Thalin Shieldbearer's page

Hey.

First, I owe everyone apologies for vanishing without a word. I've come back to try to apologize for doing so, and to let you know that I have no idea when I'll be able to meaningfully return.

That's as far s anyone needs to read. If you're curious, you are free to keep going, though.

Why did I vanish? My wife had started an evaluation of her knees, scheduled to run for about 2 months. First appointment was on a Monday. Late that same Thursday we were told the evaluation was over and they were going to schedule her for a full knee replacement in her worse leg. We found out that next Monday that surgery was that Thursday, a week after we were told she would be having surgery.

I took some sick leave to help her through the surgery and earliest recovery stages. I've been working half days, taking sick leave for the rest, for the past couple of weeks, trying to keep her from doing too much with the live-in grand kids and doing her exercises, with only partial luck.

She's doing her exercises while I type, and the grand kids are down for their naps. Today is going to be the last day I PLAN to do the half-day thing. Thing is, even having been home so much more than normal, I've been going non-stop. We were two weeks past her surgery before I even got into the office where my computer sits, and we're over three weeks past it now and I've had to steal the time to let people know what's going on.

I don't know how long it will be before I can reasonably expect the leisure time to properly contribute to these games again. I am sorry for vanishing, but I have to focus on my wife's actual needs before I play.

Sorry, wife had surgery Thursday (knee replacement). Artificial joint to go with her artificial valve. <shrug>

Claiming 1 of the 3 +2 bonuses from the computer for this round.

Thalin traces the path of the still attacking fighter before scoring a second hit with the second shot.

Gunnery w/ Computer: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 12 + 2 = 26
Damage: 5d8 ⇒ (8, 4, 5, 3, 1) = 21

Claiming 1 of the 3 +2 bonuses from the computer for this round.

Thalin takes a second to check the twin lasers before pointing and clicking, trying to follow-up through the weakened opponent . . ..

Gunnery w/ Computer: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 12 + 2 = 31
Damage: 5d8 ⇒ (6, 4, 5, 8, 1) = 24

Again, they will move after you, so you can only guess where they are going to go and try to get to the most beneficial place you think is there, and wait to see what they actually do . . .. This is part of why I like big long-range weapons. When you lose init you can simply try to increase the distance and reduce the weapons they can bring to bear, and when you win, you can better select your firing arcs.

"Ah'd settle fer sum key malfuncshions, but uh couple o' big bangs'ld be good, too." He stops for a secon, looking confused, before continuing. "Oh. Yeah. 'N' gittin' Morgrym back."

Known computer security protocols? <evil grin>
Physical Security/Marine Complement? (Number of people likely to be onboard but not keeping the ship functioning.)
Internal docking bays?

The generic post to share before attempting to recovery post:

So, I got the flu. Not really over it, yet, but past the worst of it.

I went to get tested to verify it was flu, and the care providers went down the "better safe than sorry hole" a might to far, in my opinion.

Standard questions, designed to check for other, deeper concerns/problems, right? "Do you have any tightness in your chest?" "I've been coughing for about three days at this point, yes, I have a tightness in my chest!" So, they stopped everything about verifying the flu in order to check for a heart attack. Thing is, my fever had just started to break, and I was not only DRENCHED in sweat, but I was still actively sweating that hard. They couldn't get a good EKG read because the contact stickers wouldn't. Stick, I mean.

They called an ambulance and transferred me to an ER, to make sure I wasn't having a heart attack. The ER team was focused on EXACTLY one thing, for obvious reasons. First thing they did different? They took that super medical tape and taped the sensors down. EKG told them almost immediately that there was no heart attack going on. I was still in that ER for nearly 15 hours . . ..

IV fluids. Roughly 2.4 liters of fluid pushed into my system. Breathing treatment. Seems when I arrived in the ER, my O2 saturation was around 82. They started to admit me in order to watch my O2 saturation levels, but after I sat in their ER for that long without any further dips, they accepted it might not still be required and discharged me instead of continuing to wait for a room. Having an asthmatic wife means we have a nebulizer at home, and that helped sell the release, too. Still spending more time asleep than awake, for now.

Missed a couple of Santa gigs the family had lined up. Went to a photoshoot with a family yesterday. I was there for about 10 minutes, just needing to sit and smile, but I stumbled into the house when I got home, completely exhausted. I'm supposed to go get caught in a neighbor's house tonight. Very worried about going. Just as worried about denying their kids.

As he moves this time, Thalin seeks cover behind the roof peak just "S" of
Eshenvral's position. Continuing in the same theme, though.

Trick Attack w/ Survival & Take 10 - Because I can: 10 + 17 + 4 = 31 Succeeds and makes him FF if CR 11 or less

Single-Valve Plasma Ring vs FF: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
E&F w/ Trick: 1d4 + 3 + 4d8 ⇒ (1) + 3 + (1, 4, 2, 3) = 14 And FF to everyone else.

Hey. Real life.

I live in a 3 generation home.

This last weekend, both of the youngest generation (one is 2 the other just had her first birthday) got sick. So did their mom. Monday so did their dad. Somewhere in there, grandma got sick, too. Now I'm sick. At least the youngest seems to be over it.

If you need to bot me to keep things moving, please do.

I'm sorry, but I'm not even managing to focus to play spades on my phone right now, and that's amazingly brainless.

The explorer continues to pull back, moving to behind the roof extension that probably indicates the front door (about 3 squares, I think), even as he moves to trick the same fellow he just missed.

Trick Attack w/ Survival & Take 10 - Because I can: 10 + 17 + 4 = 31 Succeeds and makes him FF if CR 11 or less

Single-Valve Plasma Ring vs FF: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
E&F w/ Trick: 1d4 + 3 + 4d8 ⇒ (1) + 3 + (1, 5, 5, 7) = 22 And FF to everyone else.

Trick Attack w/ Survival & Take 10 - Because I can: 10 + 17 + 4 = 31 Succeeds and makes him FF if CR 11 or less

Single-Valve Plasma Ring: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12
E&F w/ Trick: 1d4 + 3 + 4d8 ⇒ (3) + 3 + (5, 5, 2, 7) = 25 <frown> Nat 1 means doesn't matter, right?

Thalin continues trying to pick off one of the leaders while trying to keep from falling behind the enemy's front line. Apparently those shots in his direction distracted him, though . . ..

I said Thalin pulled back. I had figured he would move "up" the roof to somewhere in the neighborhood of the orange spot. Honestly, not very picky about where.

The explorer will attempt to trick the one in the front on his side of the street, moving a little further away from the Azlanti mass before shooting at his selected target.

Trick Attack w/ Survival & Take 10 - Because I can: 10 + 17 + 4 = 31 Succeeds and makes him FF if CR 11 or less

Single-Valve Plasma Ring vs FF w/Improved Get'em: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 11 + 2 = 16
E&F w/ Trick: 1d4 + 3 + 4d8 ⇒ (1) + 3 + (1, 8, 1, 3) = 17

The dwarf tries to adjust position to maximize his cover, before taking a shot at the one closest to him . . ..

Trick Attack w/ Survival & Take 10 - Because I can: 10 + 17 + 4 = 31 Succeeds and makes him FF if CR 11 or less

Single-Valve Plasma Ring: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
E&F w/ Trick: 1d4 + 3 + 4d8 ⇒ (1) + 3 + (1, 6, 2, 2) = 15 Or 4 if not Tricked

I said I don't think I can, but if the judge says I can, well . . ..

Once in position, Thalin pulls his ring and sends a plasma blast downrange. Literally.

Single-Valve Plasma Ring @ between 60' and 80' distance w/ Far Shot: 1d20 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 11 - 1 = 21
E & F: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

The dwarven temperament shies through as Thalin doesn't even consider closing with the Azanti at this point, but continues to try to climb this wall!

Athletics (Climb): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22

If 15' is enough for him to scramble up on that roof, then he will pull his weapon and try to get a bead on the bad guys. If not, then he will attempt to continue to climb.

Athletics (Climb): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26

Hunh. They'r righ' in t' mix w' t' civilians. Gotta git us bet'r angle . . .. No time fer t' kit. Thalin looks to his left, and sees if he can't climb up onto that building so that he can shoot over the other dwarves instead of through them . . ..

Athletics (Climb): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15
Athletics (Climb): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18

Dicebot thinks that was a HORRIBLE idea, obviously.

Stone or brick wall is a DC20. Smoother walls, like space station walls are a DC25. Missing by more than 4 means falling, but his effective climb speed is only 15' so he couldn't have gotten far. Missing by 4 or less means no progress, so he's at the bottom of the wall, feeling pretty sheepish, I imagine.

Thalin tries to work his way through the crowds as smoothly as he can, causing as little disruption as possible while taking every move forward he can find.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (17) + 18 = 35
Athletics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

Yep, same dice rolls as I remember. And I didn't cheat and change the order! If I had, wouldn't I have made the totals 30 and 25 instead?

Nope. Nothing specific from me.

Annoyed. I thought I posted last night, but I don't see it? Must have just hit preview and closed the window?

"Bleedin' Hell." Stopping only to make sure he's got his gear, the pack always sitting ready, or course, Thalin heads for the port.

According to the linked ship sheet, the laser net is in the turret, nto the aft.

The computer provides 2 +2 bonuses, not 3.

I don't see your custom pricing for a battery recharging station represented on the worksheet.

But I really don't want to spend time defending something you guys all spent weeks tearing apart and rebuilding once already.

I'm not going to try to work through someone else's worksheets to try to track down the math.

My original calculations for the Tier 6 ship are earlier in this very thread, with each item's costs identified specifically, and the running total identified as well. They are all very clear and very simple. Visible addition and subtraction, instead of hidden behind an interface, let's you verify every step of the process.

Then the numbers for the defensive upgrade are also in this very thread, though I admit I used the ship's sheet linked above instead of my notes to identify what was available.

It will be easy enough for you to compare on your own, if you really want to.

The things I remember being discussed as things not included in the pricing until I got involved included additional hardpoints and hardpoint upgrades, not paying fully for both weapons and then the link between them, etc. I also seem to remember you waved a wand at one of the costs, so looking back through this thread would be the only way to find that.

We have the biggest thrusters allowed for our size ship. We can't get faster without house-ruling options onto the system.

A drift engine upgrade would reduce our time spent in a jump, but that's really expensive for reducing off-camera downtime duration.

And I don't really have a 1 BP modification preference, I just saw that those 3 options both exist and don't create a cascade of modifications in order to accomplish them.

Okay, 180 BP is an additional 25. We have 6 Power Points in excess right now if we keep everything online all the time.

Defenses, so, if we increase the armor at all, we make it easier to get a target lock on us, so let's look at making a Target Lock harder, first.

Defensive Countermeasures Mk 8 cost an additional 6 power (maxing us out with everything online at the same time) and 12 Build Points to add 4 to our TL (leaving 13 build points on hand).

Armor bump to Mk 6 will cost 12 BP and 1 TL, increasing our AC by 2, our TL by 3, and leaving 1 BP to play with.

This puts the ship's AC at 16+Pilot's ranks in piloting (so, 23?).

It puts the ship's TL at 17+Pilot's ranks in piloting (so, 24?).

edit: Putting those target numbers in perspective, our primary gunner, with a computer bonus to his attack roll, has a +12. /edit

That's the quick, defense-focused bump.

We could use the 1 remaining BP to (none change the power point consumption):
- mount an anti-personnel (Tech 1) longarm covering the entrance
- "upgrade" the sensors to budget long-range sensors. They see further, but we lose the +2 bump from the equipment
- replace the Laser Net defensive weapon with a Light Particle Beam offensive one.

Been doing the drugged recovery thing. Sorry.

I can look at it again this weekend?

Stealth isn't really a ship option, sadly.

The current configuration is a combination of optional working spaces, offense and defenses. It is a bit of a non-specialized ship, but that's exactly what the group wanted.

I think my intent was to look at increasing the defenses for a single level bump.

Was at the hospital from about 0730 till about 1615. Home. reasonably awake, and medicated. The entire area over the hernia and belly button is under s bandage I'm not supposed to touch until Saturday, so all I know is I have some ugly looking injuries from where the laparoscopic entry points were on my left side. Not as limited in my movements this morning as I thought I would be, which is good. Abdominal muscles are a little tight, though. Don't think I can blame them. I figured they would be a LOT more mad than they seem to be.

Hey. I have surgery in the morning. Pretty minor, but it IS surgery. Outpatient, with a normal "don't work" period of 2 days, and a "no exertion" period of like 6 weeks.

I should be giving all my games another pass this evening, but I make no promises for the next day or two.

What is it? An umbilical hernia repair. Surgeon says I have multiple hernias right there together. All I know for sure is the general practitioner who referred em to the surgeon had it right when he said it looks like I'm going to give birth to a Titleist.

Trick Attack went to 4 dice.
Edge went to 3.
Can now ALWAYS take 10 with Skill Focus skills - regardless of distractions or stress.
Don't give flatfooted, flanked, nor prone advantages to opponents targeting me.
Feat: Versatile Focus

Looks like we each clear 2K? I'll sit on it, for now.

"Maybe t' buggers 'r' 'tract'd ta t' heat? T' food's uh bonus?"

Life science for a theory instead of a stupid fat guy's guess?

Life Science: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Okay, maybe a stupid fat guy's guess is good enough!

Not assuming I have the best answer, just responding because I see the request.

Life Science: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

"Fine, so's activate yer suits 'n' let's git to i'!"

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25
Engineering: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14 Yes, I have an Engineering Kit

D'oh!

"If yer ded set onnit, t'en let's git it over wit'." Thalin starts moving in the direction of the reactor.

"Fine. Have it yer way, t'en! Where's t' bleedin' central plant, t'en? Ye wan' power, we gotta git 'er back online."

"We need ta hit'n'git it. T'ey ain't gonna STAY gone! A t'ink we know w'at hap'n'd. Whut else we tryin' ta 'complish?" The dwarf takes the time start gathering supplies for the resistance from the bodies of the soldiers who didn't get to run.

"You lot don' know when yer beat, doya?"

With a quick scan, I don't see a link to the map, so I'm posting blind . . ..

The explorer continues working to gain every advantage he can during this fight. If he can see the guy using the big gun, he'll try to take HIM out.

Survival for Trick (using terrain for cover): 1d20 + 16 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 16 + 4 = 28

Tricks through CR 8. 8 is more than 5, right?

Plasma Ring vs Flat-footed EAC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Not that promising a roll, though

Electric & Fire w/ Trick Attack: 1d4 + 3 + 3d8 ⇒ (3) + 3 + (5, 2, 4) = 17 Make target Flat-Footed to everyone until my next action, if I managed to hit.

Thalin continues moving to better cover, using the big drill's base for now, as he tries to trick and shoot the Azlanti visible through the doorways.

Survival for Trick (using terrain for cover): 1d20 + 16 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 16 + 4 = 24

Tricks through CR 4?

Plasma Ring vs Flat-footed EAC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Electric & Fire w/ Trick Attack: 1d4 + 3 + 3d8 ⇒ (2) + 3 + (4, 1, 4) = 14 Make target F;at-Footed to everyone until my next action, if I both tricked him and hit. Only 5 damage for hitting w/o Tricking.

Recognizing how much the Azlanti are not the main problem, Thalin changes targets.

Continuing to try to use the environment for cover from the invisible beast, he at least knows which direction Sharlavaka is shooting in, and he tries to hit the thing, too.

Survival for Trick (using terrain for cover): 1d20 + 16 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 16 + 4 = 30

Tricks through CR 10, so . . ..

Plasma Ring vs Flat-Footed EAC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11 :facepalm:

Electric & Fire w/ Trick Attack: 1d4 + 3 + 3d8 ⇒ (1) + 3 + (1, 6, 2) = 13 Make target Off-Trget, if I both tricked him and hit. Only 4 damage for hitting w/o Tricking. As if.

Miss chance (Low bad): 1d100 ⇒ 51 Irrelevant with the natural 1 11, I believe.

{ooc]I'm assuming the Azlanti side of the fight. Assuming.[/ooc]

Thalin continues doing what he knows to do, he picks target, moves for better cover, and fires his plasma ring at the target.

Survival for Trick (using terrain for cover): 1d20 + 16 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 16 + 4 = 25

Tricks through CR 5, so . . ..

Plasma Ring vs Flat-Footed EAC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Electric & Fire w/ Trick Attack: 1d4 + 3 + 3d8 ⇒ (2) + 3 + (4, 2, 3) = 14 Make target flat-footed to everyone else, if I both tricked him and hit. Only 5 damage for hitting w/o Tricking.

No, you aren't supposed to be botting me. I really just missed the one round entirely. No special excuses or reasoning, I just missed it.

As near as I can tell we are in the next round right now.

Trying to figure out which fight I'm supposed to be part of. I THINK I'm supposed to be part of the Azlanti fight. I'm really not sure.

Wash, rinse, repeat

Trying to properly contribute, Thalin tries to use the giant weapon as covering terrain.

Survival for Trick (using terrain for cover): 1d20 + 16 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 16 + 4 = 34

Tricks through CR 14, so I'll assume good.

Plasma Ring vs Flat-Footed EAC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28 Yay!.

Electric & Fire w/ Trick Attack: 1d4 + 3 + 3d8 ⇒ (4) + 3 + (7, 1, 3) = 18 Make target off-target to reduce his attacks against everyone, if I both tricked him and hit.

"Blast'd Azlantee scum! You'll pay fer t'at!"

Trying to properly contribute, Thalin tries to use the giant weapon as covering terrain.

Survival for Trick (using terrain for cover): 1d20 + 16 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 16 + 4 = 31

Tricks through CR 21, so I'll assume good.

Plasma Ring vs Flat-Footed EAC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12 Probably not.

Electric & Fire w/ Trick Attack: 1d4 + 3 + 3d8 ⇒ (1) + 3 + (2, 7, 1) = 14 Make target off-target to reduce his attacks against everyone, if I both tricked him and hit.

It ain't just about modifiers. It is also about he can operate EXACTLY ONE station per combat round. Pilot, engineer, science officer, or gunner. He needs to not get them to shoot at him.

Yes, please shoot as early and as often as possible, as long as there are bad guys to shoot at, I mean.

I'll deal with the location indicated.

Uncertain if the previous post stands or if I need a new one.

"She's up t'ere 'n' we're inna fi't, case ya miss'd 't. Not gonna git t'ere soon."

Thalin moves to support the fight. If he can engage, then he will . . ..

Survival for Trick (using terrain for cover): 1d20 + 16 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 16 + 4 = 34

Tricks through CR 14, so I'll assume good.

Plasma Ring vs Flat-Footed EAC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20 Maybe.

Electric & Fire w/ Trick Attack: 1d4 + 3 + 3d8 ⇒ (2) + 3 + (4, 4, 6) = 19 Make target off-target to reduce his attacks against everyone, if I both tricked him and hit.

The command format uses the characters "[" and "]" as command delimiters.

The format is "dice=<label text>" in the first block and "/dice" in the closing block. What goes between them is ONLY dice and math. Such as "1d20+6".

"If we cin patch one o' 'em up 'nough ta move, could be uh distraction if we need one."

The dwarf gives the old robots a quick once over, and then scans the parts to see if there's much chance.

Engineering: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27

Trying to get my bearings as a player. Where on the maps is the big hole? One of the numbered rooms? The black one?

"Not gonna git t'rough t'is look sittin' on 'r cans, 'r' we?" Thalin starts to follow Isis.