Daniel Rainwater's page

Thanks for the dip back into GURPS. It had been way too long. I was surprised how slow the rules were coming back to me. I liked the world very much and had grand plans for Daniel, which is part of the fun of the game.

If you ever decide to pick back up and run a GURPS game please keep me in mind.

Glad to have you back with the living and ready to move forward. :)

I leave for a week of skiing next Tuesday so my posting might be slow until the following Tuesday.

I understand. I think we all go through our ups and downs. Get well and come back when its enjoyable.

Daniel pales a little at this suggestion. I'll be no part of that. We know noting of the man they might send to retrieve the armor.

Daniel nods and helps transport Jacob. After he plans to bury the bodies of the knights in shallow graves in their armor. Any help would be welcome. he says.

Anything else of note on the bodies? Other weapons? coin?

Hmm. Lost a post here somewhere somehow. grr. Will try to recreate most of it.

Daniel works on the armor taking pointers for Calia and asks This is pretty nice armor.
Can you tell what the enchantments are on it? I was thinking, instead of lugging it around, what do you think about Brona wearing it? Can we adjust the straps to fit her?

Exactly. Part of what I was trying to portray when Daniel reacted in shock and outrage when a "knight" so callously shot Jacob just for standing up. No knightly code there and Daniel wanted to believe knights would have knightly codes.

I agree with most of this. Lets not forget that we are in foreign but neutral territory at the moment and are NOT in enemy territory. The locals are not friendly to the empire. How we act could change that and make them hostile to us though. My hope is that standing up for the boys and preventing their capture will win us local points.

As far as Daniel goes, I am not sure he has ever killed anyone up close and personal like. So it makes sense that he hesitated to kill an unconscious person. He likely would have gotten around to it, but its not gonna ever be an easy thing for Daniel.

Perception DC12: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 1) = 6

Yes, we must set up a heavy watch and be prepared for for others to come looking for them. I don't think these knights are well liked here, and since we did just save the local kids perhaps the locals will help us, or at least warn us of trouble comes. Call, can you talk with them?

Daniel pales as Bronna kills the unconscious man, but just a little. His left hand goes to his medicine bag by instinct. Yes. he agrees. That needed to be done. Relaxing some now that the knight was not going to wake up at any moment Daniel turns to Calia responding. I shot at him twice. Hit him both times but I think I got lucky with the last burst and hit him with all three rounds. That is good armor though it mostly protected him. Only one round really went through well. Must have hit a tinder spot. Were you injured in your fight? he asks.

Daniel looks up with relief as Calia enters. Is he too dangerous to take hostage? Or is he worth nothing to us? Daniel asks, unsure if the group would be better off with the knight dead. He shot Jacob just for standing up. Hit him 3 or 4 times with this beast of a crossbow before we could even react. If you have any healing magic at all I know Jacob would be most grateful...

Int of 11: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 6) = 12

After removing every conceivable weapon and anything that might be used to do magic Daniel secures the knights limbs and then considers how he might take off the armor. He will start with any helm and pieces like gloves and boots before tackling the more complex pieces.

Note that Daniel has at least been wearing local armor so its not totally foreign to him.

Nodding to Dawn, Daniel replies On it. as he continues to strip and secure the knight. Overconfident fool. What did he think would happen when he opened up on our CO. he says to himself. I've half a mind to put a round into his brain pan just to be sure.

Would Daniel have any idea about how long he expects this guy to be out?

Note that the bolts are vaporizing and disappearing.

After seeing the enemy go down Daniel runs to him and begins to disarm him, starting with that deadly crossbow.

Having aimed last round Dainiel fires another burst from his Submachine gun.

Submachine Gun, Skill 15: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 1) = 4

Damage is 4d+1, Acc is 4, range 180/1900 RoF is 15,bulk -3, Recoil is 2

For now simpler is better. I thought I was clear.

I am in favor of encounters to teach the rules initially. Throwing in deadly high challenge encounters as we learn seems like a good way to not enjoy the game. An initial set of less complex rules would be great. I still have lots of questions and plan to read all the rules again.

Daniel takes cover this round. If he can he will do so an aim.

How much cover does he get from crouching versus using the round to take cover?

I am sorta in the same boat, experience wise. I swear I one tim3e I was proficient a these rules.

Now our numbers should begin to make a difference, I hope.

Already rolled my attack roll. Would like to keep it. Need help resolving the fire and damage.

Weapon ready Daniel fires a burst at the crossbowman as he moves to take some cover.

Hmm. Our pistol shooter only shot once... We gotta learn the rules better as a group.

And I had forgotten we were at an Inn on the side of the road. I keep thinking we were in an inn in the last town.

I was honestly surprised that the guy shot Jacob for just standing up. And not just shot him but shot him like 4 times shooting to kill. Caught me off guard and Jacob was not even attacking. By all rights he is a criminal. Not knightly behavior in any sense of any code I have ever heard of. Hard to imagine this place, which is quite a large and sophisticated town, almost a city state, would not try to enforce law better than to allow this. I know he has not gotten away with it yet, but to me that was beyond brash.

I did not recall that readying a weapon was in effect a "full round" action in GURPS. Is there a quick draw type advantage? Could we have drawn a pistol under table in advance?

Back in the 3.0 edition days I knew all this and am surprised how much I have forgotten. But we never played modern so modern weapons are totally new.

No, but can he not ready and fire in one round? If no, can he at leat ready and take cover?

Watching Jacob go down Daniel feels a little sick. You Bastard. he thinks. Jacob was not even attacking. He brings up his H&K MP7A1 and fires. Help me out with the mechanics and modifiers here.

Submachine Gun, Skill 15: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 1) = 9

Damage is 4d+1, Acc is 4, range 180/1900 RoF is 15,bulk -3, Recoil is 2

My apologies, work has been absolutely horrendous lately

As Jacob stands up, the man with the cross-bow doesn't hesitate, he fires at Jacob immediately. There's a loud twang!

10 yard range (30 ft), -4, +2 Weapon Quality

[dice=Attack]16-3d6-4+2 Potential Hit

Ok. Still trying to understand the combat system. You seem to be adding the weapon quality and subtracting the range penalty. But since low is good, shouldn't you be doing the opposite?

I thought we made it clear that you have no authority here, knight or no. Taking these children is dishonorable and is kidnapping where I come from. At the very least you should first speak with their parents. Can you share why they are wanted and where you want to take them? Daniel stands but does not reach for a weapon.

That was a nice thought Jacob. Thanks, and safe travels to those traveling. I'll go see family tomorrow.

Busy myself so I certainly understand. Had to miss work today to attend a funeral for my wife's aunt. 17 days from diagnosis to death. Some type of blood cancer. At least there was very little pain.

Perception (12): 3d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 4) = 11

Daniel whispers back But if they are from some other nation they would not have legal enforcement powers here, right?

Legal enforcement powers is a GURPS advantage and to have powers that were world wide in their reach would be worth a lot of points...

I did as well...

I see better than most of my kind in the dark. Daniel responds. And you? Is darkvision one more of your talents?

As the men burst in Daniel's hand goes, under the table, to his sidearm. But when Calia speaks he calms a little. Just to be clear. he adds Are you saying that these two have no legal enforcement power here, and that taking the boys would be tantamount to kidnapping?

Watching Calia eat, Daniel smiles and rakes off about half his food onto her plate. We do sit too much. I prefer to be on foot in nature when I can be. Riding in these "beasts" as the locals call them is necessary but not my desire. he explains as he eats slowly. You and I could take a walk outside the walls later if you like. he adds.

Daniel has offered to sleep in his LAV.

I'll grab some chow and a bath Jacob and then come out and spell you. I plan on sleeping in the vehicle. Turning to Calia Daniel asks Would you like to join me for dinner after we get cleaned up?

Only had to log in once to day, so far. That's good.

I am here and reading but unsure how to contribute at the moment. Why are we still in town? what else do we need to accomplish here? Seeing shades of Blackhawk Down...

I'll bunk in the vehicle Jacob, if that helps. But jot meals do sound good.

An interesting observation about GURPS in general, at least from my perspective, is that the players are often not the elites. In other game systems the players, at least after some time playing, are the leaders and skilled elite team mates that save the world. In GURPS it seems that players are always overshadowed by NPCs. Anyone else feel that?

And we grow more elite every day, partially thanks to you Calia. We are learning your languages and customs, and are making friends with the locals. Daniel says with a smile. That makes us more valuable. I am sure you see that.

I think we still carry some trade goods with us as well. Those might be used for bribes as well as coin, and could be sold as well.

I'd say that is Jacob's call but I'd go along with it.

Where do you get all the cool pictures?

Daniel leans towards Jacob and says quietly Not my idea sir. Waste of time if you ask me.

Daniel goes along happy that Dawn is not fighting anyone or anything directly.

I am not sure this show is a good idea Dawn. Best case we use resources. Daniel cautions.

Daniel offers to help Calia stand. You are obligated to listen to this one? he asks her.

Daniel still stands defensively between Calia and her sister, but his focus is on Calia and he asks her When will you be ready for travel? I'd not leave you here but we cannot stay overly long.

Daniel admits Dawn is right. We are the weekend warriors, not the full time soldiers. I did my time in the full time elites but I had family matters to attend to so mustered out. He now stands next to Calia and has managed to stand between her and Cale but has tried to maneuver slowly and not openly about it.

Has enough time passed, with enough practice that Daniel can spend more on his sword skill?