[GA] OOC Chat

[Dark Lord]

Conduct your OOC chatter here.

[Dark Lord]

1) As you may have noticed, we were due for a refresh of the OOC chat thread. I'll leave the old one up for a couple of days in case there is anything there that you guys want to save.

2) Please review the updated Mall guidelines. They've been revised in response to a lot of the recent discussions in this forum, in my devout hope that they will make for a more organized and pleasant shopping experience for all involved.

Effective immediately, DSM and I will only respond to price checks or requests for availability anywhere outside the mall. No PMs, no requests in this thread or elsewhere in this forum. Feel free to discuss your purchases among yourselves here, but the interface between shopping requests and the official GM response now occurs in exactly one place.

If you want to try and make a case for some non-standard modifications, you are welcome to make another attempt in the Mall (I'm not making any promises though). Just come armed with precedents, and make things easy as possible for us. However, I've already noted that the NE special modules are only available for that particular suit of armor- I'm not budging on that one. Solaris, don't think me unsympathetic to your desire to go all FemShep with your character. But the best I can recommend is you look through the books for some example of retractable blades that can be added to any EBA (IIRC Kesslan may have found one example in Juicer Uprising), and couple that with an example energy blade sold in some of the other books. Aliens Unlimited has examples of the latter, and may even include rules for adding them to armor.

[Dime Store Magic]

OOC thread pruned!

[Dime Store Magic]

In the house rules section, there have been changes to a few powers. Looking at Solaris and StarChief, they each have an affect power:

Super Power Corrections & Errata


26-31: Gravity Manipulation (HU2)
Increase Gravity:

When Increase Gravity is used on a mobile target, it requires a roll with a flat bonus of +2 to strike.
Area Affected: Self, one area of 20 feet in radius, or one person or object of up to 500 pounds + 100 pounds per level.
When used on a single, living opponent:

• Normal P.S.: -6 to all combat rolls, reduces speed to 1, and number of physical APM to 1.
  
• Augmented/Extraordinary P.S.: -4 to all combat rolls, reduces speed by 3/4, and number of physical APM by 2.
• Robotic/Superhuman P.S.: -3 to all combat rolls, reduces speed by 1/2, and number of physical APM by 1/2.
• Supernatural P.S.: -2 to all combat rolls, reduces speed by 1/4, and number of physical APM by 1.
Characters with Gravity Manipulation or Weightlessness are immune to the effects of this sub-power, as are intangible characters, energy beings and those in gas/most/smoke form.
In all cases, psionic powers and other abilities that don't require physical movement are unaffected by this power.

41-48: Danger Sense (PU1)
Disregard the bonus to M.E. and increase the initiative bonus to +3.

[Solaris]

Wow. Just, wow.

I can tell when I'm not wanted.

[The Bos]

Wow. Just, wow.

I can tell when I'm not wanted.

It's a conspiracy, dad gummit!

[Dark Lord]

Wow. Just, wow.
I can tell when I'm not wanted.

For the record- more than one person in the group's hangout believes that Solaris is the only reason more of their character's aren't dead.
I don't blame you for being annoyed by the ruling. Firstly, I'd like to encourage you to weigh in in the discussion thread if you are so inclined.
Second- it's not clear to me if these changes are 'live' yet. At a minimum, I plan on doing my next GM post using the same rules we have been for gravity manipulation. After that, I'm going to play it by ear, but you and everyone else can rest assured that nobody's going to get screwed over by changing the rules for a super power in the middle of a fight.

[Solaris]

Thanks, Dark Lord. Yeah, I'm not terribly pleased. Good to know that I'm viewed as handy by my fellow Galactic Adventurers though!

I'm not sure what I can contribute to the discussion thread; I don't see anything in there regarding the Gravity Manipulation power, and I'm not on Hangouts, so this completely blindsided me. Was there some reason given for the changes? Afaik, they'd only effect Solaris (and possibly NPCs I'm not aware of). I'm trying to think of reasons against such a drastic change without sounding too irrational...

[Dime Store Magic]

Thanks, Dark Lord. Yeah, I'm not terribly pleased. Good to know that I'm viewed as handy by my fellow Galactic Adventurers though!

I'm not sure what I can contribute to the discussion thread; I don't see anything in there regarding the Gravity Manipulation power, and I'm not on Hangouts, so this completely blindsided me. Was there some reason given for the changes? Afaik, they'd only effect Solaris (and possibly NPCs I'm not aware of). I'm trying to think of reasons against such a drastic change without sounding too irrational...

There appear to be a number of powers that were adjusted without any sort of public discussion here on the boards (and I wasn't a decision maker in the process either). In general, specific abilities were adjusted to make them consistent with other powers (for example one alter physical structure offered a regeneration rate, but another power did not), or to prevent a power from being an outright "I WIN" button when there is no ability to resist or avoid the effect.

Objectively, I can see that the Increase Gravity ability could be less effective based on the character's strength for game balance and/or the character should be able to dodge out of the field. But I also would think in real life that the ability to induce a 50 G field on someone should cause most people to outright fall unconscious as all of their blood is drawn away from the brain regardless of strength - so the counter should be some sort of P.E. save.

A tarnished silver lining: The changes do cut both ways, so if an NPC has the power it will have to follow the same rules so PCs will benefit.

[Dark Lord]

It's part of a comprehensive, site-wide project on all super powers. I wasn't involved, but I must admit some sympathy for the game balance concerns. I don't believe for a moment that any specific character(s) were in mind with this. Like DSM said, being on hangouts wouldn't have made it any less surprising.

[Solaris]

Well, I understand the aspect of game balance. Although, not only is a strike roll being added (understandably) but also the effects against stronger opponents are being incredibly reduced.

I don't see it as anywhere close to an "auto-win", even using the power as written. There are opponents who can teleport, go intangible, use mind control, or even stay out of the 200' range. And that's just off the top of my head.

Compared to something like Carpet of Adhesion, which virtually every spellcaster on the site has, and can be cast multiple times AND still has an effect for a while even if you save, I don't see Gravity Manipulation as being nearly as bad/broken/needs to be nerfed.

But of course, I'm biased.

[Chef Icky]

Well, I understand the aspect of game balance. Although, not only is a strike roll being added (understandably) but also the effects against stronger opponents are being incredibly reduced.

Goldie, we could so use you on Hangouts. Just sayin'.

I'm in full agreement with you on this, FWIW. The strike roll is a logical addition -- especially when focusing on a single target -- but the reduction of effects is absurdly nerfed. You could focus on Halthhag at full strength and he *might* notice enough to flinch.

[Dark Lord]

Solaris, I think you're absolutely right.
I'd like to invite everyone to comment on the proposals I've submitted to be more even handed in 'correcting' certain imbalanced powers.

[Solaris]

Thanks Icky, Dark Lord. I'm not sure I have much to add to the discussion, but I appreciate the support.

[Juan Echo]

After a couple of months, I've completed a massive reedit of the Yayamama Pantheon on my character sheet here. It's quite thorough in outlining the pantheon and the worlds they govern. Hopefully it makes sense, and if anyone has any questions or suggestions for edits feel free to DM me your thoughts and ideas. I might go back and add more gods in the future, but otherwise, hopefully I have finished tinkering with my character's background

[Dime Store Magic]

After a couple of months, I've completed a massive reedit of the Yayamama Pantheon on my character sheet here. It's quite thorough in outlining the pantheon and the worlds they govern. Hopefully it makes sense, and if anyone has any questions or suggestions for edits feel free to DM me your thoughts and ideas. I might go back and add more gods in the future, but otherwise, hopefully I have finished tinkering with my character's background

'

Fun read, chuckled at "deeply unpleasant" and "a real piece of work". While Urqos may be many races, maybe the next project is to define the Urqos of Yaya and Mama. Is it the case that deities can be born spontaneously from two Urqos, which is why the pantheon is so huge?

[Juan Echo]

My thought is that the demographically the Urqos of the Yayamama system is a lot like other parts of the Three Galaxies, a lot of humans, some wolfen and noro, maybe even some draconids, along with the random other alien species. The Urqos are whoever came with the Yayamama to the star system along with anyone that gets stranded there. Culture would be ad hoc and hyper local. If I were to write about that it would be even more sprawling I think. Tho, something I could expand upon later if I'm bored.

As for the number of gods, I've been reading Journey to the West and you notice that there are a lot of local gods in Daoism (for respective mountains, rivers, cities, etc.). In the Yayamama the gods reproduce amonst themselves and raise their children according to planetary customs. If there was a Yayamama - Urqos pairing it would likely produce demigods.

[Solaris]

Just fyi, I've posted on the tracker as I'll be on vaca for about a week and a half.

[Dime Store Magic]

2 million credits added to the equipment sheets of Chef Icky, Juan Echo, Metri, Solaris, and Starchief. This is the payout for the 50 million given by Thraxus for stopping Cormal. The rest is in the group fund. Sorrenson to be paid out of the Rogues' payout.

[Chef Icky]

2 million credits added to the equipment sheets of Chef Icky, Juan Echo, Metri, Solaris, and Starchief. This is the payout for the 50 million given by Thraxus for stopping Cormal. The rest is in the group fund. Sorrenson to be paid out of the Rogues' payout.

Cha-CHING!!!!!

[Solaris]

Might need that money for medical expenses resulting from debauchery with a certain person...

[Starchief]

I'm a 500,000 credit romp at best.

[Dark Lord]

I HATE HATE HATE the alterations to my powers (yes, I realize that it's unrelated but it makes me see red). Strike roll? Cool, makes sense. Saving throw? Okay...suuuure. One-quarter effect against SN strength? Excusez moi? Is there a petition I can sign?

I sympathize (as I think you know). All I can suggest here is that you talk to Augur about it and try to push for the new rules to be a little less draconian.

[Juan Echo]

Shipping live cargo to Seeron will pose some logistical challenges, but I think it won't be too much or too hard. First of all the animals I want to suggest we get and some other options that can be made available.
1) Lurduuks (Dimension Book 14: Thundercloud Galaxy, page 96): We can sell them for meat, and hunting. Selling them for hunting might be useful for trying to infiltrate some military so-and-so that might want to shoot them for sport. If we want to be really reckless with this, I want to get nesting mothers and their eggs, if we sell the eggs to the right targets and unleash the angry moms on the planet we could provide us cover to move freely while the Tarlok security is chasing and being chased by the ducks (this might be too convoluted to actually do)
2) Baby blow worms (Rifts Conversion Book, page 162): A full size one would be too much, but several babies that are no more than 20 - 30 feet long can be sold as a delicacy for any banquet. And they look scary enough, that us delivering them to our targets *would require us to be fully armed lest the animals break free*.
3) Peryton (Rifts Conversion Book, page 152): A little of number 1, a little of number 2. We'll want to transport these things with care, and then run as those pissed off demon deer do something ugly to our targets.
4) Tarlok loving tribbles: I'd have to make these with DSM overseeing it, but the concept would be tribbles that love large creatures with exoskeletons almost as much as they love reproducing. Drop a few in an area and let them just be a mild distraction for the enemies.
5) Abadauna (Dimension Book 14: Thundercloud Galaxy, page 87): Smart unicorns, they sell expensive and we might be able to train them to infiltrate our target.
I'd lean for 1 and 2, but if others feel strong about other creatures or have other plans I'm open to them.
Part of the reason for Lurduuk's and giant baby worms is they can be easy to transport. Lurduuk's will be in crates, and the worms don't need to move around that much; they're basically the veal of invertebrates. We can transport all that if Solaris flies as our escort in her fighter. An added bonus of the escort is that it makes our goods look more exotic. We can claim that she has orders to destroy the ship if the animals break loose lest they harm a civilian ship or delicate ecosystem. So badass hunter's, if you want the most dangerous game, or the craziest meats, we got you covered.

[Dime Store Magic]

What you find is a role playing opportunity so think about what skills you all have to find the beastie(s) you are interested in buying. And how much money you are willing to spend.

[Dime Store Magic]

XP has been added to your sheets. Congratulations to Chef Icky, Juan Echo, and StarChief, you've all leveled up!

[Dime Store Magic]

Hey everyone,

You may or may not have seen the changes to the XP expectations:

How to meet my expectations:

• Introspection (the character's internal monologue/thoughts)
• The character's dialogue with other PCs/NPCs
• Humor (something that makes me or DSM chuckle)
• Good playing in character (especially if doing so under challenging circumstances)
• Good (creative) problem solving
• Vivid and well-written descriptions

In general, you as a group are consistent with Introspection and Dialogue. But the others occur with much less frequency. One item that I think should be easy to include is the "Vivid and well-written descriptions."

What kind of things, you ask?

Facial Expressions
Gestures
Body Language
Sounds
Textures
Shapes
Colors
objects held or worn


For example, when in combat: What kind of weapon is being used? Is it heavy or light, big or small? What type of sound does it make when fired? What does the bullet/energy beam look like? What does it do when it hits?

So there is a series of novels called Exordium by Sherwood Smith and Dave Trowbridge. The first book is called Phoenix in Flight. These two are a bit over the top, and may have been paid by the word. But to give you some inspiration:

The almost solid beam from the weapon, which was far larger than could be carried without servos, carved a flaming groove across the floor and into the already damaged console where Alluwan had been, undoing with ferocious speed the jury-rigged repairs of only hours ago. Then, as Hreem and his crew watched dumbfounded, it retraced its path back toward the Marine wielding the jac and blew a hole through the deck as the menacing armored figure slowly crumpled to its knees. Several seconds later, the jac exhausted its charge and fell silent, leaving a gaping, molten-edged hole in the deck. The Marine remained kneeling.

In the doorway, the other Marine stood silently, firejac half-raised. No one moved for a moment until, with a snarl of fear and incomprehension, Hreem triggered his jac into the Marine’s faceplate. The refractory dyplast withstood the blast for a moment, as the Marine began to fall backward, so that the plasma beam traced a shallow groove across the faceplate as the heavily armored figure fell onto its back.

Now the bridge was almost silent, save for the hiss and spit of an electrical fire in the twice-ruined console, and the moaning of someone badly burned. Hreem remained kneeling for a time, watching the two Panarchists suspiciously. There was no movement. After a time he got to his feet and walked cautiously out the hatch to the downed Marine—the deck around the other was too hot to approach. The crew muttered approbation as, after a momentary pause, Hreem raised his boot and brought it down heel-first on the Marine’s faceplate. His heel-claw shattered the heat-grayed dyplast and plunged through.

Blood oozed slowly from the ragged wounds inflicted by the tines of the claw on the Marine’s face, which was barely recognizable as male, probably around forty. His eyes, mouth, and pores seeped blood: his face was bright red, as from a savage sunburn, and the sour stink of vomit rose from the open helmet. They must have caught it when the Korion blew. A great heaviness lifted from Hreem’s heart, and the awful, pride-devouring realization of his fear and helplessness vanished, leaving not even a memory. Hreem looked up at the screen as the drone of another missile discharging burred through the bridge. The Marines had failed there, too.

[Dime Store Magic]

Poll for Dark Lord is up:

http://www.explorersunlimited.com/eu/viewtopic.php?p=1364078#p1364078

It's open until June 7th.

[Dime Store Magic]

XP has been updated. Juan Echo has leveled up. Chef Icky has completed his apprenticeship and is now a level 1 Priest of Dionysus. Please welcome Friar Icky! (Eric, please figure out how you want your XP displayed. I updated, but it was messy.)

[Chef Icky]

XP has been updated. Juan Echo has leveled up. Chef Icky has completed his apprenticeship and is now a level 1 Priest of Dionysus. Please welcome Friar Icky! (Eric, please figure out how you want your XP displayed. I updated, but it was messy.)

I'll work on that. Icky's not going to be officially transitioning into his new OCC until his subplot is completed, so his character sheet won't reflect his joining the priesthood until then.

[Dime Store Magic]

Day 6, we need Aoife, Chef Icky, and Solaris posts. The Tarlok need dance partners.

[Dime Store Magic]

Hey everyone,

We've now finished a quad using Dark Lord's updated expectations. In reviewing the posts I have a few general points to make.

1. Skill walls

Just rolling a bunch of skills makes it difficult for the GM to decide what you are successful at. With each skill indicate what you are trying to accomplish. That leads me to #2

2. One of the criteria is "Creative Problem solving"

Rolling a bunch of skills and hoping something sticks is not creative, it's your prose that is garnering you a reward. The skills are there to determine if you succeed. All of those reasons you've given with your skill check, incorporate them into your prose and reap the XP!

3. Another Criteria is "Good Playing in Character (especially if doing so under challenging circumstances)"

In the Galactic Adventurers there is one human (Seeronian), one near human (True Atlantean), and a bunch of aliens. Even the two human like characters will not be mistaken as a regular Jack or Jill. What are those alien quirks and characteristics? I'd like to see more of that incorporated into the posts.

(Stealing shameless from some of what Rogue Trader wrote for the Galactic Rogues)...

Help for establishing your character's personality

When a GM or an AGM does xp, we have to make a judgment call on whether a player is roleplaying "in character". Often, we are basing this on your character sheet's description of your character, and/or on your past playing style. Sometimes, this can be difficult.

This post is recommended for anyone having a hard time getting a feel for their character. It contains links to articles about establishing your personality and background, and a handy list of questions that will help you to cement your character's personality.

In addition to those, that post contains a wishlist/goals sheet, as a way of helping to track your character's desires - which can greatly help in establishing your character in a realistic way.

Here are some additional questions to consider:

1. Is the character verbose or stoic? Answer here
2. Is the character funny or dour? Answer here
3. Is the character a follower or a leader? Answer here
4. How does the character react when under pressure? Answer here
5. Does the character volunteer for tasks? Answer here
6. Is the character friendly? To the character's team, to strangers? Answer here
7. Does the character offer mercy? Answer here
8. Is the character curious and/or adventurous? Answer here
9. Is the character prejudiced about anything? Answer here
10. How does the character react to aliens? Answer here
11. How does the character react when the character is the victim of prejudice? Answer here
12. What is the character's passion? Answer here

Code: Select all

[b]1.  Is the character verbose or stoic?[/b]
[b]2.  Is the character funny or dour?[/b]
[b]3.  Is the character a follower or a leader?[/b]
[b]4.  How does the character react when under pressure?[/b] 
[b]5.  Does the character volunteer for tasks?[/b]
[b]6.  Is the character friendly?  To the character's team, to strangers?[/b]
[b]7.  Does the character offer mercy?[/b]
[b]8.  Is the character curious and/or adventurous?[/b]
[b]9.  Is the character prejudiced about anything?[/b]
[b]10. How does the character react to aliens?[/b]
[b]11. How does the character react when the character is the victim of prejudice?[/b]
[b]12. What is the character's passion?[/b]

I would encourage all of my players to consider these questions very carefully for their characters, and post these as an addendum to your character sheet, if only to help me determine when you are roleplaying in character.

After figuring out your answers, I'd recommend going back and looking at your character's alignment, maybe it's not what you thought it was originally and you need to chat with Dark Lord about changing it.

[Kaedras Starfall]

I've added answers to these to Kaedras' sheet.