Savage Worlds: Necessary Evil Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Poor Wandering GM

Jud, Novice 1

Advance - Power Points Edge (5 points)
Spending 4 points on Attack (melee) Lvl 2
Spending 1 point on Armor Piercing add-on to Attack (melee) to get4 points of AP

With a Vibrosword Judd would do Strength + d8 + 2 + 2d6 in damage and have 6 points in AP

I think you mean AP2 not AP4. One point at a +1 per 2AP cost, unless I am missing something?

The measly punks at the drug den had them so I'd bet the big bosses guards will have them too.

Jud Smith wrote:

Jud, Novice 1

Advance - Power Points Edge (5 points)
Spending 4 points on Attack (melee) Lvl 2
Spending 1 point on Armor Piercing add-on to Attack (melee) to get4 points of AP

With a Vibrosword Judd would do Strength + d8 + 2 + 2d6 in damage and have 6 points in AP

I think you mean AP2 not AP4. One point at a +1 per 2AP cost, unless I am missing something?

Right you are, in my head I added the swords +2 to the melee Attack +2 and typed that...so AP2 from power point +AP2 from sword

So how do folks want to intro the new guy?

The easiest way is a reinforcement from Doc D.

My other thought thought is a vigilante who is taking on more than he should by going after the Slashers. Imagine's gang could see what's developing and figuring the enemy of my enemy is my friend would help out.

I had figured on a reinforcement from Dr. Destruction as well. But if they had a piece of tech that he desired, he wouldn't be against working with them, though then we would likely need a scene of Dr. D formally (and forcefully) inducting him into Omega.

Not that Renegade would put up a huge fight on the matter. More of a "But, I don't, aw shit. Fine."

Well, as I still can't find my Explorer's Edition of the base Rules & I am not overly impressed with those Edges I am eligible for just yet, I will follow the trend & up my Spirit Die to d8.

In the name of Solidarity! Imagine will also increase her Spiwit die from d6 to d8.

Either vignette for the new guy is good. However the spirit moves.

Going to take Luck. I love me some bennies.

Well, as I still can't find my Explorer's Edition of the base Rules & I am not overly impressed with those Edges I am eligible for just yet, I will follow the trend & up my Spirit Die to d8.

Well that is unpleasant. Hope it turns up soon. That said I think the Test Drive has a chunk of novice edges or I can recommend some. Quick, luck and connections are always good choices.

Quick & Luck I can see. Connections...

Connections would have made perfect Sense for Belle, not so much for Rigor.
I know there was a combat edge that allowed you to make an attack against all enemies in proximity to you & that would make perfect sense for her, I just don't recall the name of it or the prerequisites. I'm not terribly worried, there are four more advancements before we get to Seasoned, I'm mostly just aggravated that I misplaced my copy & I really can't justify spending money on a new one at the moment.

Sweep (Reuirements: Novice, Strength d8, Fighting d8)

Allows a character to make a single Fighting attack and apply it against all currently adjacent targets at a -2 penalty (friends and foes alike - be careful). Resolve each damage roll separately. The attack is applied immediately and only affects targets adjacent at that time.

A character may not use sweep in the same round that she uses frenzy, nor may she sweep more than once per round, or with a second weapon held in another hand. In effect, the hero may only perform sweep once per action unless she somehow gets two entire actions.

The text makes me wonder just how much abuse this edge saw in playtesting. And there's a Veteran rank Improved Sweep that ignores the -2.

Well connections might work for Tracy.
The combat edge you are thinking of is "Sweep" N str&fighting d8. Attack everything adjacent at -2. Only one Sweep allowed per round without the Extra Action power.

She couldn't even use it twice with that power, unless she took the repeat rider as well & I think that kicks the cost up to six PP or so..
Still, thanks for posting it.

Tracy with Connections would be an unholy threat to all that is good & true...
Tempting...

Oh, almost forgot about this.

I've been playing her as a Megalomaniac anyway, so it seems meat to swap out the hinderance for Overconfident.

So, I think the consensus on Renegade's introduction is:

However you feel like doing so, GM!

Oh, almost forgot about this.

I've been playing her as a Megalomaniac anyway, so it seems meat to swap out the hinderance for Overconfident.

Thank you.

So, I think the consensus on Renegade's introduction is:

However you feel like doing so, GM!

Ok, does not look like anyone is really interested so we are skipping it.

Renegade is with the group, how and when don't really matter. All players have ALL the information available in the play thread. A rationale will be created if needed. Feel free to make something up if you like. The only explanation I am barring is having Dr. Destruction or another Omega member telling you.

She couldn't even use it twice with that power, unless she took the repeat rider as well & I think that kicks the cost up to six PP or so..

Still, thanks for posting it.

Tracy with Connections would be an unholy threat to all that is good & true...
Tempting...

Actually extra action would allow you a second sweep per turn so long as you used a different weapon or hand for each.

Moving forward: THE PLAN

The plan as far as I can see it, is for the group to travel a spot about 6 blocks from the Church and reassess?

With the density of buildings in Southpoint you will not be able to see much from six blocks away unless you are flying or on rooftops.

There is a park adjacent to the church (Thomas Paine Park)to the west which might allow better sight lines.

Dumb Questions

a. From which direction are you approaching? Easiest would be the SW as that is closest to your current location.

b. How are you getting there? It is a mater of several blocks but Star City is quite walk-able.
b1. Those of you who have the option, are you flying? With the group or rooftop level or taking high overwatch?

c. Are you making any attempt at stealth or are you going boldly forth? Are 'requires activation'powers active? Any visible weapons?

A) However the rest of the group wishes to travel.
B and B1) Renegade will fly. He will maintain the pace of the group and remain just below rooftop level to avoid detection.
C) Will indeed ATTEMPT to be somewhat sneaky, though likely not doing so well. He will also have his Awareness power activated, using his Sensory Array to detect anything that might be lurking about somewhat obscured/hidden.

Since most of us are walking, I imagined that we'd go via the shortest route since we don't really have any data that one way is better than another.

Imagine is flying high, invisible, and armored on over-watch. She's not keeping a mental link up, but will relay data as it comes up. She's stealthing, as much an invisible, flying, silent thing can be.

The way a classic Pez Technique goes, sight-lines really aren't preferred. We just want a building that we can lure them into.

A) However the rest of the group wishes to travel.

B and B1) Renegade will fly. He will maintain the pace of the group and remain just below rooftop level to avoid detection.
C) Will indeed ATTEMPT to be somewhat sneaky, though likely not doing so well. He will also have his Awareness power activated, using his Sensory Array to detect anything that might be lurking about somewhat obscured/hidden.

c. With a trapping of "Rocket Thrusters" on your flight stealth poses some issues. Mind you there are benefits to having plasma torches strapped to your feet but stealth is not among them. They may not know exactly where you are until they get LOS but they will know you are around and are nearby.

Updated dumb questions now with some answers!

a. Looks like you will be approaching from the SW absent any further discussion.

b. The walkers walk the flyers fly. Imagine on overwatch and Renegade on close support.

c. Walkers?

"Rocket Thrusters" was just the first monnicker that came to mind. Basically, picture the same things as the Iron-Man suit. And yes, I agree they are not really the stealthiest of devices either. Just wanted to make sure you weren't picturing some rocket jet pack on the back kinda thing.

Since they are loud enough to draw attention, I suppose I'll take a leisurely stroll with the rest after "arriving." I'm not wild about retconning in that I've been there the whole time, would you care if I just write up my own arrival post as they "depart" their current scene? That way I'm not suddenly "in the know" and it feels more organic?

Updated dumb questions now with some answers!

a. Looks like you will be approaching from the SW absent any further discussion.

b. The walkers walk the flyers fly. Imagine on overwatch and Renegade on close support.

c. Walkers?

A: Yes

Won't change my movement method since I had already said I'd fly, and hey, what's an up-and-coming villain without a few potential rookie mistakes, eh?

"Rocket Thrusters" was just the first monnicker that came to mind. Basically, picture the same things as the Iron-Man suit. And yes, I agree they are not really the stealthiest of devices either. Just wanted to make sure you weren't picturing some rocket jet pack on the back kinda thing.

Since they are loud enough to draw attention, I suppose I'll take a leisurely stroll with the rest after "arriving." I'm not wild about retconning in that I've been there the whole time, would you care if I just write up my own arrival post as they "depart" their current scene? That way I'm not suddenly "in the know" and it feels more organic?

I was figuring you were about as loud as Iron Man in the recent movies. You might rattle a few windows but you are not shattering any.

Feel free to write up and post an intro. PM it or post it here if you want me to give it a look over before hand. Looking forward to seeing it.

Won't change my movement method since I had already said I'd fly, and hey, what's an up-and-coming villain without a few potential rookie mistakes, eh?

No problem either way, this is just the OOC planning part. Noone has moved yet.

Update on Dumb Questions: Now 50% less dumb!

A. SW looking more and more likely.

B. Shank's mare it is then.

C. Stealth appears to have been abandoned in favor of intimidation and and a sweet cover shot.

Plot will move once Rigor/Tracy, Judd and Roxanne slip me the word.

A. SW works
B. Walking along as though she's a perfectly normal middle eastern academic in the hood.
C.Gun's in my purse. Snakes are under the scarf.

B. Walking with Rigor, Renegade, and Judd will not fail to get you noticed. Unless you want to be a block or so away.
Is that what you are thinking?

sry. Deleted post. Will try again tomorrow.

No, if we're gonna get seen, we're gonna get seen.

Baldy mentioned lookouts.
And Supers tend to be less than subtle.

You may already have been seen.

PWGM,

Before I make another rules-based mistaken assumption, can you clarify the following for me.

In my ghost-like intangible form, am I able to affect the material world? So, for instance, if I fire my gun, what happens? Or, can I go tangible while poking a ghost-like finger in someones eye and blind them?

There are really two questions here so in order...

In my ghost-like intangible form, am I able to affect the material world? So, for instance, if I fire my gun, what happens?

Short answer is you can't. Intangible is the ultimate defense at the expense of all offence as it says in the power description "The character ... cannot affect the physical world while intangible".

As far as the gun goes the power description states that intangible items do not function. Even if the gun did function the bullet would remain intangible and moving at full speed, until you became solid again. There might be an exploit there but nothing easy.

? Or, can I go tangible while poking a ghost-like finger in someones eye and blind them?

Yes, or it depends. Per the power description if you become silod inside someone or something both you and the other person/object take wounds depending on the amount of overlap. A finger would be one wound. The book calls a hand one wound but close enough. Note these wounds also apply if you go solid with an object inside another person. So poking your gun into someone's head and going solid will cause the same wounds to each of you. Call it feedback injury as the power tries to deal with the conflict.

In the specific case of the eye it will blind an extra as the wound takes them out of the fight. Against a wild card it depends, if they have wounds left then they likely reflexively pull themselves clear and are wounded but not insta-blind.

Does that help?

GM: Any response to my question in thread?

Repeated here for simplicity: Do I happen to see anything around here that might have a link up to the internet? Or, are we able to access the networks through our Comm-Links?

**All***

So I was hanging about watching videos of ants in micro-gravity while I worked on the opposition you are all about to walk into when a stray thought wandered by like a gently drifting European Sidewalk ant.

What do the players want from this? What will winning look like?

I realize I have no answer. More than that I couldn't see anything positive coming to you no matter how this plays out.

So I started thinking.
Assume everything goes freakishly according to plan and the Slashers act like WoW mobs. You kite them one by one unto your trap and eventually destroy the entire gang. What happens?
::The Family and other gangs move into the territory. Nothing changes except you now have a much more organized and competent gang in charge and you have revealed yourselves as capable of removing a local power. You are therefore a threat. You need to be controlled or removed. The easiest way to do this and to legitimate the new gangs hold on the territory would be to turn you or your corpses over to the V'sori. So by willing you are now being actively hunted and at the very least the V'sori consider you powerful enough be a concern and know you are in Southpoint. That does not sound like winning.

Ok so what is a better result? What happens if the Slashers simply surrender and declare you their new leader. As we are in fantasy land let us also assume that they suddenly become slavishly loyal and able to keep secrets despite their chaotic and drug addled brains. What happens?
::Using your freakishly loyal minions you become a force to be noticed. As you are noticed you become a threat. A threat with a location. SOCORP/V'sori fully occupy Southpoint and dismantle the Slashers. This is a better result but it is fantasy.

Ok, same idea but the Slashers act like Slashers.
::The people the other gangs/SOCORP have inside the Slashers report back that the Slashers have meta-humans in the gang/taken over the gang/advising the leadership. Meta-humans in power are a threat to the V'sori war machine. SOCORP/V'sori fully occupy Southpoint and dismantle the Slashers.

I see the same result for any scenario where you work with the Slashers. More importantly considering the loss of face it would entail I cannot see Jack Axe or the other leaders working with you as anything approaching equals.

So, assume you surrender and join the gang.

::The initiation beatings/humiliations required for Jack to save face is not something I want to RP. Getting past that you would then be subservient to psychopaths. Not the game I was expecting and not I expect one any of us will enjoy.

Right, exiting fantasy land. Let us assume you win the fight and break the Slashers power structure.
::See scenario one

Assuming you win the fight and take a chunk of territory either leaving the Slasher to regroup or crushing them.
::You are now publicly a viable meta-human threat with a specific location. Fin strike teams arriving in 3...2...1.....

Assuming you loose the fight and run.
::The Slashers and soon after that the V'sori know there is an active meta-human gang in Southpoint. Heat and patrols increase, game gets darker. Could be what you all are looking for but I don't think so.

And as for the fight, I do not see all of you coming out of this.
Roxanne is a likely casualty. Sorry but Glass Cannons do not do well when surrounded.
Renegade, Rigor, and Judd are coin flips. Gang up bonuses and a bit of luck and things can go south fast. The Slashers will know they have been in a fight but they only need to be lucky once.
Imagine is entirely dependent on luck but likely to survive. Wrong person with a good gun makes that spirit roll or slips outside your critical distance.....
Carl will very likely live. There has been no indication the Slashers use magic or anything else that can touch the untouchable and as Carl can loose pursuit by running through walls he is likely to live.

But even if you survive I cannot see what you win?
So where did I go wrong? What am I missing?

GM: Any response to my question in thread?

Repeated here for simplicity: Do I happen to see anything around here that might have a link up to the internet? Or, are we able to access the networks through our Comm-Links?

About to answer but doing it her as well.

In response to your wall-o-text, which I did read...

This is kinda the thing Renegade was trying to point out, though his primary concern is not the V'sori, but rather Dr. D's unpredictable reaction as well.

However, I do not want to crush anyone from actually pursuing their own goals, as a game on rails makes players feel like they have no control over their own actions.

Sooooo...being the new guy, I have no real way to add input on this in-character really beyond what I already have, I think.

Ok...making a post in-game with the Comm-Link, since it can access the web and networks...

Regarding the attempt to generate a 3D "map" of the area, I seem to recall reading somewhere that you don't intend to use maps for combat, so I am not really expecting a map to be presented or even described in a ton of detail. Just Renegade really trying to find out how many potential threats are in the area and trying to maintain an idea of where they are and how they are responding to their presence.

Heard and understood.
Yup no maps, I am too lazy. Let me know if you want more info than what I just posted and I will try to supply.

Nope, all the message you provided works well enough for me to do something with.

Moving the data from the VMAP post earlier to here for quicker reference (Original Post on Page 7 of the Gameplay thread):

Milk Run. Time sensitive task. Priority low:

Message form Dr Destruction begins: “The V’sori have been sending, something, to the Southpoint Slashers. On an irregular schedule an armored transport leaves Beachhead and drives across town to Southpoint. I want to know what is in that transport. Whatever it is it is important enough to have a SOCOP escort until it reaches Slasher territory in Southpoint. The transport is making another run tomorrow The map displays the transports projected route at 0227. Find out what is in that transport, I do not care how. Steal it , find a manifest, or blow the thing up and sift the rubble.” message ends.

Star City Stalker. Priority moderate:

Message from Dr. Destruction begins: ”We have a serial killer operating in Star City. Normally I would not interfere with a harmless hobby but three of the killer’s recent victims were useful to me. Find whoever is doing this and stop them or at least point them at better targets."

Big Fish down. Priority low:

Map shifts to display pre-invasion Richmond VA. The display focuses and highlights the Sun trust bank building at South 9th st and Highway 60.
Message from Dr. Destruction begins: ”The V’sori invasion began with a wave of terror attacks made by deorbiting our own satellites into our cities. An excellent plan as it not only spread terror it also crippled earth communications system. However the V’sori were rather indiscriminate in what they sent down."
Display changes to a picture of a large satellite. "This was Big Fish an apparently defunct communications satellite but in fact a very active spy satellite used by Alpha Squadron. Big Fish had a plutonium core for long-term power and judging from the lack of fallout in the area it appears to have landed intact. You will find Big Fish and bring what has survived to me."
"Transport has been arranged with the trawler Lady William. {Mooring address in the Docks given here.} Contact the captain, Mr. Jack Everett, he will be expecting you."

Knew i forgot something.

Adding V-map to Campaign info page.

That seems like a pretty broad definition of "you are now a threat worthy of fin strike teams." By that wording, anything that we do, including the Milk Run mission, should bring all hell down on our heads, since, by taking out a secure van with a heavy escort, we are now a threat.

Does every time the leadership in a gang change, demand full occupation and dismantlement? If they could do that, why haven't they done so for the entire city by now? If so, I'm fresh out of ideas of how we can be productive but not be a threat.

Sorry, I guess I was thinking too big.

If anyone else has a plan, I'll go along with whatever you want.

My assumption is that, in these missions, we have the coordination of other cell activity as well as Dr. Destruction himself taking efforts to smoke screen our actions. Also, especially the one with the escort, I assume part of the goal would be to leave no credible witnesses.

Taking actions that the boss man does not approve of, though, opens the door for him to not provide us background security, or if we tick him off bad enough, he may even take actions against us personally.

Granted, I'm sure that confrontations with the V'sori are inevitable. But, they are likely out of our league atm.

That seems like a pretty broad definition of "you are now a threat worthy of fin strike teams." By that wording, anything that we do, including the Milk Run mission, should bring all hell down on our heads, since, by taking out a secure van with a heavy escort, we are now a threat.

Does every time the leadership in a gang change, demand full occupation and dismantlement? If they could do that, why haven't they done so for the entire city by now? If so, I'm fresh out of ideas of how we can be productive but not be a threat.

Sorry, I guess I was thinking too big.

If anyone else has a plan, I'll go along with whatever you want.

Meta-humans have a bounty on their heads. Your recapture or death is a priority for the invaders. Not a top priority, but you are on the list somewhere.

The reason I mentioned the strike teams where I did is because by taking territory you become a publicly a viable meta-human threat with a specific location. All the bolded bits are important. And all need to be in place before a major response is called in.

By doing say Milk Run, unless you leave your names and addresses at the scene the V'sori response will not have a specific location to target. Yes they may know something happened in Southpoint depending on how Milk Run goes down. How much more they know will depend on how you complete the mission.

As far as gangs changing leadership. The V'sori could easily take apart every gang in the city. Either one at a time or all at once. They could easily destroy Star City from orbit as they did every other major city on the planet. Knowing they have this power they still consider a few random meta-humans a threat. Why this is might be important.

It is less how to be productive w/o being a threat but more how to be productive, how to be a threat, w/o getting caught.

So it appears that you were interested in taking some territory from the Slashers. Knowing that the Slashers were in bed with the V'sori what level of response were you expecting? Did I fail to communicate something? What went wrong?

From my point of view it appeared that you were trying to take over a large, violent, battle hardened, well equipped gang by simply walking up and demanding to be in charge.
It might work but you would have to take out at least the head leader and to get to that leader you would have to survive or finesse attacks from the rank-and-file until their morale breaks. I did not see any effort going into avoiding the fight with the lower ranks. I tried to show you what kind of opposition to expect in the Bodega fight. Physically powerful, somehow enhanced (Twitchy was described as being a clear foot taller than when you saw him last), very violent and decently equipped. I feel I failed here somehow.

Assuming we want the game to continue how should we move forward?
We can easily rewind the action as far back as desired. Even to the extent of restarting the game if that is what folks want.

I don't see it as failure...speaking for myself, I missed the warnings about the Slashers so wasn't even thinking if it would be a mistake to attack. I'd prefer to not reboot but if the current situation warrants it then you gotta do what'cha gotta do. One simple change would be that there were no slasher survivors of the bodega attack and therefore the Slashers won't have a reason to target us for retaliation.

For a pure role-playing viewpoint, Jud is always ready to rush in without thinking things through. Afterall, he's both Overconfident and Clueless. He's never going to be the voice of reason (but he hits like a ton of bricks - even if he rolls all 1's for his Attack dies he's doing 9 damage which has an AP of 4.).

I don't see it as failure...speaking for myself, I missed the warnings about the Slashers so wasn't even thinking if it would be a mistake to attack. I'd prefer to not reboot but if the current situation warrants it then you gotta do what'cha gotta do. One simple change would be that there were no slasher survivors of the bodega attack and therefore the Slashers won't have a reason to target us for retaliation.

Not entirely true. Baldy confirmed while you were all still in the bodega that there were a couple of lookouts. But I am quite willing to erase them from the story.

For a pure role-playing viewpoint, Jud is always ready to rush in without thinking things through. After all, he's both Overconfident and Clueless. He's never going to be the voice of reason (but he hits like a ton of bricks - even if he rolls all 1's for his Attack dies he's doing 9 damage which has an AP of 4.).

Yes anything Judd hits will likely go down. You are basically a small tank with range issues.