GM Tarondor's Secrets of the Ancients - Traveller

Game Master Tarondor

All hell breaks loose as thugs convene on the doorways and begin to open fire.

Orange Snub Pistol v. Zirelle (w/ cover and extreme range): 2d6 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (1, 6) + 1 - 2 - 4 = 23d6 - 3 ⇒ (1, 2, 4) - 3 = 4
Purple Stunner v. Linc (w/ cover): 2d6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (1, 4) + 1 - 2 = 42d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 6) + 3 = 13
Pink Snub Pistol v. Ben (w/ cover and extreme range): 2d6 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (5, 5) + 1 - 2 - 4 = 53d6 - 3 ⇒ (3, 5, 2) - 3 = 7

Ben Recon: 2d6 - 1 - 3 ⇒ (2, 4) - 1 - 3 = 2
Erryll Recon: 2d6 + 0 - 3 ⇒ (3, 5) + 0 - 3 = 5
Linc Recon: 2d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4, 2) + 2 + 1 = 9
Malaxius Recon: 2d6 + 0 - 3 ⇒ (6, 4) + 0 - 3 = 7
Nicholas Recon: 2d6 - 1 - 3 ⇒ (1, 4) - 1 - 3 = 1
Zirelle Recon: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 5) + 1 = 11

Pings and zaps echo in the large chamber, but nobody is hit because of the short range of the weapons and the long range of engagement.

STATUS, ROUND 1
Ben -
Erryll -
Linc -
Malaxius -
Nicholas -
Zirrelle -
Red - Stunned (12 stun)
Orange -
Purple -
Pink -

Everyone, go!

just to be clear on the rules: shouldn't it be just -1 for the sickness on Mals Recon? He has Recon0, so it shouldn't count as untrained. Or is there another source for this malus?
For a few seconds Malaxius seems almost hypnotized by the effect his weapon has - he stares at it, almost as if he were afraid of it. When the shooting starts, he emits an almost comically high shriek, turns around, kneels his shoulder pressed at the wall right next to the doorway to get some cover and shoots his stunner at the guy that tried to stun Linc (purple):

dex+guncombat-sickness: 2d6 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (3, 1) + 1 + 1 - 1 = 5
dmg if hit: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10

I didn't shoot anyone last round, but just want to make sure I am calculating things right in terms of range. My stunner is the the 10 meter range version, not the 5 meter one. Not clear on square sizes in Traveler, but I am used to Pathfinder with 5 foot squares, and so 5 meters is about 16 feet, which would be 3 squares on the board, and a 10 meter range is about 6 squares on the board... just want to make sure I know how far I can shoot with a variety of weapons. That is what I am going with in terms of taking my turn, but let me know if I get anything wrong. And in terms of movement, looks like humans move about 6 meters, so about 4 squares for a single movement, and a total of 12 if you use your entire round (minor action plus 2 minor actions in place of your significant action). Do I have that right?

Zirelle zip ties Red and then starts south, seeing that Pink is going to make a break for the shotgun. She can't get there first, but maybe she can get closer so she can take him down before he does too much damage.

just to be clear on the rules: shouldn't it be just -1 for the sickness on Mals Recon? He has Recon0, so it shouldn't count as untrained. Or is there another source for this malus?

I'm looking at Malaxius's character sheet right now and I don't see Recon 0 (or any Recon) listed. So I gave him the -3 for being untrained. I forgot about the -1 for space sickness.

I didn't shoot anyone last round, but just want to make sure I am calculating things right in terms of range. My stunner is the the 10 meter range version, not the 5 meter one.

Okay, noted. These guys do not have your fancy TL 12 stunner and their range is 5m.

Not clear on square sizes in Traveler, but I am used to Pathfinder with 5 foot squares, and so 5 meters is about 16 feet, which would be 3 squares on the board, and a 10 meter range is about 6 squares on the board... just want to make sure I know how far I can shoot with a variety of weapons.

Traveller combat is generally assumed to be "theater of the mind" and the rules don't address the use of combat maps. But the default assumption going back to the '70's is that 1 square is 1.5 meters (or about 5'). So, yeah. A 10 meter range means 6.67 squares, so round up to 7 squares. Note that you can fire past the weapon's range, but you take a -4 to hit.

That is what I am going with in terms of taking my turn, but let me know if I get anything wrong. And in terms of movement, looks like humans move about 6 meters, so about 4 squares for a single movement, and a total of 12 if you use your entire round (minor action plus 2 minor actions in place of your significant action). Do I have that right?

Yes Ma'am, you do.

Malaxius Harvel wrote:

just to be clear on the rules: shouldn't it be just -1 for the sickness on Mals Recon? He has Recon0, so it shouldn't count as untrained. Or is there another source for this malus?

I'm looking at Malaxius's character sheet right now and I don't see Recon 0 (or any Recon) listed. So I gave him the -3 for being untrained. I forgot about the -1 for space sickness.

Thats a copy and paste from my list of skills in the profile:

It's the second entry. It's one of the free service skills for a field researcher.[/ooc]

Well, shit. I may need new glasses. In that case Malaxius has also spotted the shotgun.

It would help me a lot if you alphabetized those skills!

no problem. Just wanted to be sure, I understood, how things work. I'll sort them alphabetically.

Linc pops around the corner of the doorway and takes a snapshot at the Purple dude in cover (past the other doorway) with his Laser Carbine. The bright yellow laser pulse lanced out...
Gun combat (Energy)+Dx: 2d6 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (2, 4) + 2 + 1 - 2 = 7 for a possible 4d6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 6, 1, 6) + 3 = 21 laser energy damage.
Popping back into cover, Linc shouts out. "Not too late to surrender pirate boy!"

Then he paused. Say, is this place sturdy enough to not be exposed to explosive vacuum by laser energy? He wondered to himself, looking around uneasily at the walls and structural members.
Survival+Int: 2d6 + 0 + 2 ⇒ (5, 3) + 0 + 2 = 10
Recon+Int: 2d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3, 5) + 1 + 2 = 11

Nic is bothered by all the scattered targets around him, then eyes darting around glancing for cover and failing. After Linc fires Nic moves into the best range for his weapon and fires on man behind them(Purple).

This better work I'm wide open but on death ground attack - wonder who wrote that?

Gun Combat(Energy) 1, DEX +1: 2d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1, 6) + 1 + 1 = 9 Nic shoots the target.

If hit: Stunner(TL 10) Damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2) + 3 = 6

Ben fires at the one he sees!

I believe I see the pink one to the SW.

Laser Pistol: 2d6 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (6, 3) + 2 - 4 = 7

Laser Pistol Damage: 3d6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 3, 2) + 3 = 13

Someday I will learn to fire a gun or swing a sword or something.

Shots continue in the chaotic melee, but with range and cover, nobody is hitting anything but the walls...

Anyone, give me orders for Erryll.

ERRYL REYVAN II

Erryl, popped up and fired his stunner at Mr. Pink (in cover).
Stunner shot: 2d6 + 1 + 0 - 2 ⇒ (5, 3) + 1 + 0 - 2 = 7 for a possible 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 5) + 3 = 10 stun damage.

Nic glances down at his weapon wondering how he missed that shot at 3 meters, sure that it was well aimed. His ears also note the soft whistle of escaping air from the hole Linc's laser punched into the side of the relatively fragile cargo container. The thought Have to patch that soon. runs through his brain, followed by Stop woolgathering shoot him!

Gun Combat(Energy) 1, DEX +1: 2d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4, 3) + 1 + 1 = 9 Nic shoots at the target, again.

If hit: Stunner(TL 10) Damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 3) + 3 = 11

Nic, you just went. It's not your turn yet! Bad guys get to go first!

Zirelle, you could have moved further if you wish. You can move 6 meters three times if you take no Significant Action. 18 meters is 12 squares and you only moved 4. You could have moved to the shotgun if that was your goal. Do you want to do that? So far as I can see you've only taken one Minor Action.

Actions in Combat pp. 71-72.

Sorry I misinterpreted your earlier post as the round was over. I'll not be so eager in the future and await a explicit post. If applicable, the post can stand assuming Nic isn't incapacitated.

Sorry, I thought that zip tying Red took a significant action, but if it doesn't, then I absolutely want to go for the gun.

Sigh. My reading skills have failed me again. You did say that. Never mind. Zip tying is definitely a significant action.

Orange Snub Pistol v. Zirelle (w/ extreme range): 2d6 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (1, 5) + 1 - 4 = 33d6 - 3 ⇒ (5, 3, 3) - 3 = 8
Purple Stunner v. Nicholas: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 4) + 1 = 92d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3) + 3 = 9

One man (PINK) runs to the shotgun and pulls it off the wall, a wild look in his eyes. Another (ORANGE) fires his snub pistol at Zirelle, but misses by a mile. The third (PURPLE) fires his stunner directly into Nicholas's chest and puts 50,000 volts into him! Nic drops like a sack of potatoes!

STATUS, ROUND 2
Ben -
Erryll -
Linc -
Malaxius -
Nicholas - Stunned (10 stun)
Zirrelle -
Red - Stunned (12 stun), bound
Orange -
Purple -
Pink - I has a shotgun!

Nic, you're out of the fight for a bit.
Everyone else, go!

"Whatever you do, DON'T HIT THE WALLS!" Bellowed Linc as he slapped his laser carbine onto his back (which folded up like in Mass Effect), drew his monocrys navy cutlass, wished he had trained harder for melee, and ran around Nicolas's collapsed body to hack at Mr. Purple. "Heeyyyaaaah!"

Cutlass melee attack: 2d6 + 0 + 1 ⇒ (6, 4) + 0 + 1 = 11 for a possible 3d6 + 0 ⇒ (3, 5, 5) + 0 = 13 melee damage.

Team: I have ZERO idea how I didin't see this get updated, so sorry. Erryll has a Laser Pistol and will fire at anyone who shoots at the group. Not sure who is next ...

Zirelle uses all of her movement (triple move) to go south up the stairs and then ducks into a little room. She wants to avoid getting shot by pink and then hopefully surprise him next turn.

Malaxius follows Linc, his stunner ready and shoots at purple, if he is still standing after the melee assault (I suspect he is not).
If purple isn't a threat anymore, he takes a look at Nic, if he can help him somehow:

medic+int-sickness: 2d6 + 1 + 0 - 1 ⇒ (6, 1) + 1 + 0 - 1 = 7
I have a basic medkit, if that can do anything here

Linc slashes at PURPLE with his trusty cutlass and the blade slices through the man's thick cloth armor, leaving him a nasty cut along his bicep. The man screams and drops the stunner, trying to stop the bleeding.

Zirrelle ducks into a nearby storeroom, out of sight.

Malaxius, you can't really do anything for Linc in middle of battle if he's up and moving around.

Ben, Erryll and Malaxius, go!

STATUS, ROUND 2
Ben -
Erryll -
Linc -
Malaxius -
Nicholas - Stunned (10 stun)
Zirrelle -
Red - Stunned (12 stun), bound
Orange -
Purple - Serious Injury (-7 END, -4 STR), dropped weapon
Pink - I has a shotgun!

I wanted to help Nicholas, who is unconcious and on the ground as far as I know.

Ben and Erryll?

Ben and Erryll?

Is the guy next to Erryll stunned?

Ben stays crouched for cover and fires another shot at the man with a shotgun.

Stay defensive and fire at Pink.

Dex-No Skill: 2d6 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (4, 5) + 2 - 4 = 7

Laser Pistol Damage: 3d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 6, 4) + 3 = 16

Wow...two 7s in a row...So close. So far.

Traveller Referee Tarondor wrote:

Ben and Erryll?

Is the guy next to Erryll stunned?

He's outlined in red and the status shows red as stunned, so yes.

Ben: You can take a Minor Action to Aim... giving you a +1 to hit. (pg. 71). I'll assume you did that since you took no other Minor Actions.

Ben fires carefully and hits the man with the shotgun center-mass. He spins around and drops to one knee, his abdomen badly scorched by laser fire, but he holds onto the shotgun and remains conscious.

STATUS, ROUND 2
Ben -
Erryll -
Linc -
Malaxius -
Nicholas - Stunned (10 stun)
Zirrelle -
Red - Stunned (12 stun), bound
Orange -
Purple - Serious Injury (-7 END, -4 STR), dropped weapon
Pink - Serious Injury (-7 END, -4 STR), I has a shotgun!

Anyone, give me orders for Erryll.

Erryll moves from his cover behind the boxes to cover to the west, crouching below the lip of the sunken cargo area, getting in position to get a clear shot at pink.

Erryll moves from his cover behind the boxes to cover to the west, crouching below the lip of the sunken cargo area, getting in position to get a clear shot at pink.

Cool, did you move him?

Now I did.

I suppose my med-check on Nicholas was unsuccessfull? Mal has no idea, how he could help him?

I suppose my med-check on Nicholas was unsuccessfull? Mal has no idea, how he could help him?

Sorry, Malaxius, I did forget to comment on that. Page 60 tells us that applying First Aid takes 1 minute. Combat is moving too fast for that to be effective DURING combat. Malaxius can certainly see how to help Nicholas, but it's going to take a bit of time.

Erryll Laser Pistol+DEX: 2d6 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (1, 2) + 1 - 1 = 33d6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 4, 4) + 3 = 13

Erryll fires his laser pistol at PINK, but seeing the huge gun barrel pointing at him shakes his nerves and he blasts the wall besides Pink's head.

PURPLE backs away from Linc and raises his hands. "I'm out, man! I'm out! Be cool!" he yells.

ORANGE dares to move from cover. He hustles forward, spots Ben and fires his snub pistol. Seeing Orange suddenly appear, Ben dodges but the blast nonetheless catches him squarely in the chest!

PINK, barely on his feet, fires that shotgun at Erryll, but his bloody hand slips on the stock and the blast pellets embeds themselves in the ceiling.

Orange snub pistol v. Ben: 2d6 + 1 + 0 ⇒ (6, 5) + 1 + 0 = 123d6 - 3 ⇒ (4, 6, 5) - 3 = 12
Pink shotgun v. Erryll in cover: 2d6 + 0 - 2 ⇒ (1, 4) + 0 - 2 = 34d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 3, 1) = 11

Purple's Math: The hit of 12 exceeds the Target of 8 by 4. This is the Effect. Ben's dodge reduces the Effect to 2. This means Ben takes 14 damage! Ben is wearing a Vacc Suit which absorbs 10 of that, leaving 4. This is subtracted from his END (which started at a 5). Ben is hurt, but not seriously injured. Because he dodged, he will suffer a -1 DM on his next action.

STATUS, ROUND 3
Ben - -4 END, -1 DM this round.
Erryll -
Linc -
Malaxius -
Nicholas - Stunned (10 stun)
Zirrelle -
Red - Stunned (12 stun), bound
Orange -
Purple - Serious Injury (-7 END, -4 STR), dropped weapon, attempting to surrender
Pink - Serious Injury (-7 END, -4 STR), I has a shotgun!

Everyone, go!

@PINK - "Seriously man? You missed ... with a shotgun. Know why? 'cause you're dying. I can help you, I'm a doctor. Surrender."

Linc stared hard at Purple, hesitating, then nodded.
"Accepted." He said tersely.
He then duct taped Purple to the bulkhead.
"Grab his stunner!" He barked at Malaxius as he did so.

Malaxius was still looking at Nic, almost as if he were paralysed himself. But Lincs commanding voice gets him moving again. He puts his own stunner away and grabs Purple's stunner. Then he moves back to the doorway, trying to stay in cover and peeking around the corner at the same time.

Ben gasps in pain as he is shot and is certain he sees the light. He sends another wild blast at the man who shot him before staggering back into the elevator for cover. As he leans against the wall he calls out to Evindyl, "Don't bother helping them! Help me...I am dying here too you know!"

Laser Pistol attack in that general direction, -1 DM and no skill: 2d6 + 2 - 1 - 4 ⇒ (5, 6) + 2 - 1 - 4 = 8

Theoretical damage if I roll boxcars: 3d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4, 6) + 3 = 16

Holy cow....apparently, I did not actually need boxcars to hit maybe. If possible, I wedge into the corner there to not be easy to see. I really need to visit the target range someday.

Zirelle starts to move out to take out pink, but hears Erryll trying to talk him down, and also sees Orange out that way.

She ducks back in the room, holsters her stunner and takes out her accelerator rifle, assembling it with practiced hands.

Moving to door and back and holstering weapon I am counting as a minor action. If I need to drop the stunner instead so it doesn't count as an action all on its own or something, I can do that instead, but since I only moved two squares, I thought I might be able to fit it into that move. Significant action is getting out my rifle and making sure it is ready to use.

Ben gasps in pain as he is shot and is certain he sees the light. He sends another wild blast at the man who shot him before staggering back into the elevator for cover. As he leans against the wall he calls out to Evindyl, "Don't bother helping them! Help me...I am dying here too you know!"

[dice=Laser Pistol attack in that general direction, -1 DM and no skill]2d6+2-1-4

[dice=Theoretical damage if I roll boxcars]3d6+3

Holy cow....apparently, I did not actually need boxcars to hit maybe. If possible, I wedge into the corner there to not be easy to see. I really need to visit the target range someday.

"Hold on! I'll be right there!

Is it possible for Erryll to get all the way to Ben, going back the way he came past RED so that he has cover some of the time? Not sure if there is something like running in PF1&2 ...

Erryll, if you want Pink to surrender, give me Persuade+SOC roll. If instead to want to run to Ben's aid, yes, you can try to stay in cover as you go. But you can only do one of those. Pick one, please!

Moving to door and back and holstering weapon I am counting as a minor action.

That's completely reasonable.

If I need to drop the stunner instead so it doesn't count as an action all on its own or something, I can do that instead, but since I only moved two squares, I thought I might be able to fit it into that move. Significant action is getting out my rifle and making sure it is ready to use.

Holy carp! Okay, reminder that an accelerator rifle and a cargo container in space is a very dangerous combination.

Erryll, if you want Pink to surrender, give me Persuade+SOC roll. If instead to want to run to Ben's aid, yes, you can try to stay in cover as you go. But you can only do one of those. Pick one, please!

Persuade+SOC: 2d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4, 1) + 1 + 2 = 8

Linc and Malaxius secure PURPLE, who winces at the pain, but doesn't resist.

Ben's shot is well-aimed but the shot hits the wall. Cover raised the difficulty.

Meanwhile, Zirelle is just done with the fight and breaks out some serious firepower. Nic continues to spasm on the deck.

PINK looks at Erryll, looks at the blood on his hands and snarls "Fine! Fine." He throws down the shotgun. "#@$! that hurts! You'd better be a real doctor, man. Like, you ain't no veterinarian or nothing, right?"

"%&@!" mutters ORANGE as he sprints for the back of the container. What's he got back there?

Everyone go!

Erryll's pointed ears twitch and grow just a touch redder ... "It would seem that your sense of humour isn't injured, follow me!

He motions to the man to follow him towards Ben.

With her rifle ready, Zirelle feels confident that she can shoot just about any distance in this little tub, but she also doesn't want to get hurt herself, so she goes down the stairs again, keeping low to take advantage of the cover of the lower cargo area. She moves forward until she sees orange and then she visually tries to line up a shot that won't hit the outside wall of the container.

Takes triple movement to get orange in sight again, unfortunately. The shot from the other way was a lot safer since there was an internal wall behind him.

Ben tries not to bleed out from his grievous wounds.

I am going to just hang out in the elevator for the moment.

Malaxius moves through the big room and asks Eryll: you need some help with this one?
Depending on the answer he will help him to subdue orange while he tries to save the two or follow Zirelle, if Erryll needs no help.

Linc double moved out of the side rooms, down into the dock, and starts cutting across station South.