Four hundred and fifty plus years is a long time for a colony to be isolated. A lot of funny things happen to people when they are isolated from the rest of humanity for that long. What will become of these people?
Ziirkaa starts brainstorming alternative strategies with the captain.
Vathan steps up and puts the black (red) laser dot on a creature. He flips his selector to full auto and fires his accelerator rifle.
Can't remember the rules of autofire. I only remember that it targets a 2x2 square are. I'm going to roll to hit. Please advise, so I can learn for next time.
Holt watches in surprise as the mylthani tear into the beast. When she hears Ceres voice she comes back to reality saying "Montinegro is down with a massive chest wound. If she's alive, she needs immediate medical attention.".
Emboldened by the creatures retreat, Holt moves forward and takes aim at the fleeing creature and unleashing another shot.
Just to let you all know, I was travelling heavily 10/27 to 10/29, I'll be catching up on 10/30
Human GM
Yes, if you're using suppression fire, you'll need to make 3 additional to-hits on the lizards, and also three on the Mylthani. I assume you don't want to hit your allies. So burst fire at one lizard is probably better. BTW: burst fire on one of them tears it to bloody ribbons.
Map | Captain | Stamina 28/28 | Lifeblood 12/12 | AC 16/12/14 | Ref +3 Fort +2 Will +7 | Init +2 |
Round 5
"Roger that." Ceres replies over the radio. After a moments hesitation she makes a snap decision. I think I almost can see her!"Ziirkaa! Holt's group is just down the alley - run! Vathan! Finish these critters and get the mylthani over to Holts group, we'll rendezvous there. I'll be back asap."
She snapfires another burst towards the attacking beasts before heading down the alley with the doctor in tow.
To Hit:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Damage, 4 round burst:3d10 ⇒ (10, 3, 10) = 23
I moved Ziirkaa for round 5. Ceres will escort him about halfway then double back
Just to let you all know, I was travelling heavily 10/27 to 10/29, I'll be catching up on 10/30
Human GM
The last of the lizards in the north turn and flee.
Ziirkaa runs to the south, and goes to his knees in the crimson snow, his hands moving as he pulls his first aid kit to work on the female marine.
Out of combat, unless you want to start attacking each other.
The northern and southern Mylthani all look around, ears twitching, and then the northern group begins moving again, the wounded one between the other two, as if being protected.
To the south, the three Mylthani silently look at the downed marine, then each head bobs in unison four times, before they move back to the warehouse door. The one with the torch begins cutting, while the other two keep watch.
I think that first, we see if we can save the marine. Then we can all head north or try to communicate the plan about the APC.
Holt, still looking back where the huge creature retreated, tried to calm herself and to steady her ragged breaths. Seeing Ziirkaa, Holt drops a hand from her weapon and reaches into one of the pockets on her utility belt, retrieving a small vial and holding it towards the doctor. ”Here, take this. And w-what can I do to help?” she says with a desperate look in her eyes.
A dose of ‘medical drugs’. I have no medical skills…
Just to let you all know, I was travelling heavily 10/27 to 10/29, I'll be catching up on 10/30
Human GM
Ziirkaa ignores the drugs, his own field kit far more well stocked than Holt's vial of emergency stabilization drugs. "Make sure nothing bites me in the ass... again..." He says distractedly.
T/Medical:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23
Ziirkaa get's the bleeding stopped, and then the marine gets to her feat, retrieving her gun. "Thanks, not sure why that took me down so fast..." She says, her voice strained.
"The creature injected you with some poison when it's beak got in. Not sure what it does to the locals, but in a human, it interfered with the blood's ability to bind oxygen. Captain, I'd like samples from the juvenile birds, if you don't mind. Hopefully they'll have a sample of the poison. Could be useful to study."
Are the northern aliens moving on without us? Or joining the southern group?
Vathan follows the captain to the southern group. His eyes surveying the alien city for more danger. He arrives as Montinegro stands seeing his other marine down covered in blood. Behind Ceres, Vathan asks, "Doctor, what's the status?" His heart sticks in his throat knowing that he asked the captain to order the away team to stay together. The only reason his marines were apart was that they were following Holt who struck out on her own.
Just to let you all know, I was travelling heavily 10/27 to 10/29, I'll be catching up on 10/30
Human GM
They are moving on toward the nuclear facility
"She'll live, as long as she doesn't get any more of that garbage in her bloodstream. Stopped the blood binding with oxygen, which stopped her blood from coagulating, also robbed her body of the ability to convert oxygen to energy, that's why she hit the ground like a sack of bricks. Very deadly to humans. Probably just a minor inconvenience to the locals, given they got wounded and kept going."
Holt looks at Vathan confused. "What? I didn't... I saw the other Mylthani head off that way and I thought we were splitting up. They came with me and I just thought..."
Just to let you all know, I was travelling heavily 10/27 to 10/29, I'll be catching up on 10/30
Human GM
"Sir, standing regulation 84, section B. Command personnel are not to be allowed to enter unknown dangerous situations without security. Captain Viktoria did not object when Officer Holt accompanied the aliens. You did not object when we accompanied her, per regulations, Sir." The sir has a bit of spit behind it, although that could be attributed to the blood on her lips.
"Object? Object? I was not even aware that there were two groups after the captain specifically ordered us to stay together!" Vathan explodes.
He tries to calm down breathing hard while staring Holt. The accusation of so Holt, this marine's death is all on you sticks right behind his gritted teeth.
Vathan turns his glare to the marine with slight doubt in his eyes, "Montinegro, don't go there. I had point. My marines had flank. Orders were clear to stay together."
Just to let you all know, I was travelling heavily 10/27 to 10/29, I'll be catching up on 10/30
Human GM
"Sir, yes sir." She responds, but it's very obvious that she resents being made the butt of the issue. And she's not going to take a dive to cover Vathan's butt.
Holt is lost in thought again as the two marines get into it.
Is it my fault?... I need to focus more... I keep forgetting my rank and who I am supposed to be on these expeditions...
Holt holds back the feelings of disappointment in herself, trying to present a strong face as she says "Ok, that's enough. I'm the one who split off, and the one who didn't announce it. Throwing blame around isn't going to help anyone."
Holt faces Vathan to say "I'm sorry this happened. But there is nothing that we can do about it now and we still have a mission to complete. Fill out a report and I'll gladly serve whatever punishment our superiors decide that I deserve."
Map | Captain | Stamina 28/28 | Lifeblood 12/12 | AC 16/12/14 | Ref +3 Fort +2 Will +7 | Init +2 |
Ceres kept looking at the dead marine as the scene played out around her. It felt surreal, like one of the old war drama movies she'd seen when she was younger. With a sad shake of her head she blinked another tear away and looked up and around. Now was not the time to be lost in thought. It never really is, is it? With a practised steady voice she gathered her crew around her.
"All right. As commanding officer, the responsibility for any and all mistakes are mine. Including the failure of the chain of command or communication. For now, that is the end of it." She took a moment to let it sink in, and looked around to make sure they understood. "Now, we must do what we came for. Focus on the mission. Montinegro, I want you to set up a defensive perimeter around the Mylthani here. Ziirka, stay with her and watch her vitals. I don't want a relapse and I certainly don't want her to get another dose of that. At the first sign of hostiles, call in the APC for fire support. Holt, Vathan - you are on me. It seems as if our other mark has already decided to keep moving and we'll have to keep up. So, move it!"
So that all the NPCs are gathered somewhat safe in one place, and we can keep the PC (that are present) together!
Vathan nods to Ceres and readies his weapon with a audible sliding click. He stares at the dead marine for a few heartbeats and then Montinegro for a few more. As they move out, he avoids looking in Holt's direction for as long as possible keeping her in his peripheral vision. he does not trust his face to mask his emotions.
Just to let you all know, I was travelling heavily 10/27 to 10/29, I'll be catching up on 10/30
Human GM
Catching up with the Northern Mylthani, the group finds them using a cutting torch on a lock that's holding a door closed on the side of one of the buildings attached to the nuclear stack.
It doesn't take long for the torch to cut it's way through the door, and then the Mylthani are leapfrogging into the building.
The group would have trouble following, as the hallways are 3 ft high and wide.
The radio crackles. "HAH! Smart buggers! Whoever closed up the warehouse left an all terrain forklift in here, with the battery out and all the supplies to get it put back together again. Looks like they knew what was coming. One thing I noticed, I've not seen any bodies. It feels just like our own dead colony, like everyone knew it was coming, and got together somewhere. I'm getting a very unnerving sense of deja vu here. I hope we aren't seeing a pattern we'll be following for a long time, finding dead worlds." In the background of his voice, there's a sudden roar of an engine. "Be damned, fast buggers they are, they're loading up crates of frozen food and driving them out to the APC. May be a tight ride back. Montinegro's recovering nicely." Ziirkaa keeps the Captain informed of the southern progress.
Meanwhile, a nearby door begins to roll up, and there's a roar as a vehicle starts up. The Mylthani appear, driving a four wheel vehicle (well one is driving, two are riding with guns ready). On the back of it is a dozen large metal cannisters with lurid green symbols plastered all over them.
Map | Captain | Stamina 28/28 | Lifeblood 12/12 | AC 16/12/14 | Ref +3 Fort +2 Will +7 | Init +2 |
Ceres was used to crawling trough tight tunnels as it was frequently needed to service the space station back home. However, seeing as they would most certainly only slow the Mylthani down she elected to keep her group waiting outside.
Seeing the Mylthani return Ceres needed only to take a quick look at the symbols on the cannisters to see that they were successful. Yep - Not going to touch those... Picking up her radio she replies to the other group -
"Roger. We are making some progress here too."
Then she quickly switches channels and hails Annara.
"Can you ask if the Mylthani intends to make multiple runs between the power plant and the APC or if they got everything already?"
I assume the vehicle of theirs is not equipped to carry us too?
Just to let you all know, I was travelling heavily 10/27 to 10/29, I'll be catching up on 10/30
Human GM
Not really, you could jump on the sides and hold on though, there's a running board. It looks powerful enough to handle the mass. Just no where to sit on it.
Holt tries to avoid looking at anyone as they continue with the mission. She does her best to push things out of her mind, to concentrate on the mission. Keeping her rifle steady, she watches as the Mythani gather their materials.
Finally, as the Mythani load into their vehicles, Holt keeps her eyes out amongst the sky, ever watchful of more threats from more threats, watching with an almost hyper-alertness..
I can't let another instance like that happen... I'm second in command, one of the ones looked up to for stability... I HAVE to be dependable...Z I can't keep letting them down like that.
Just to let you all know, I was travelling heavily 10/27 to 10/29, I'll be catching up on 10/30
Human GM
The Mylthani drive the vehicle back to the APC, and drive it up the loading ramp, which looks overly large for their vehicle. There are already frost covered crates in the hold, dropped off by the southern group.
The group very carefully unloads the luridly labeled containers and stacks them up. Then they cover the containers with a thick heavy blanket that looks like it weighs more than the mylthani do. Even in a heavy wind, it doesn't flutter.
Physics or Engineering 15:
It's almost certainly a lead lined blanket.
Then the vehicle is started back up, and it begins to head off toward the nuclear facility again.
The southern group, meanwhile, unloads their vehicle again, and takes off for the warehouse, again.
"Fast little buggers, Captain. Looks like whoever closed up shop here did so in a very organized way, all the food looks like it's been stacked up in mixed pallats, rather than by type like I'd expect, as if someone expected it to be retrieved in a hurry and need to be mixed. Anyone else find it odd we haven't seen any Mylthani corpses? I keep expecting to see dead mylthani, frozen in place, but nothing..." Ziirkaa asks, sounding distracted.
Map | Captain | Stamina 28/28 | Lifeblood 12/12 | AC 16/12/14 | Ref +3 Fort +2 Will +7 | Init +2 |
Going with the hang around tactic I think. We are not of much use if we can't follow and protect the Mylthani
"Better not ask what's in their ration bar then ..." Ceres replies in jest to the Doctor.
T\Engineering:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31
"Bring out a Geiger counter and check those fuel canisters. Just a precaution, our definition of acceptable dose may vary greatly from theirs ..." she continues.
Just to let you all know, I was travelling heavily 10/27 to 10/29, I'll be catching up on 10/30
Human GM
There is a slight release from the cannisters, but the blanket is halting it. You'll want to avoid having them sit for too long, and you'll want to scrub it down with anti-rad foam when you get back to the ship, but it shouldn't be dangerous as long as you don't sit on them the entire trip.
Holt smiles faintly at Ziirkaa's commentary. Trying to focus, she begins to think about the missing corpses.
"Maybe the local wildlife took care of them? I would still think we'd find bones though... Or maybe they retreated early enough that they didn't leave anyone behind and have buried or cremated all of their dead. That whole psychic link thing has to help them know when others are in trouble, and would have probably given them a huge heads up that their environment was becoming too deadly."
Just to let you all know, I was travelling heavily 10/27 to 10/29, I'll be catching up on 10/30
Human GM
"My dear, please look at the size of the city. Even as small as they are, it must have held a half a million or so, probably a million. We counted less than a thousand survivors with sensors..."
Map | Captain | Stamina 28/28 | Lifeblood 12/12 | AC 16/12/14 | Ref +3 Fort +2 Will +7 | Init +2 |
With a nod Ceres rejoined the conversation again. At the very least, it kept her thoughts occupied. Away from radioactive cannisters and dead marines. Dam! I don't want to think about that ... Shaking her head to get the persistent and annoying thoughts out, she gives her own theory - "I don't think they would be capable of evacuating given their displayed tech-level and what Annara saw. Unless they hid something from her, now that is another disturbing thought ... Perhaps some retreated downwards, counting on geothermal heat and vast food supplies to keep a select few alive until the temperature rises again?"Or maybe they just stayed in their homes until they died ...
Holt nods at Ceres and says "I thought about that. Remember how Annara spoke of their group consciousness thing? They could have potentially become less... intelligent? creative?... I mean, yeah, we would hope to see evidence of such devices if they had them in the past... Yeah, it's a longshot, but I'm just thinking out loud..."
"It's possible that there could be lots of little settlements... but I would think if that were the case then they wouldn't be worried about sudden extinction... unless they are one of the few such bases left..."
Holt begins to think about the stadium full of bones, and briefly wonders if pockets of Mylthani suffered the same fate... or worse.
No, not right now. Focus Ophelia... now is not the time for daydreaming...
To calm herself Holt retrieves her pistol and begins checking the mechanisms for proper function, making sure that all of the cold and moisture wasn't affecting its operation.
Just to let you all know, I was travelling heavily 10/27 to 10/29, I'll be catching up on 10/30
Human GM
The Mylthani are very industrious once things get going.
They load another pile of radioactives on the ship, then put some more lead blankets over them. THree or four layers.
The rest of the cargo hold is filled up with food.
When they finish, the six look at each other in a circle, whiskers twitching and ears flickering.
When they finally move, all 6 move to draw in the snow. Three of them move to draw a picture in the snow of the continent. They draw in the stacks of the nuclear facility you are all near, and the warehouse. Then they draw in the main city you landed at with little eared faces. Then they draw the APC half-way between.
The three on the first picture draw one line between the city, the apc, and the landing town.
The three on the second picture draw three lines between the city and the apc, and another three between the apc and the landing town.
Then they look to the group, all standing in a line, three behind each drawing, and look expectant.
"I think they want us to make three loading trips with the APC. Though, I'm certainly not the scientific one of the crew." Vathan offers. "Either way, the way the APC is full. We have to return to Anara and unload anyway. Maybe she can confirm, or we can call her. Since they're all connected, she would be able to confirm real time, right?"
Just to let you all know, I was travelling heavily 10/27 to 10/29, I'll be catching up on 10/30
Human GM
From what you got before, they are too far away from each other to communicate right now. The locals can't communicate with the other group over this distance, thus why they haven't just requested translation.
The six look at each other, ears twitch, and then three dig into the packs and pull out small bits of tools and such, so they each have a tool in each hand. Then the other three walk up to the three holding bits, and one takes the thing from the left paw. The second takes the thing from the right paw. The third pushes both paws away.
Then the two who chose things put the things on the two drawings, and both hold up their paws in tandem, raising first the left, palm up, then the right, palm up.
Then all six move back again to look at the group expectantly. (those who had things in their hands put them in their pouches).
Map | Captain | Stamina 28/28 | Lifeblood 12/12 | AC 16/12/14 | Ref +3 Fort +2 Will +7 | Init +2 |
"All right. Your idea seams reasonable, and confirming via Annara will be easy. Let's get a move-on and ... try to make the next trip smoother."
Ceres motions for everyone to return to the APC so that they can deliver their first shipment. During the trip back she is tight lipped as she mules over the recent events in her mind - and trying to figure out how to prevent further casualties due to hostile wildlife.
Just to let you all know, I was travelling heavily 10/27 to 10/29, I'll be catching up on 10/30
Human GM
The Mylthani don't load into the APC, instead they point to the two drawings, three pointing to the single line drawing, three pointing to the three line drawing, and keep waiting.
They look mildly agitated (not hostile, just lost).
"Maybe the critters want to stay and pile up stuff here at the load site?" Vathan stops short of asking the smart guys to figure this out.
How long did it take the APC to travel here from there? Times two plus a bit for unloading, would be how long it would take the APC to go and return?
How long did it take the aliens to load the APC?
If those times align, I understand their plan. If not, I don't. Because Vathan wouldn't want to leave anyone here alone without the APC unprotected from the wildlife.
Ophelia looks for a moment, trying to puzzle this out, before saying "I think they want us to pick one. Either we all stay together to gather things and unload them back at the clan, or we split up and let them collect things. Maybe we just select which one we want to agree with? Captain?"
Just to let you all know, I was travelling heavily 10/27 to 10/29, I'll be catching up on 10/30
Human GM
It took about 90 minutes flight time, and about two hours to load up the APC.
Holt:
Now that Holt has twigged to the fact they are asking the humans to choose, she thinks maybe they are asking if there is to be one trip or multiple trips.
Vathan suggested that earlier. I was leaning that way as well before the whole tool ritual thing... We'll see how this goes.
Holt continues to look and says "Vathan, I think you were right the first time. Start simple, you know? Captain, how many times are we going to make this trip, if that is correct?"
Assuming that an answer is given...
Holt moves towards the creatures and points at the picture of the little colony, arcs her finger over to the picture of the plant, and arcs it back. She then looks back at the Mylthani and scratches one tick mark in the snow. She repeats this and makes a second tick mark.
Finally, looking into their faces she exaggerates a questioning or confused look while repeatedly shifting her arm back and forth from colony to facility, and then waving them over while gesturing at a clean spot in the snow.
Well Annara is being Annara, running ahead of the bell curve.
Just wanted her to be kind of freaky when they say just what she said.
In a kind of Clairvoyant way. hehe
Vannara says that she has vac suit familiarity. I remember when Vathan got that from merchant you took it away from him due to the setting. Did she keep it due to noble?
Humm odd, Your right Nobles do get it. The only thing the GM said no to was high passage, which she cot credits for in its place. Vacc suit proficiency has been on her sheet from the get go and nothing was said.
I think she would have defiantly have gotten basic training before going up to an old leaky space station for any length of time.
It's way I have her with a Vacc suit on her sheet.
Its just me but I think every one going up would do some form of basic.
but im not the GM, GMs game GMs setting and rules. :)
Just to let you all know, I was travelling heavily 10/27 to 10/29, I'll be catching up on 10/30
Human GM
You get the vacc suit feat, but, you may not have it at character start. So, Vathan and Annara have it, but they don't have access to it. I know, that's a bit confusing. Basically, they've had traditional training in them, but they haven't actually used them in actual space use. What this does is allow them to pick it up in game with a week or so of intense training (or two weeks of continuous use). The space station is old and leaky, but it's not that bad (other than the quadrant that's navy only).
So, they have the proficiency, but it doesn't kick in until they have some time to train on the suits in actual usage. I feel rather confident they'll have time for such training shortly. :)
Map | Captain | Stamina 28/28 | Lifeblood 12/12 | AC 16/12/14 | Ref +3 Fort +2 Will +7 | Init +2 |
Checking in!
Note: There is a small error in your Navy Ranks spoiler - Station Commander and precedence still refers to Captain.
Also - Ceres has been very quiet so far, but that is merely because she is currently just a grunt being ordered around. Not a mute, don't worry ^^
Lastly @mdt - do you want a list or something of requisitioned equipment, or will we get what the station can spare?
Useful things:
Suits
Food
Oxygen
Scanners
Comms
Extra Comms
Beacon
Camera
EM-thingy (to read emission, not sure about the proper word)
Geiger counter
Medkit /w anti rad
Blowtorch
Lots of cable and wire
Ducttape
Vethan & Gomez if you have snub class weapons + rounds Annara will ask you for them. Placing them under under lock and key, she will also tell you not to take any other fire arms. hidden or not. Up to you if you try to smuggle some thing on, but if your court she may have to make you stay
:(
Clothing:
Jump suit Ballistic weave AC+4
Vacc Suit + Helmet with Communicator [supplied]
Personal Watch, Wrist + Locater
10kg
Carrying Bag.
Belt case[Air tight/Water/Shock resistant]
PDI-Hand Computer [Computer/1] + Software.
Cold light Torch
Small First Aid Kit 5/5 + Medical Drugs (10 doses)
Spear clothing.
Small Multi-tool [Leather-man type]
Worn = 8.7 kg
* Flak Jacket (TL 7): AC 4/Max Dex +6/ACP 0/1 kg/Speed 9m/6m - 1 kg
* Wrist Watch: Price determines quality and functionality.
* Short Range Communicator (TL 7): radio capable of 10 km range (much shorter underground or underwater). Three separate channels. At tech level 7 reduce the weight to and it becomes hand-held.
Worn on belt bag
* Cold Light Lantern: A fuel cell powered version of the electric torch, but will last 3 days with continuous use. Produces a wide cone of light up to 1 8 meters away with a radius of 6 m at the end of the beam. Also capable of producing a tight beam of light up to 36 meters away with a 1 meter radius or be used to illuminate a 10 meter radius. - 0.25 kg
* Light-Intensifying Goggles (TL 7): Permits the user to see normally in anything less than total darkness by electronically ntensifying any available light. Range is 18 meters.
* (2) Breather Masks (TL 5): Combines the filter and respirator into a single package. - 2 kg
* Lock Pick Set: Allows picking of ordinary mechanical locks. Picking a lock takes 3 rounds and requires a successful T/Mechanical skill check (DC based on the type of lock). Lockpicks are illegal on worlds of law level 8+; on such worlds the cost rises to Cr100 or more. - 0.25 kg
* First Aid Kit (TL 7): +2 on T/medical - 250 g
* Medical Drugs (TL 8): (10 doses) Heals 3d6 Stamina, 1 d4 Lifeblood. If the Medical Drug is taken more than once in a 24-hour period there is a high risk of overdose. The user must make a Fortitude saving throw (DC20) or immediately fall unconscious (reduce Stamina to 0) and suffer 3d6 Lifeblood damage.
* Binoculars (TL 9): Allows the user to see further. At TL 8 electronic enhancement allows images to be captured; light intensification allows them to be used in the dark. 50x Magnification - 1 kg
* Long Range Communicator (TL 7): Back-pack mounted radio capable of ranges up to 500 km and contact with ships in orbit. Ten separate channels. At tech level 7 reduce the weight to 1.5 kg and it becomes belt mounted. - 1.5 kg
Stored in weapons locker = 9.5 kg
* Accelerator Rifle (TL 9): Designed specifically for zero-g combat, the accelerator rifle fires a specially designed round which upon leaving the barrel is accelerated by a secondary propelling charge. Normally the rifle fires bursts of three rounds per pull of the trigger, but may be adjusted to fire single rounds. RoF 1/3, Range 60 m, 1d12 (x2), Medium, Piercing, No recoil, Clip 15 rounds, 500g, Cr25 - 2.5 kg
- (200 Cr) with Telescopic Sight (TL 6): High quality telescopic sights for attachment to weapons, for increasing their accuracy, especially at longer ranges. A weapon equipped with such sights effectively doubles its normal range increment. Telescopic sights are delicate, however, and may be jarred out of alignment by any violent action (such as being left untended in a moving truck, a close explosion, or being dropped) on a basic check (DC 12). When the sights go out of adjustment, the basic throw to hit should not be revealed to the firer, and he or she will always miss.
* 4 magazines for accelerator rifle attached to rifle - 2 kg
* 10 magazines for accelerator rifle - 5 kg
Just to let you all know, I was travelling heavily 10/27 to 10/29, I'll be catching up on 10/30
Human GM
Man-portable toolkits are available.
Mechanical Tool Set: TL5, Cr1000. Includes basic tools
necessary to repair and alter mechanical devices. Required for the
use of the T/Mechanical skill without suffering a -2 circumstance
penalty.
Electronic Tool Set: TL7, Cr2000. Necessary tools for basic
electronic assembly and repair. Required for the use of the T/
Electronics skill without suffering a -2 circumstance penalty.
Use the Electronic Tool Set prices/stats for T/Computer, T/Sensors, T/Communications. Alternately, add 10% to the price and weight for any tool set in that list to cover another. So 2200 for an Electronic/Computer tool set (there's a lot of overlap).
A ship's boat would contain both a mechanical tool set, and a fully expanded electronic tool set.
MW versions are 1 tech level higher, and cost 3 times as much, but grant a +2 to repair or build checks.
Map | Captain | Stamina 28/28 | Lifeblood 12/12 | AC 16/12/14 | Ref +3 Fort +2 Will +7 | Init +2 |
Mkay ^^
T\Engineering is what is used to repair most of the advanced stuff on a spaceship - and that skill is the one that appears to be lacking in Toolkits. However, that might simply be because it is a 'large scale' skill - most uses assumes teams of engineers as opposed to a single one : )
@ Viktoria Ceres - I am assuming we have worked together before. I am assuming that you were the only other person excited to get the gravitic sensors back on line, because we can use the downcycles to make astronomical observations.
Indeed she was, but I don't know that yet. I have been in the dark in the basement.
I call her Commander because Lt. Commander is such a mouthful, and Commander is more flattering than Leutennant. Ziirkaa only cares about military protocol when it is convenient for Ziirkaa.
For example, Ziirkaa loves ranks. I don't need to remember the names of the intellectually inferior, I can just identify them by the marks on their outfits.
Map | Captain | Stamina 28/28 | Lifeblood 12/12 | AC 16/12/14 | Ref +3 Fort +2 Will +7 | Init +2 |
According to the table in the book, Ceres mustered out as O3 or Lt. Commander and I labelled her as such. Then mdt introduced more naval ranks, so I'm not sure what she actually is (except acting Captain) ^^
The planet is a bit backwarer, so it's done up it's own ranks. Ceres is a Lieutenant. Lieutenant Commanders are usually given a courtesy promotion in speech to Commander when spoken of semi formally (Tell Commander Ceres to have the shuttle prepped for launch), or informally they're called LC's (Tell the LC to get her butt in gear and secure that LZ!). Usually they are only called Lieutenant Commander during formal services (Councilor Lee, I'd like to present your pilot, Lieutenant Commander Ceres).
You can't attain a rank of Commodore or higher during prior history, for obvious reasons. Same goes for Jags. Semi-Formal : Tell Lieutenant Ceres to relieve Ensign Burnette. Informal : Tell Jag Ceres (or sometimes Jig) to get that damn shuttle off the ground! Formal : Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Ceres reporting for duty, Ma'am!
Just to let you all know, I was travelling heavily 10/27 to 10/29, I'll be catching up on 10/30
Human GM
While helping our last player with his character, some things became apparent.
The system makes a hash of clarifying Tech vs Craft. So, here's my take on it, and how it will work.
Tech is used to repair or build using parts. For example, let's take a car. If you take your car to the garage, and it needs a new engine, the mechanic doesn't sit down and start building an engine from ore. He orders an engine, and any other parts he needs. When it gets there, he assembles the engine and installs it in the car. This is T/Mechanical. By the same token, if you bring in your fully functional car, and tell him to trick it out with spoilers, NOS, and put a 457 Hemi in it, he doesn't go make all that stuff by hand. He orders kits, orders an alternator, a turbo charger, a hemi engine, a wiring harness, and so on. Then he assembles them and installs them in the car.
Now, if he calls the factory and orders a custom engine for your car, then a Craftsman sits down with a block of aluminum and designs out the engine, bores the cylinders, bores the mounting brackets, and so on. He has Crafted that engine from raw material (a block of aluminum).
So, in game, the difference between T/Mechanical and Craft/Metalsmithing is that the Metalsmith can smelt the ore, pour the metal in a mold, bore out the shafts, and so on to make the parts. The T/Mechanic can then take the part, add some more parts, and make a working car.
So, Craft/Gunsmithing would allow someone to build a gun from raw materials. T/Mechanical would allow someone to assemble pre-made parts into a gun.
So, why wouldn't you always take Craft instead of Technical? Because Craft requires a LOT of tools and raw materials, and you can't always craft all the parts without a foundry or die centre (for example, Craft/Electronics would require a multi-million dollar chip plant). You can do Tech/Electronics with a toolkit and parts.
If you want to adjust your skills in light of this, please feel free. The Navy doesn't really teach craft, they aren't interested in teaching people to build from scratch, they want tab A in slot B so that every recruit knows how that part fits in where. Crafting is more of a Professional skillset.
Just to let you all know, I was travelling heavily 10/27 to 10/29, I'll be catching up on 10/30
Human GM
@Captain Wombat:
You make the mistake of thinking that just because you have and can do both jobs, that everyone can.
You have both the craft and tech skill, so you can do both. However, the vast majority of mechanics could not work the C&C machine, nor even know what they needed to do with it. :) Nor could every gun shop owner bore the barrel out from bar stock, lathe the stock, build the trigger mechanism from raw metal sheets, etc.
What I'm saying is this, the game system is not a perfect replica of real life, it's a close approximation. Also, the Developers themselves contradicted themselves and made it hard to tell the difference between craft and tech in some places.
So, what I'm doing is giving my interpretation of how the system will work in this game. So, the mechanic who can diagnose and replace discreet parts (or the electronics person who can diagnose and remove and replace computer parts to fix a computer) is using only the Tech skill. Those who can create the parts from raw materials (no matter how advanced the tools may be) are using the Craft skill. Those who can do both are, of course, using both skills. Note that designing something new could use either skill, but the two approaches would be different. The assembler would design something using existing components off the shelf. The crafter would design new parts and put them together. The first would take much less time, but wouldn't be as highly customized.
In other words, X-BOX 360 was assembled, PS3 was crafted. :)
Not how it works, the bunks include straps. The way it works is, the room belongs to person A for 12 hours, and person B for 12 hours. These two are always on different shifts. There's 3 shifts per 24 hours on the ship. Alpha shift, Beta shift, and Delta Shift. Traditionally, Delta shift is the 'late night' shift. Alpha is day, and Beta evening. So you're not sleeping in the room at the same time. So each person get's 8 hours of sleep and four ours of private time in the room away from others, to keep people from going insane.
Got you GM,
There are 16 Crew
and 8 beds, that's two per bed,
EDIT--
Room 11a - Lady Annara and Captain Ceres
Room 11b - Doctor / Vathan
Room 6a - Fernán / ?
Room 6b - ?/?
Room 6c - ?/?
Room 6d - ?/?
Room 6e - ?/?
Room 6f - ?/?
That makes sense to me. I assume I will be hot-bunking with 1 or 2 gig crew. Honestly, the Dr doesn't care where he is put. You could strap him on the outside in a vac suit, as long as he gets to go... ;)
You make the mistake of thinking that just because you have and can do both jobs, that everyone can.
I did make clear it was part of my training, I'm not the only one, I have workmates just the same as me. Trust me unless your doing very basic training you lean the craft and move up to technical.
mdt wrote:
You have both the craft and tech skill, so you can do both. However, the vast majority of mechanics could not work the C&C machine, nor even know what they needed to do with it. :) Nor could every gun shop owner bore the barrel out from bar stock, lathe the stock, build the trigger mechanism from raw metal sheets, etc.
Your thinking Car and plane mechanics not Engineering mechanics. In light and heavy mechanical Engineering, the majority fabrication Engineering, any one with a apprenticeship knows the craft.
mdt wrote:
What I'm saying is this, the game system is not a perfect replica of real life, it's a close approximation.
That's true of all RPG systems.
mdt wrote:
Also, the Developers themselves contradicted themselves and made it hard to tell the difference between craft and tech in some places.
No you mixed two systems, Pathfinder and traveller.
Pathfinder is a skill set for pre-industrial revolution worlds.
Traveller: is made of pre-industrial revolution and post industrial revolution worlds stellar community. Where a PC from a low level world may not get high level tech skills, but can go out to other higher tech places and get them.
What I am saying is that Tech level moves Craft Skill into Tech/Kno Skills so that what you say next is right in I think a way to deal with this.
mdt wrote:
So, what I'm doing is giving my interpretation of how the system will work in this game. So, the mechanic who can diagnose and replace discreet parts (or the electronics person who can diagnose and remove and replace computer parts to fix a computer) is using only the Tech skill. Those who can create the parts from raw materials (no matter how advanced the tools may be) are using the Craft skill. Those who can do both are, of course, using both skills. Note that designing something new could use either skill, but the two approaches would be different. The assembler would design something using existing components off the shelf. The crafter would design new parts and put them together. The first would take much less time, but wouldn't be as highly customized.
In other words, X-BOX 360 was assembled, PS3 was crafted. :)
I think we are missing out how ever Profession.
Lets take someone who makes Cloths.
Pathfinder TL5
Craft -> Clothing [You can make clothing]
And
Kno Nobility / Religion [You know what clothing to ware]
And
Profession -> [Seamstress] [You can make money selling Clothing]
now lets look at Traveller
Traveller
T/Fashion Designer [You know what Fashion is, what to ware, you can design. make, sell clothing and know the manufacturing processes for the faction industry]
I think to simply the whole thing just dump Craft, Knowledge and Profession into one skill, no ones from a TL5/6 world.
List/Convert all making tech skills into
[Wis/Int] T/what ever TL[n]*
Allowing academic to swap out wis for Edu.
Being the max TL stuff you can do with that skill.
So gunsmith TL5 would be a lot different from Gunsmith TL11
Sorry, I thought you where asking for player feed back and ideas on the whole skills thing. I did not mean to enter an argument with you GM. I was offering up a suggestion that was all. If I have over stepped some line I am sorry. That was not my intent at all. I was genuinely seeking to offer up ideas and nothing more.
Just to let you all know, I was travelling heavily 10/27 to 10/29, I'll be catching up on 10/30
Human GM
Captain Wombat:
No, my apologies. Just really tired right now. I think my blood sugar is low. :) Sorry about that. I did ask people to point out obvious errors. :) But I think the rules as posted will work, and make more sense, cause otherwise there'd never be any reason to take craft skills. You could use Tech/Computer to make art and claim it was programming the computer to do it using cad software. :)
Thats ok, GM im the same some times, and I did go on about, sometimes I can be really anal about stuff. Have to keep an eye that, just tell me im braking "Wheaton's LAW of gaming" and ill stop hehe.
Map | Captain | Stamina 28/28 | Lifeblood 12/12 | AC 16/12/14 | Ref +3 Fort +2 Will +7 | Init +2 |
We have 4 probes.
1 will be used to test the waters so to speak, and give us initial intel. Best case would be if this could be dropped so that it could scan before we entered our window.
Send one to get a closer look at the damage, see what took it out... space forensics
See if we can find a boat bay, if it is a large warship, it's likely to have subcraft we may be able to salvage.
Send out 2 on the "test the waters" mission, and send them in different directions... "Let's split up, we can do more damage that way." Seriously that would let all our tech people divide into groups and make separate searching rolls to find something interesting. Downside... we might find 2 interesting things....
I really think we should try to establish a link and get the computers running if we can. May need to power them from the Dawn.
Stamina 26/26 | Lifeblood 12/12 | Init +6 | AC17 T14 FF13 | BAB +2 | F +4 R +7 W +3 | Perc +7
Oh, I didn't get that from the description. Still, it would be somewhere between suicidal and stupid to try and board that thing. Which doesn't mean someone won't try...
Map | Captain | Stamina 28/28 | Lifeblood 12/12 | AC 16/12/14 | Ref +3 Fort +2 Will +7 | Init +2 |
Yes, that makes sense Counsellor :P
From the description, my understanding is that the sides are all irradiated, but perhaps the rear is not. Which would make sense, since it would be sheltered by the rest of the ship from a burst.
However, since the ship is moving faster then the shuttle - an attempted landing would be extremely difficult.
What we could do, if we are feeling adventurous - is to release some people in a slingshot manoeuvre just as we pass the rear, swinging them up and behind the ship. They would then have to carry something to propel themselves off the wreck when they are done, taking great care to launch themselves backwards of the ship into the trailing shuttle.
This all depends on our fuel stores and that the difference in velocity isn't that great.
What. Do you think about us all the crew suiting up, Vacc suits wile in our ship. This could give another lever of rad protection.
Wile on the trip Annara was acting as you expect a noble to. A little aloof from the crew.
She seems to be in control of herself at all times, reserved even.
Stiff upper lip and all that, what what. :0)
Lady Annara is going to put on her Vacc suit on and order her team do the same.
It may be overkill, but I don't see a problem with her and the others doing this a added protection and precaution for duration. Helmets will be off, but carried. Her thinking is a second layer of rad protection wile on their ship is a really good idea right now. And It will only be for the 6 to 8 hours they are talking readings. Its not as if they will be going out side the ship, but a radiation spike well, like I said the more shielding the better.
