place--especially if the street is contested turf.

She also wanted to spend the day (after taking a nap) learning about the current gangs immediately in the area.

I don't expect that changes anything that happens in the evening, but let me know if we need to play that out or if there's any fallout from that conversation, or rolls I need to make. Otherwise if you want to handwave it that's fine, but I don't want to leave the characters in the dark (especially Frank).

You know what I'll just RP out what I was going to say since you said "converse as long as you want before moving on." (And FWIW knowing the evening activity has not changed what I was going to do in the slightest.)

Have chimed in with Frank's take on the morning meeting, dropping in a hint of Frank's past with a dash of his assumptions regarding Dottie :)

Frank is running with his real name as the actions of his villainous past were orchestrated under the Constrictor codename and alias of Francis "Frankie" Schlichting.

Schlichting is a German surname. Did some digging on its meaning - North German: nickname for someone who arbitrates or one who meddles in other people’s affairs, from Middle High German slihtinc ‘arbitrator’, ‘intervener’. How ironic eh?

Payne means villager, rustic or pagan...

With regards to the evening's entertainment - I'm going to play Frank as someone reluctant to get involved. Sure he has a pelicase holding a vibrainium coiled battle suit in his possession but he won't be rushing to don it and fight crime.

Am actually wondering if he's buried or hidden the tech somewhere (a la John Wick) - he'd be fearful of it being discovered. Perhaps somewhere on the site of Duke's? Basement or storage area? Loft space?? Food for thought.

Silly Frank, Dottie got her physique from ballet classes. :)

Do as feels right, but if you make him too reluctant, I'll be playing this game by myself. ;) (Which I would rather not do.) By which I mean to say, I don't want you feeling like you're sitting out while I'm reacting (by the same token if no one's reacting, Tumbler's running a game with no players).

Dottie will check out what's happening with the gunfire, I just want to know what Duke has to say in the morning (because it may inform future actions) and then I'll react to the other stuff.

Hey, Bridget Regan was in John Wick. :)

Yeah I'm treading a fine line - last thing I see Frank doing is running up (down?) stairs to don his Constrictor suit... have a potential hook that I'll throw in but right now I'm happy for him to be the reluctant penitent (but not too reluctant).

SuperTumbler you ok? I know work was bogging you down, just making sure you're not waiting on something from us. I'm still waiting on a reply from the boss --- I'd like to be sure I have that under my belt before checking out the noise at night.

Sorry folks. Many bumps in my life at the moment. Then trouble getting on the site this weekend, then back to new bumps. I'll get back as soon as I can.

There was some minor site maintenance recently that should hopefully have fixed the technical issues (things seem to be a little better now).

Sorry things are going rough. Take care of yourself and let us know if you need a formal break--I know we only just got started, but life has its own plans sometimes.

Sorry to hear about the RL stymies Tumbler - hope all works out ok.

For my part I'm pretty slammed at work at the moment - so the slow pace suits.

I'm trying to post in a style that simulates not just what you see, but how you might process it a little bit. That requires a little bit of toe stepping as I am trying to get into your character's heads. I apologize if I assume too much.

I just found this... :D

(I need to work on making her dialogue shorter and quippier. My inability to shut up is leaking through too much.)

@Both: Slammed at work, busy phase of ops going on with skeleton crew (alas not the undead, ceaselessly working kind). Likely tail end of the week before I get some clear air - please bot me as necessary.

BD, as you have not revealed any fighting skill yet--your next move is either to attack and reveal that or try to keep intimidating the thugs. If you have a minute to provide some guidance as to which you'd do, that'd probably be a good idea....

Good luck at work.

As he's been shot at - will fight.

So I'm the idiot who had Dottie drop both her knife and the gun in the dining room. What's the chances she filed her fingerprints off....?

(I will deal with any consequences come what may. I'm oddly amused and filled with dread at the same time--more for the restaurant than Dot herself.)

BD, you favorited my posts Sat, but you haven't answered Dottie's question yet...?

Not yet - slammed at work. Favourite is a lot quicker than a long, thunk out post :)

Ah. I got all excited because I thought a reply was coming. (No problem about work tho. We knew this was going to be a slow paced game. I just set up false expectations.)

By the way, can I do a slight re-shift of my skill points? I want to shift 3 points from Acrobatics into Athletics (so the new modifiers will be +12 and +10). When I converted, I forgot that jumping transferred from Acrobatics to Athletics.

The fun things I have Googled during this game--the history of the Bratva, biscuit and breadroll recipes, and the history of fingerprinting as forensic evidence.

Turns out the last goes back to the 1930s, so I put in the comment about the Red Room erasing her fingerprints, also just because why WOULDN'T they make a child soak her fingers in acid? That'd be like the Red Room's version of recess.

But forensic evidence has come far so I also accept they may find some evidence on her and accept those consequences when they happen. Not trying to avoid trouble, but also giving my character room to be competent where I am not. ;)

Pls let me know about the skill point shift. Thanks.

Skill shift is good. Dottie should be jumpy.

I always wonder what my FBI profile looks like based on my search history, most related to games, the rest to theater and teaching literature.

DQ/Tumbler - just a wee heads up that my last grandparent passed this morning :(

My Granny Connie was 97 and the matriarchal fulcrum of our pretty big extended family. I'm being pretty philosophical about it and the good life she led, but just a heads up that if I'm off beat over the next wee while please bear with.

Cheers

My condolences, BD. Holding you and your family in my prayers. Take whatever time you need.

Condolences echoed. I've lost 3 90 something grandmothers in the past few years, so I know what it's like. You feel good about their life lived, but it still an absence in your life.

At this time of thanksgiving, I wanted to take a moment to be thankful for my online PbP community. I'm not the best PbP GM. Often busy and inattentive. But I am thankful for the generous and creative people that I have found on this forum to play games with with. They allow me to indulge in games I otherwise would not be able to play. To connect with people I otherwise would never encounter. To have a few moments every day that are sublime. Whether high fantasy, low modern, or science fiction, than you for your contributions to my life. Know that you might often feel neglected, but I hope you will believe that each of the people in my games is one of the best things in my life. I am thankful for each of you.

Cheers for the kind and thoughtful words you pair.

Very much appreciated and agree 110% Tumbler - these boards and the peeps upon them are a very special place.

That is very kind of you SuperTumbler. Thank YOU for putting this game together, especially taking the time to give me a chance to really get to play this character, and putting up with all my nonsense. :)

And thank you, BlackDow for joining in and making it an even more fun ride!!!

Wee heads up folks - me and the missus are heading off to Dubai for our annual festive break with my brother-in-law and family from tomorrow.

I'm not back until the PM of 30th of Dec, and while I hope to post if/when I can, we may be pretty busy so presume it'll be sporadic at best.

I'll get some posting done throughout today, but likely tomorrow will be too busy and wanted to give everyone the heads up now.

- Tumbler please bot Frank as necessary - think you and DQ have a pretty decent handle on how he'll deal with situations :)

Regardless hope both of you have a superb festive holiday when it comes - looking forward to continuing our Marvel misadventures into the new year!

Dubai, schmancy! :) Oddly my boss just flew there on the way to a business meeting just the other day.

Have a good trip.

My holiday focus involves the weeks of Christmas and New Years, but I am travelling locally and should have my phone with me, so I should be good to go.

Dubai, schmancy! :) Oddly my boss just flew there on the way to a business meeting just the other day.

Have a good trip.

My holiday focus involves the weeks of Christmas and New Years, but I am travelling locally and should have my phone with me, so I should be good to go.

Cheers DQ

Benefits of having relatives living abroad. They were in the US for years (Texas, Alaska, then Texas again) before moving to UAE.

My yearly dose of sunshine lol.

Have a great trip. I'll be off to boring Florida Panhandle at some point, but that won't make my posting schedule any worse. If anything, without the burden of work, it will be better.

Is that the official geographical label for it? "Boring Florida panhandle"? :)

On pondering character psychology...

Playing this scene, my gut keeps saying, Dottie is annoyed because this guy is an obstacle to getting the food to the shelter. She wants to be sure the food doesn't get wrecked (a cup of sauce aside).

And I'm thinking, but why does she care? Sure, her weird sense of "sharing the wealth" and all, but that's not THAT big a priority for her truthfully, and why am I playing it this way?

And then I realize, it's the mission. It's her effing complication. She must get the mission done at all costs (save for survival, and she doesn't feel truly threatened yet; this guy is just in the WAY). She's going to draw the guy away from the food or protect the food because she's a soldier and she has her marching orders and she will not let this obstacle end her mission, even if all it is is "take the extra food to the shelter."

She couldn't give him what he wanted because she doesn't have anything to give to him (she does not have on her wallet, cash, or phone because she does not possess these items), and she knows idiots like this won't take no for an answer otherwise even if it's obvious to a sober person that she has nothing of value to take. And she knows idiots like this will attack if they don't get what they want, especially since there's a high probability they're hopped up on something. So I guess fight it is... I'm not sure if I'm making the best tactical choices, but sadly Dottie's got a poor handler (with weird die roll luck to boot) pulling her strings.

Anyway, there's some "I think too much about my character motivations" rambling for you.

On a practical end... I'll be busy of course probably at least Sun-Tues. I'll check in on my phone but I expect y'all will (still) be off on your own holiday obligations so happy solstice, merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.

I was rereading M&M's disarm rules and think I was not using them right before. If I am reading them right, you treat them like a melee attack--the attack roll is to see if you connect with the person/object as usual. But if you hit then the opponent makes their Strength check versus the "damage" of the attack (i.e., the Toughness DC of the attack, so if you're disarming unarmed, you use the DC of your unarmed attack), not versus the attack roll.

I'm not sure if that's how we handled it in the first fight. I'm too used to Pathfinder where it's all CMB vs CMD.

Although of course what a Nat 20 I believe you can add +5 to the DC, so that's good news for Frank's most excellent attack.

The annoying thing is it automatically favors Str based fighters in the system. Dottie's unarmed DC is only 17. She takes down SSR mooks and can take a shotgun away from Peggy, but M&M enemies tend to have Str/damage maxed out (and Toughness maxed out). Hmm. I may have to think about rejiggering things. I could boost Str with a few XP when we earn them, but I don't see her getting much stronger than +3. Her superhumanity isn't that way. I think I can build a power that would be a specific damage for certain types of attack, but I don't have the points for it and am not sure what I'd sacrifice in her current build for it. I guess maybe just see how it goes...

I think in this setting it won't be a huge problem. Most of the mooks don't have maxed out strength due to their reliance on ranged weapons. It make sense to me that Dottie probably couldn't disarm someone as strong as Luke Cage. He would probably shrug off the attempt.

In a system like this, I'd really prefer it be an opposed roll like in the old days. That way, fighters go toe to toe on equal footing regardless of their style.

Good point. (And she wouldn't try to disarm someone like Luke, she'd be trying to distract them and find a vulnerability.) I won't fret about it.

Well, it is an opposed roll sort of, but the roll is apparently the target's Str versus your "damage" rather than attack roll vs attack roll. I agree, in a genre where skilled fighters have a variety of builds and sources of ability (which is indeed why they made "Fighting" as a separate ability score in this edition) it's odd they would add the Str check.

Apologies on the tardy posting gang - fell down the rabbit hole that is post-festive-work-catch-up.

Will try and get updated and back into it proper o'er the weekend.