Rogues' OOC Chat

[Consumer]

Conduct Out of Character Chat here.

Keep it Civil... Thread subject to complete deletion from time to time.

[Vortigern]

Welcome Erebos!

Let the scheming begin!

[Érebos]

Welcome Erebos!

Let the scheming begin!

[Az Rael]

This is starting to look like a dark, kickass team!

[Érebos]

Getting there

[Consumer]

So I am posting this in all my groups to clarify what I am looking for in a player post.

Perception: D100/Percentage
Just in Case D20/D100
Conditions: Things that are important, Sixth sense, Bio-Regen, Immunities, etc. You don't have to post all of your characters special abilities, just the ones you are actively using.

Skill Rolls D100/Percentage (What the skill is for.) If there isn't info to what the skill is for it will be ignored.

Post: Please include Thought and action, and if possible Speech. This is also a good place to make mention of the skills/special abilities you are using, in addition to stating them above.

Perception: D100/Percentage
Just in Case D20/D100
Conditions: Things that are important, Sixth sense, Bio-Regen, Immunities, etc. Again you don't have to post all of your characters special abilities, just the ones you are actively using.

Skill Rolls D100/Percentage (What the skill is for.) If there isn't info to what the skill is for it will be ignored.

Initiative: d20+bonuses
Number of attacks: ???

Strike rolls should state target and weapon used, like such.

Action One: Player swings vibro-blade at the pirate. (Strike: D20+bonus; Damage: d6 MD)
Action Two-three: Player aims for pirates head with ion pistol. (Strike: d20+bonus; Damage: 3d6 MD)

If you roll a Natural 20, go back and edit the attack to notate its increased damage.

Parry: d20+bonus. Give me as many rolls as you have attacks, they're free.
Dodge (What triggers your dodge, 50% armor... Ranged attacks, etc) d20+bonus. Give me as many rolls as you have attacks, these will be taken off of your last attack first and move up. If you don't include your bonuses in the roll, I will be sad.
Roll w/: d20+bonus as many times as you have attacks, also free to use.

Post: Please include Thought and action, and if possible Speech. This is also a good place to make mention of the skills/special abilities you are using, in addition to stating them above.

A round is 15 seconds, limit your speech to what you could speak in 15 seconds, no monologing.

"This is radio, its bold and blue."
"This is Telepathy, it is Italicized and purple.
"This is Speech, it's Bold."
This is thought, it is Italicized.

A note on skills. I assume you can speak your native language, no rolls necessary, unless you are trying to explain a foreign concept to a non-native speaker.

If you have 60% and up in a skill, you don't need to roll unless, stressed, or trying to explain a foreign concept.

Radio: Basic, no rolls needed for general use of a communication device. Changing frequencies, or installing them requires rolls.

Side note on skills posted. Feel free to post skills that you are unsure would work for a task, just make note of why you think the skill could be useful.

That's all I've got for now, if you have any questions please ask.

[Sorrenson]

Hiya,

So regarding the dividing up for the GR mission rewards for killing Uncle Halthy, I suggest the following:

• Divide the credit three ways. Sorrenson, Vort and Bryke get 1/3 each. Nice and simple.
• I expect you guys will want to keep the Ghost Star Fighter, so you should just keep it. I had thought of asking to swap the bigger one the GR has with the smaller one the GA has. So that the Drudge could fit in the hold. However you guys may want to keep it. Vort may eventually summon up a larger 'little friends' and the larger hold in the Ghost could be useful for that. Also, swapping that over would probably need the consent of too many people. Last but not least, it gives Sorrenson a good reason to buy another - smaller & sneaky - PA

Let me know what you guys think.

[Dark Lord]

Both groups' shuttles are the same size.

[Dark Lords Sadistic Minion]

There was also a bit of handwavium to make everyone fit in the ships, it has virtually no cargo space. But was built to house promethians so the cabin is big enough for 6 of them. Or maybe a drudge and some punny humans and the like.

[Vortigern]

Hiya,

So regarding the dividing up for the GR mission rewards for killing Uncle Halthy, I suggest the following:

• Divide the credit three ways. Sorrenson, Vort and Bryke get 1/3 each. Nice and simple.
• I expect you guys will want to keep the Ghost Star Fighter, so you should just keep it. I had thought of asking to swap the bigger one the GR has with the smaller one the GA has. So that the Drudge could fit in the hold. However you guys may want to keep it. Vort may eventually summon up a larger 'little friends' and the larger hold in the Ghost could be useful for that. Also, swapping that over would probably need the consent of too many people. Last but not least, it gives Sorrenson a good reason to buy another - smaller & sneaky - PA

Let me know what you guys think.

Given that there is no charter proscribing the method of divvying loot I would have no grounds for complaining about something as straightforward as equal shares. Normally I prefer to have a percentage allotted to a group fund, however I also can't deny that as you are leaving the group you would then be paying into a group fund you wouldn't benefit from afterwards. I can understand why you might prefer not to do that. (I might object under such circumstances myself.)

An even split of the 50m credits would leave each of us with 16,666,666 credits, and a remainder of 2 credits. In the interest of simplicity and quick resolution, you and Bryke can split it so you each get 16,666,667.

It appears there is nothing to resolve regarding the spacecraft.

Best wishes transitioning the Galactic Adventurers Sorrenson.

[Sorrenson]

Cool. Thanks Vort. Best of luck to you guys as well!

I've PM'd Bryke and asked him to post his input here.

[Bryke]

I concur sirs.

Tho, Vort allowing us to have the extra dollar felt fishy to me at first glance :/

[Vortigern]

I concur sirs.

Tho, Vort allowing us to have the extra dollar felt fishy to me at first glance :/

In what way?

[Zilant]

Been considering creating a Rifts character, and so far the Rogues are the only ones actively trying to recruit me. Was wondering if the players (and GM) think I would be better creating someone who does not yet know about the Sunaj that they are trying to recruit, or someone already in the Sunaj?

[Alvidan]

Have gotten as far as naming my character Alvadin and creating stats and narrowed my choices to about 3.

1) A Crystal Mage: I see this one as someone the team might be recruiting, not yet a Sunaj but with the right attitude and useful abilities.

2) A Major Psionic Sunaj Assassin: Probably with only psi sensitive abilities.

3) A Master Psionic Sunaj Assassin: Probably an "Outsider trained as a Psi-Ghost", though a Psi-Tech could eventually reach what I want.

(Note to GM: I had to conclude that Intangibility goes against a True Atlantean's inability to be transformed, so only the "Outsider" makes sense, though it means also having the Presence Sense reduced to the standard version as well)

Any Opinions on which would best fit the team?

[Érebos]

Sorry it took me a bit to see this, I've been gone most of the day (just checked in on hangouts on my phone) and don't check OOC posts as often as I probably should.

Any of those options should work. A few things:

1) if you are not Sunaj already, you'll want to be Aerhiman clan and pretty "nationalistic" and supremacist about True Atlanteans. Humans are usually considered pretty close so they aren't really looked "down" on as much as sort of seen like little brothers in a sense. Anything else - except for the truly awesome things like dragons, neo-Humans, Prometheans, etc... the stuff you'd probably find on the High Powered List - would likely be considered inferior. The more of this kind of stuff you make clear, the more the Sunaj will take notice and possibly develop until you're approached. Oh, and hate on the Splugorth. This will win you points.

Basically, walk in with a MTAGA (Make True Atlanteans Great Again) hat on and go on about how awesome TA are and how much you wish we had our heritage back and wish we could just retake Atlantis and annihilate the Splugorth - anything along those lines is Sunaj thinking, and will likely catch a Sunaj ear. Of course, if you go TOO far overboard, you might get other attention as well of the negative variety. Note: expect some "devil's advocate probing" on this - the Sunaj might push back a bit just to see how entrenched you really are, or if you're just posturing and wishy-washy... to "test your resolve", so to speak. Recall that the Sunaj are truly fanatical about their cause - willing to die for it without hesitation - and utterly committed. Sunaj training and screening ensures that only the most dedicated to the cause will make it. Anyone who's already Sunaj, you can rest assured, is absolutely invested and has zero doubts that what they are doing is the best thing for all True Atlanteans (and even humans on Earth too).

Also, FYI - no one in the Rogues knows the two Sunaj are True Atlanteans - yet (though, to be fair, we literally just joined in the last few posts). I imagine the secret won't be kept for too long, but as of now, we're just buff looking humans (Shadow Mage and Shadow Assassin don't have tattoos galore either, so it's not obvious just from looking at us, if we're covered, unlike a typical True Atlantean T-man who is covered with them.

As for Crystal Mage specifically - it could also be construed as CREATING shadows if you're clever - after all, shadows don't exist without light, right? So, it could work with some creativity.

2) Major Sunaj Assassin - I think this probably fits your "ninja" concept best. Sneaky, asssassin-y, able to go toe to toe (SN ps/pe and MDC) when necessary. I like it. Sunaj Assassins are the cream of the crop and the best that Sunaj/True Atlantean training can produce, even without master psionics, so you'd be a force to be reckoned with. You'd also get full tattoos and skills. There's a reason Sunaj Assassins are feared and spoken of in whispers.

3) Not sure how a hamstrung (how I view not having intangibility and enhanced presence sense) psi-ghost would fit. You'd lose a lot of what makes the psi-ghost, "ghost"-ish, IMO. There's really nothing you'd get that you couldn't get from MInd Melter or another psychic class, like psi-tech or psi-slayer. Without intangibility and presence sense, there isn't really much to distinguish a psi-ghost. I wouldn't have wanted to play mine without those abilities for sure

So, if I had to rank in order:

Best fit: 2 (major Sunaj Assassin)
decent fit, with a little role play, creativity and tweaking : Crystal Mage
not a fan: "outsider" psi-ghost without intangibility or enhanced presence sense. psi-tech or psi-slayer would be better, IMO. If you chose a psi-tech or psi-slayer, I'd put them up there with the other Sunaj Assassin in terms of fit.

[Alvidan]

What you said about the various suggestions is technically true.

1) The point of playing the character this way is the RP challenge of playing an Atlantean Supremacist well enough to be convincingly recruited. Doing so while playing a relatively low power character should make things interesting.

2) Major Psionic Sunaj is a decent character, been considering the question of what tattoos would be required.

3) I tend to find Mind Melters a bit overpowered, I think Psi-slayers may get to be that way as well though they are a possibility I have considered...though as i mentioned when I first suggested that combo it seems a natural fit (I had them as third or fourth on my Major Psionic list, with Intuitive Warrior as the other, then Zapper as fifth). I could not make Intangibility work with immunity to transformation by internal logic, though this does admittedly leave the "Lamed" Psi-ghost on a par with the Psi-tech, the main difference being the order in which they would get abilities.
@Level 3:
Psi-Ghost; Psionic Invisibility, Deaden Senses, Mind Block, Nightvision, Object Read, Machine Ghost, Telemechanics, 6 Sensitive/Physical, 1 Super of choice (And presumably Presence Sense)
Psi-tech; Superior Telemechanics, Telemechanic Mental Operation, Telemechanic Paralysis, Telemechanic Possession, Machine Ghost, Object Read, Speed Reading, Total Recall, 2 Sensitive powers, 2 Sensitive/Physical Powers, 1 Super Psionic

A Psi-Slayer at level 3 would be considerably different...

[Az Rael]

Alvidan, Just keep in mind the most important aspect is that you need to enjoy the character to want to play the character. If you are not wholeheartedly interested in the character you will be less likely to post as much. Pick the one that makes you most excited. We currently have a shadow mage and shadow assassin and two other folks working out ideas so the potential is there for lots of options.

[Alvidan]

I like a lot of things, it took me a long time to pare my thoughts down to just those three. Any of them would be interesting. For example a Psi-tech Sunaj might be a Boba/Jango Fett type, with lots of cool gizmos in his armor. A Major Psi Sunaj might be a more cautious hunter, relying more on stealth than on gear. A Crystal Mage would have to be cunning to make the most of relatively limited abilities.

Just had a question raised for me: How well do a Psi-tech's abilities even work without the skills that a Sunaj would not have?

[Vortigern]

An initial draft of a Group Charter has been posted here: https://www.google.com/url?q=http://exp ... CLbPCuPMew

Any proposed modifications, likes, dislikes, gripes etc. feel free to post in reply in the same thread. The Hangouts discussion gave me the impression some folks had several different ideas right off the bat for additions/modifications so I am holding off on a poll to approve/disapprove it for now. But I'd like to get cracking as a group and get it reviewed and voted on soon!

[Alvidan]

I am informed that someone else is looking at a Master Psionic Sunaj Assassin. I had pretty much concluded that I would not be playing one already, so that leaves the Major Psionic Sunaj Assassin and the Crystal Mage.

Looked over the Tattooed Voyager, but decided it is not for me (Looks most like the Atlantean equivalent of a Juicer to me...power at a suicidal price).

(May Reconsider the Psi-Tech. The Temporary knowledge his powers would give him might work if he has skills like Field Armorer and General Repair...)

[Dark Lords Sadistic Minion]

XP has been updated on your sheets. Congratulations to Erebos, you've leveled up!

[Alvidan]

Eventually did go with the Psi=tech, though it was a very tough choice. If it had been possible to purchase one or two "Super Psionic Powers" on a Major Psi, it would have been much better to go that way.

[Rogue Trader]

Day 6 since GM post; 3 of 4 posted.

[Rogue Trader]

Day 6 since GM post; 3 of 4 posted.

Day 11. Still 3/4 posted.

[Alvidan]

Not good, to hold up a game that long.

[Vortigern]

Some questions about our ships and how to deal with having two of them.

1: Does the Star Ghost (henceforth dubbed "No Target") fit into the bay of The Wrong Ship? Would there be any refitting necessary to facilitate making that possible? And/or could a refit give No Target reasonable accommodation for being serviced/fueled/rearmed in the bay of The Wrong Ship?

If any refitting is required/possible, what is the ballpark price-range and would there be any tradeoffs (such as lost cargo space etc.)? Would Thraxus be enthused enough about our increased stealth capabilities with a Star Ghost to be willing to fund any refit for this purpose?

I note that the Cargo Capacity of The Wrong Ship is described as 1k tons, and the Star Ghost is noted to weigh 40 tons. All other dimensions/geometry aside that would tend to indicate to me that something could/should be able to be worked out there?

2: Does The Wrong Ship have an ECM suite? I don't see one listed on the ship profile. If not how feasible would adding one to the ship be?

3: For evasion/escape purposes decoy buoys are a somewhat tried and true tactic. Could we get our hands on some decoys (buoys or probes or whatever) designed to take the attention away from us as we make our stealthy getaway?

4: I don't see any registration information listed for The Wrong Ship. Is it registered at all, and if so can we get some information about the legal identity/history of the ship?
-- Would it be possible to have some fake identities for the ship prepped, including prepared registration data and/or crew information? Has this been done before for the ship?
-- If possible this would potentially entail having identity papers/registrations prepared for the Crew as well, so we could believably execute an infiltration/landing at a port/facility using cover identities for ship and crew both.

Essentially I'm thinking ahead regarding moving such a ship without attracting undue attention and am curious as to exactly what we have to work with here.

5: The stealth system on The Wrong Ship is nice. I like having that. But it also makes me wonder how obvious/noticeable it is when we are doing something not terribly stealthy, like flying into a port to land. Do we stand out as an obvious 'sneaky ship', and/or heavily armed ship for our class? If so is there anything we can do about that to appear more "normal" when we want to? How configurable is the ship profile using this stealth system? Can we adjust our sensor signature and/or hull profile, or is it all rather static?

6: No Target is also a nice ship but is not a long range vessel. If it will not fit into the cargo bay of The Wrong Ship, what other alternatives do we have for maintaining access to both? Docking it to the exterior of The Wrong Ship would be less than ideal (and likely attract attention wherever we go) but it is an option?

[Alvidan]

1) Not if the dimensions of the cargo bay are as they appear. The "No Target" is too tall and wide to fit through the door, Mind, the map is not very accurate. The thing to remember is the smaller ship is mostly empty space (living area), so it takes up much more room than its mass indicates. Whether one could modify "The Wrong Ship" to accommodate is an issue of structural integrity,

2) ECM suites are fairly easy, though often illegal.

3) Decoys depend on what kind of sensors are being used, but could probably be built.

4) Not my specialty.

5) This question reminds me of one of the early "Han Solo" novels. I would have to study the stealth system and let you know.

6) an Exterior dock, using one of the escape pod berths as a docking port (that is, altering the bay into a passage that one could walk from ship to ship in) is probably easier to do that modifying the cargo bay.

[Rogue Trader]

GM post +4 days, 4/5 posted, 1 in tracker. Good job, guys.

[Consumer]

GM Note and Ruling that is universal on the site.


Do not assume success on your skills. Especially if you're character is trying to attain information. Wait for a GM to extrapolate what you have learned from your skill checks. It is assumptions that have caused this kerfuffle that I had to retcon four player posts for.

[Vortigern]

Just to be clear these questions were directed at our GM, Consumer. No particular rush, just wasn't sure they were taken that way.

Some questions about our ships and how to deal with having two of them.

1: Does the Star Ghost (henceforth dubbed "No Target") fit into the bay of The Wrong Ship? Would there be any refitting necessary to facilitate making that possible? And/or could a refit give No Target reasonable accommodation for being serviced/fueled/rearmed in the bay of The Wrong Ship?

If any refitting is required/possible, what is the ballpark price-range and would there be any tradeoffs (such as lost cargo space etc.)? Would Thraxus be enthused enough about our increased stealth capabilities with a Star Ghost to be willing to fund any refit for this purpose?

I note that the Cargo Capacity of The Wrong Ship is described as 1k tons, and the Star Ghost is noted to weigh 40 tons. All other dimensions/geometry aside that would tend to indicate to me that something could/should be able to be worked out there?

2: Does The Wrong Ship have an ECM suite? I don't see one listed on the ship profile. If not how feasible would adding one to the ship be?

3: For evasion/escape purposes decoy buoys are a somewhat tried and true tactic. Could we get our hands on some decoys (buoys or probes or whatever) designed to take the attention away from us as we make our stealthy getaway?

4: I don't see any registration information listed for The Wrong Ship. Is it registered at all, and if so can we get some information about the legal identity/history of the ship?
-- Would it be possible to have some fake identities for the ship prepped, including prepared registration data and/or crew information? Has this been done before for the ship?
-- If possible this would potentially entail having identity papers/registrations prepared for the Crew as well, so we could believably execute an infiltration/landing at a port/facility using cover identities for ship and crew both.

Essentially I'm thinking ahead regarding moving such a ship without attracting undue attention and am curious as to exactly what we have to work with here.

5: The stealth system on The Wrong Ship is nice. I like having that. But it also makes me wonder how obvious/noticeable it is when we are doing something not terribly stealthy, like flying into a port to land. Do we stand out as an obvious 'sneaky ship', and/or heavily armed ship for our class? If so is there anything we can do about that to appear more "normal" when we want to? How configurable is the ship profile using this stealth system? Can we adjust our sensor signature and/or hull profile, or is it all rather static?

6: No Target is also a nice ship but is not a long range vessel. If it will not fit into the cargo bay of The Wrong Ship, what other alternatives do we have for maintaining access to both? Docking it to the exterior of The Wrong Ship would be less than ideal (and likely attract attention wherever we go) but it is an option?

[Consumer]

1: Does the Star Ghost (henceforth dubbed "No Target") fit into the bay of The Wrong Ship? Would there be any refitting necessary to facilitate making that possible? And/or could a refit give No Target reasonable accommodation for being serviced/fueled/rearmed in the bay of The Wrong Ship?

If any refitting is required/possible, what is the ballpark price-range and would there be any tradeoffs (such as lost cargo space etc.)? Would Thraxus be enthused enough about our increased stealth capabilities with a Star Ghost to be willing to fund any refit for this purpose?

I note that the Cargo Capacity of The Wrong Ship is described as 1k tons, and the Star Ghost is noted to weigh 40 tons. All other dimensions/geometry aside that would tend to indicate to me that something could/should be able to be worked out there?

It'll fit, It won't be quick to launch. Though the Cargo bay of the Wrong Ship isn't designed to be used as a Launch/Refueling/rearmament bay.
The ballpark range of the refit would be several million credits. likely around 25 million would be my guess.
How much cargo space would be lost. Approximately half.
Would Thraxus be enthused: You would have to ask him.

2: Does The Wrong Ship have an ECM suite? I don't see one listed on the ship profile. If not how feasible would adding one to the ship be?

No; one could be installed.

3: For evasion/escape purposes decoy buoys are a somewhat tried and true tactic. Could we get our hands on some decoys (buoys or probes or whatever) designed to take the attention away from us as we make our stealthy getaway?

It's certainly possible.

4: I don't see any registration information listed for The Wrong Ship. Is it registered at all, and if so can we get some information about the legal identity/history of the ship?

-- Would it be possible to have some fake identities for the ship prepped, including prepared registration data and/or crew information? Has this been done before for the ship?
-- If possible this would potentially entail having identity papers/registrations prepared for the Crew as well, so we could believably execute an infiltration/landing at a port/facility using cover identities for ship and crew both.

Essentially I'm thinking ahead regarding moving such a ship without attracting undue attention and am curious as to exactly what we have to work with here.[/quote]

-It's registered as the Wrong Ship. Holt had that done a while back. It has no legal history from this point as the old information has been expunged. It was originally named something else and had quite the history.
-Sure, just need to find someone able to do it.
-As above.

5: The stealth system on The Wrong Ship is nice. I like having that. But it also makes me wonder how obvious/noticeable it is when we are doing something not terribly stealthy, like flying into a port to land. Do we stand out as an obvious 'sneaky ship', and/or heavily armed ship for our class? If so is there anything we can do about that to appear more "normal" when we want to? How configurable is the ship profile using this stealth system? Can we adjust our sensor signature and/or hull profile, or is it all rather static?

Turn off the Stealth system when you don't want to use it. It's a static bonus.

6: No Target is also a nice ship but is not a long range vessel. If it will not fit into the cargo bay of The Wrong Ship, what other alternatives do we have for maintaining access to both? Docking it to the exterior of The Wrong Ship would be less than ideal (and likely attract attention wherever we go) but it is an option?

A docking ring would work, but make The Wrong Ship ungainly (Penalties to piloting)

[Vortigern]

Can we get an estimate on how slow comparatively then the deployment and/or landing of the No Target would be in hold?

Could any further refit be done to the cargo doors to facilitate a more rapid transition?

[Consumer]

Can we get an estimate on how slow comparatively then the deployment and/or landing of the No Target would be in hold?

Could any further refit be done to the cargo doors to facilitate a more rapid transition?

several minutes, and it would be a pricey retrofit to the ship.

[Érebos]

Can we get an estimate on how slow comparatively then the deployment and/or landing of the No Target would be in hold?

Could any further refit be done to the cargo doors to facilitate a more rapid transition?

several minutes, and it would be a pricey retrofit to the ship.

Would it cost more than a docking ring as described?

And would the docking ring itself cause the penalties you mentioned, or only while No Target was docked on it?

[Consumer]

Would it cost more than a docking ring as described?

And would the docking ring itself cause the penalties you mentioned, or only while No Target was docked on it?

Yes, and only while docked.

[Vortigern]

I will be taking a hiatus from the site. I have not decided when or if I will return. I'll be transferring my characters into inactive slots shortly. Anyone wishing further contact with me is free to contact me directly on hangouts.

[Rogue Trader]

Galactic Rogues Posting Debrief

I have noticed some player's posting styles this quad have not been ideal per EU standards. In an effort to help everyone improve, I've collected my thoughts here.

CAVEAT LECTOR

This is intended to improve everyone's experience, and I'll do so in as diplomatic a manner as I can - I'm not trying to cast aspersions on anyone's posting style or lay blame for poor XP or post-rates or EP awards. If you feel called out by anything here, stop being a diaper baby.

How to Earn more XP and EP in GR

We have a new XP system in place this quad, and that affects everything, going forward. In light of that, Here's a guide that I hope you'll find useful as you craft your posts.

XP

Posts must sill meet site standards, as set out here.

The first post following a GM post must have Perception and Just in Case rolls. Subsequent posts should not have them - just indicate that rolls are being carried forward.

XP is now awarded by meeting (or failing to meet) criteria listed by Dark Lord here.

The minimum a post should have is the perception, JIC rolls, dialogue (when possible - remember people can and do talk to themselves but if your character is sneaking or holding your breath ( a lesson I learned the hard way) then do as the situation dictates), internal monologue (i.e., thoughts), and a description of what you're doing.

In brief:

• Perc roll
  JIC rolls (d20, d100)
  "Dialogue"
  Thoughts
  Actions

This group has done well with the JIC/Perception rolls, and making sure they are where they need to be, so I'll skip talking about that.

Skills must have some description of the intended effect, and must be used in furtherance of some goal. Note that although XP is no longer awarded per skill use, you DO get XP for creative problem solving. Like so:

Diplomacy: 20% 1d100 = 1: 1 (to not piss my players off - SUCCESS )

Dialogue is in "Bold Text with quotation marks".

Code: Select all

[b]"Bold Text with quotation marks"[/b]

Thoughts are in italics.

Code: Select all

[i]italics[/i]

If you're putting your thoughts in unitalicized narrative (some of you do this) you are making me, the AGM, interpret which thoughts are yours and which thoughts are your character's. I don't want to do this. Don't make me do this. I may get it wrong, and it won't be me who pays the price.


To quote another player, you place quote tags around what they said (with bolding and qotation marks where necessary)

"Like So"

Code: Select all

[quote="Me"][b]"Like So"[/b][/quote]

It's acceptable to trim out narrative, but not to change what they said.



Maximizing your XP

So - you've met all the minimum criteria. What's next?

• Clever ideas
• Evoking an emotional response from the GM other than anger
• Roleplaying in-character under challenging circumstances
• Being posted within the first 4 days of a major GM post

"Housekeeping" posts - posts that are mere RP responses to other players, while sometimes necessary, don't count as "qualifying posts" for determining EP, and won't net you a lot of XP either. For that to happen, you have to exceed the minimum criteria.

Clever ideas count - so, in planning sessions, spitballing clever ideas to solve problems - even if it's not the solution that works, could net you XP, if it's clever.

Make me laugh. Make me cry. Don't piss me off. (This means less sniping at other players and more playing in character - and that's a note for everyone) Intragroup conflict is annoying for everyone.

Stay in Character - most of you do this - though some of you write narrative from a third-person point of view. As you write, try to think as your character would in that situation. Instead of "Jeff doesn't like to bother with long explanations for his choices", try some inner monologue: Guh... Long explanations are so BORING. Let's get on with it!, or some dialogue "Yeah... exposition isn't my thing. Sorry.", and throw in some action: "Jeff sighs and shrugs as Marlon asks his rationale for burning down the village". There's an old rule in storytelling that'll help you stay in character: Show, don't tell.

And, as always, post early, post often.

Increasing your EP throughput

What do I mean by EP throughput? It's simple.

How much EP did you spend on this character this quad? How much did this character earn? Ideally you want the equation Earnings - Expenditures to equal a positive number. That's throughput.

How do you increase your EP, though?

EP is awarded by post rate, which is determined by "qualified posts". What's a qualified post?

A Qualified Post is any post that exceeds the GM's minimum criteria.

Post rate is determined by dividing the qualified posts by the standard of 14 GM posts (which is adjusted if necessary). SO - post often, and exceed minimum criteria as much as possible. Shoot for 14 or more high quality posts per quad, and the EP will come. If you want to increase throughput, make sure your EP expenditures don't overtake your expected EP haul - which you can control yourself by turning in the appropriate number of high-quality posts.

As with anything else, you are going to get more out of the game the more you put into it.

Final note

If you have questions about how to do something in a post, mechanically (like quoting or rolling dice a particular way), Ask.

If you have questions about what you can see or do where your character is, Ask.

If you have quesitons about how to better meet criteria, Ask.

[Consumer]

Perception: 24% | Invalid dice code!
JiC d20/d100: Invalid dice code! / Invalid dice code!
Initiative: Invalid dice code!
Isp:

Conditions:
Resist Damage - isp: 25 / dur: 15 mins / takes half damage from any fall, impact, punch, bullet, or energy attack, even if the damage is magic or psionic / the field absorbs the first 5 S.D.C. or Hit Points of damage from each attack.

Enhance Reflexes - isp: 10 / dur: 6 mins / +1 attack per melee, +3 on initiative, +1 to strike, +2 to parry and dodge / +2 to P.P. (adding further bonuses to strike/parry/dodge if boosted to 16 or higher) / +15% to all Physical skills that rely on coordination or balance.

Telekinetic Leap - isp: 8 / dur: 1 leap / At 3rd = +6 ft up / +9 ft across)


Post -
Brackus takes a moment to analyse the situation he has found himself in. ”WTF?? People attacking the guards…. AND ME?!” With a grunt, Brackus activated his body field, then seeing that his cold breath didn't work as intended, he tries something else. ”Lets try lightning.” As his chest thing uses it’s tentacle to grab the guard from brackus, reeling him in headfirst, and chomping on him, Brackus lets loose a lightning bolt from his mouth aimed towards one of the two guards shooting at him. All the while moving in an erratic fashion ((DODGING)).

As he moves, he will use his tentacles to grab at the 2nd guard. ”Alright Gang, it time to fight. No Mercy.” With a Tk boost, Brackus propels himself at the 2nd guard. As he moves he activates his psi shield. Using all his strength he leaps in an attempt to tackle guard, while his tentacles reach out to grab his target. Once his has a hold of his prey, Brackus lets loose a torrent of flame with a belch.

Assault -
Number of Attacks: 5 +1 from tentacles +1 dragon breathe
Hold guard for chest thing to grab / use as shield
Lightning Breath at 2st guard - Strike Invalid dice code! / Invalid dice code! MD damage
Activate TK Leap -
And 5) Leap attack (tackle) at 2nd guard - Strike Invalid dice code! / Invalid dice code! MD damage
Free - Activate Psi Shield -
Dodges: Invalid dice code!
Free 1) Tentacles - Full Strength Punch - Strike Invalid dice code! / Invalid dice code! MD damage
Free 2) Dragon breathe - Invalid dice code!

Symbiote: Chest Amalgamate
A1) Tentacle bite - Called shot: Head/ neck - strike: Invalid dice code! Damage: Invalid dice code! MD grab and reel in to mouth
A2) Chest Mouth Bite - Called shot: Head/ neck - strike: Invalid dice code! Damage: Invalid dice code! MD

Perception: 1d100 = 69: 69/24%
Just in Case: 1d20 = 6: 6/ 1d100 = 32: 32
Conditions:
Resist Damage (Duration: 15 mins; 1/2 damage from fall, impact, punch, bullet, or energy attack, even magic or psionic; the field absorbs the first 5 S.D.C. /Hit Points of damage from each attack.) Enhance Reflexes (Duration: 6 mins; +1 attack, +3 initiative, +1 to strike, +2 to parry/dodge, +2 to P.P. (adding further bonuses to strike/parry/dodge if boosted to 16 or higher) / +15% to all Physical skills that rely on coordination or balance.)
Amplified Hearing, Heat Detection (60' range), Superior Sense of Smell (See Symbiote: Free Breather), Impervious to mind control and empathic transmission (Symbiote: Absur Life Node), Symbiote: Musical Nymph (Magic/Psionics that instill strong emotions have 1/2 Effect.), Microbe: Transfortifiers (Impervious to Cold & Heat (Magical as well.), Polarized Infra-red Eyes (Infrared and ultraviolet light. 20/20 vision.), Zero G Combat (Basic) (only -3 penalty to combat rolls).

Initiative: 1d20+15 = 35: 20
Attacks per Melee: Brackus: 5 +1 Tentacle Attack, +1 Dragon Breath Attack. Chest Amalgamate: 4

Action One: Brackus activates Psychic Body Field (30 I.S.P.; Duration: 8 minutes, 40 M.D.C.)
Chest Amalgamate Action One: Called Shot Head Tentacle strike on grappled guard. (Strike: 1d20-3 = 9: 12; Damage: 1d4-3 = 0: 3 M.D.)
Action Two: Breathe Lightning Breath (Range: 200'; Storm Breather Symbiote) at one of the Guards attacking me. (Strike: 1d20-3 = 10: 13; Damage: 2d6 = 3: 2, 1 M.D.
Chest Amalgamate Action Two: Called Shot head Bite. (Strike: 1d20-3 = 7: 10; Damage: 1d4-3 = -2: 1 M.D. plus 3d6 = 10: 4, 2, 4 M.D. (Poison; Save for half)
Action Three: Activate TK Leap and attack guard. (Strike: 1d20+11 = 27: 16; Damage: 6d6-3 = 12: 2, 3, 4, 3, 1, 2 M.D.
Ches Amalgamate Action Three: None listed, not sure if this was on purpose or not.
Action Four: Activate Psi Shield (30 I.S.P.; Duration : 20 minutes, 80 M.D.C.)
Chest Amalgamate Action Four: None listed, not sure if this was on purpose or not.
Action Five: Reserved for Dodge. This is necessary if you follow the template for combat posts
Free Additional Tentacle Attack: Attack Nearest guard with Reconstruction Tentacle. (Strike: 1d20+11 = 17: 6; Damage: 5d6-3 = 11: 5, 2, 4, 2, 1
Free Dragon's Breath Attack: Use Dragon Breath (30' range) attack on Nearest guard. (Strike: 1d20-3 = 8: 11; Damage: 4d6 = 10: 6, 1, 2, 1


Contingency: If Tentacle strike fail to grab Guard, continue holding him.

Parries (As Needed, using guard currently held): 1d20+13 = 19: 6, 1d20+13 = 31: 18, 1d20+13 = 16: 3, 1d20+13 = 14: 1, 1d20+13 = 22: 9.
Parries with Psi-Shield if applicable: 1d20+13 = 27: 14, 1d20+13 = 15: 2, 1d20+13 = 15: 2, 1d20+13 = 20: 7, 1d20+13 = 32: 19.
Dodges if Health reduced to 50% (or other reason you would dodge): 1d20+10 = 26: 16, 1d20+10 = 14: 4, 1d20+10 = 13: 3, 1d20+10 = 17: 7, 1d20+10 = 30: 20.

And here would be where I would post my narrative in third person present tense, with thoughts and actions and possible speech (Brackus is excluded usually because he is a mute).

---

To inform everyone, I do not tend to read your posts before looking at your combat actions. If you look at Ryan's and Jim's post you'll see that they use actions to talk (Which they should in the circumstances here) and that's when I reference your post to see what is said. As you can see the combat post of this contains all the information a GM might need to determine what your character is doing. It makes notes of attacks and targets, and has all the other necessary dice rolls.

Second note: Post all of your actions as actions, and then post an equal amount of dodge and parry rolls underneath with what would trigger you to use your dodges (parries are free for the most part). I take from your last action first, then move up as needed. This way if you haven't been attacked in a way that requires a dodge, then you have more attacks/actions.

third note: If you notice all of your combat info is in the same place, I'm not posting initiative somewhere and then actions somewhere else. This is site standard and has been for over a decade, please follow it, I'd hate to miss information because I was in a hurry. Like I almost did in my current GM post, I was not certain Alvidan actually posted Initiative until I searched his post.

Fourth Note: Post all of the pertinent information in your Conditions, as you can see I found more stuff that Brackus ever posted, that could prove useful in a combat situation.

Final Note: This is for combat posts, I do not need initiative rolls in non-combat situations. Please still put all of your conditions up, I find those useful.

[Rogue Trader]

Quad 2 Debrief

The critiques I posted last quad still apply, and lessons learned from them should be carried forward. Please ensure your posts meet the listed expectations and follow the posted format guidelines. I have been asked to grade my players a bit more strictly going forward, and I'm happy to comply, so it will be up to you to ensure that these expectations are met in a way that is not up for debate. Learn the format. Love the format. Use the format.

As a side note: I will no longer be considering any "exceeds expectations" criteria if the "minimum expectations" criteria have not been met. The grace period for the new XP system is over.

I've noticed 2 other main issues this quad, and those are Playing in character and formatting combat posts correctly. I'll deal with these in turn.

---

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 concretize 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.

Dime Store Magic also wrote a list of questions specifically for Phase World, to help you establish potential reactions in likely scenarios. These are:

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 the character he react 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 the character he react 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.

---

Formatting Combat posts

Consumer has posted his combat posts expectations here.

For the purposes of making sure combat posts are uniform, here's a template:

Code: Select all

Perception:  1d20 = 2: 2 / XX% (post your character's Perc bonuses and percent total here - indicate [color=#008000]SUCCESS[/color] or [color=#FF0000]FAILURE[/color] using appropriate color)
Just in Case:  1d20 = 2: 2 /  1d20 = 2: 2
Conditions: Things that may be important to the post, like sixth sense or regeneration (with the die rolls)

XX skill  1d20 = 2: 2 / XX%  (If you roll any skills, they go here - delete this if not.  If you post a skill, say what it's for - indicate [color=#008000]SUCCESS[/color] or [color=#FF0000]FAILURE[/color] using appropriate color)

Initiative:  1d20 = 2: 2 (put your initiative bonus in the X)
Number of attacks: XX (make sure this is correct and applies any conditions that affect your APM)

Action 1: Strike with XX  1d20 = 2: 2; Damage Invalid dice code!; [b]"short dialogue during an attack"[/b]
Action 2: Strike with XX  1d20 = 2: 2; Damage Invalid dice code!; [b]"short dialogue during an attack"[/b]
Action 3: Strike with XX  1d20 = 2: 2; Damage Invalid dice code!; [b]"short dialogue during an attack"[/b]

Parries (if applicable): 1)  1d20 = 2: 2; 2)   1d20 = 2: 2 (add one for each APM, ensure your parry bonus is correct)
Dodges (Will dodge if XXXX): 1)  1d20 = 2: 2; 2)   1d20 = 2: 2 (add one for each APM, ensure your dodge bonus is correct)
Auto-Dodge: 1)  1d20 = 2: 2; 2)   1d20 = 2: 2 (add one for each APM, ensure your autododge bonus is correct - DELETE THIS LINE IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AUTODODGE)

Any contingencies you might need would go here, and will follow this format:

[u]If (condition X)[/u], character will:

Contingent action 1:
Contingent action 2:
Contingent action 3:

(will otherwise follow the format above)

At this point in your post, enter the narrative of how your character responds to what they perceive, their [i]thoughts as the action progresses[/i], and you may repeat any [b]"dialogue"[/b] listed in your actions above - this part of your post should be formatted as normal.

SAMPLE COMBAT POST

Perception: 1d100 = 25: 25 / 32% (SUCCESS)
Just in Case: 1d20 = 2: 2 / 1d100 = 82: 82
Conditions: Stunned (-4 Parry, Dodge, And Strike)

Intelligence 1d100 = 48: 48 / 36% (Try to determine if my attackers are part of an organized militia - FAILURE)

Initiative: 1d20+4 = 13: 9
Number of attacks: 4

Action 1: Strike with Blasto-Hammer 1d20-4 = 8: 12; Damage 2d6+6 = 12: 2, 4; "Who ARE you!?!"
Action 2: Strike with Blasto-Hammer 1d20-4 = 6: 10; Damage 2d6+6 = 11: 4, 1
Action 3: Strike with Blasto-Hammer 1d20-4 = 0: 4; Damage 2d6+6 = 11: 4, 1; "Doesn't matter... DIE!"

Parries (if applicable (Parry bonus is +6, -4 for stun): 1) 1d20+2 = 8: 6; 2) 1d20+2 = 21: 19; 3) 1d20+2 = 14: 12
Dodges (Will dodge if the enemy only engages at range; dodge bonus is +3, -4 for stun): 1) 1d20-1 = 12: 13; 2) 1d20-1 = 18: 19; 3) 1d20-1 = 13: 14

If the enemy try to flee, Jeff radios his team while holding the area
Contingent action 1: "Targets retreating!"

Jeff is worried as the room fills with human attackers. As they level their guns at him, he swings into action, firing at them with his patented BLASTO-HAMMER. "Who ARE you!?!"

He tries to determine if they are part of a military or paramilitary group he recognizes. Are they Espladon's Regiment? Can't be... they all died on Argus Prime! He jukes and ducks, continuing to fire, taunting the enemy. "Doesn't matter... DIE!" He chokes a bit on the dust resulting from missed shots striking the plaster walls, and the smell of ozone from the Blasto-Hammer's exhaust, and his feet struggle to find solid purchase on the debris-strewn floor. But he grinds his heels in and presses the attack.

If they retreat, he radios his team and holds the room. We'll need this area if we're going to want to free the prisoners!


The goals with this format are to:
A) Keep similar rolls together in one place
2) Group combat actions in a clearly-demarked way
iii) Just make all in-combat actions as clear and realistic as possible.

This means no, mid-strike soliloquys - keep in-combat chatter short (but definitely include it if appropriate).

This also means do NOT ignore the narrative part of your thread. It just comes last, and it still has the same expectations for introspection, dialogue, and description of actions. A combat post without the narrative is going to have a very hard time meeting the minimum expectations.

[Karl]

Hey so now that things have kind of calmed down for me IRL, would you folk be open to having Kesslan join?

[Alvidan]

Hey so now that things have kind of calmed down for me IRL, would you folk be open to having Kesslan join?

Out of character, none as long as you can work with the other players. In character, it will be harder to keep Sunaj secrets as more people join, but the Psi-tech would have no reason to object, so Alvidan would not.

[Kesslan]

Ok, account's reactivated, I just need my sheet moved from the PW Inactive area to here and should be all set!

[Az Rael]

Rotated and corrected

[Kesslan]

So I was looking over the group gear list and thought I might toss in a few suggestions:


Get some sort of NE Ripper Blade version of these:

5 Commando Survival Knife
Damage: 2D4 S.D.C.; can be used to cut wood.

Sell these:

2 Vibro-Knife (Ripper blades which are silver plated, and cheap enchanted blades tend to be much better)
Wrong Ship armoury:
Damage: 1D6 M.D.
10 Vibro-Knife
Damage: 1D6 M.D.

1 Laser Sub-Machine Gun (This is fine for rifts earth, not so much phase world)
Damage: 2D6+1 M.D. (Single Shot) 5D6 M.D. (3-round pulse)
Range: 1,000'
Rate of Fire: Standard.
Payload: 21 single blasts (7 pulse bursts) Standard E-Clip, 36 single blasts (12 pulse bursts) Long E-clip.
Wrong Ship armoury:
2 Laser Sub-Machine Gun
Damage: 2D6+1 M.D. (Single Shot) 5D6 M.D. (3-round pulse)
Range: 1,000'
Rate of Fire: Standard.
Payload: 21 single blasts (7 pulse bursts) Standard E-Clip, 36 single blasts (12 pulse bursts) Long E-clip.


3 Hi-50 Laser Rifle (You have HI-80's which are better)
• Range: 2,000 feet
• Damage: 3D6+6 M.D. (Single shot), 1D6x10+10 (3-rd Pulse)
• Rate of Fire: Single or Pulse burst.
• Payload: 30 Shots

Knock–off CR-1 Rocket Launcher (CR-1's are really low end rocket launchers, both Rifts Earth and Phase World have much better versions with magazine feeds)
• Range: about 1 mile
• Damage: varies by missile type
• Rate of Fire: one missile. a two man team can load and fire 3 missiles per melee
• Payload: 1 missile, a carrying side-pack can hold 6 mini-missiles. a backpack can hold 12, and a portable carrying case (10 MDC) can hold 24
• Modifiers:

(NE Grenades of the same type are much better and pretty cheap given how much MDC things have in the setting. Alternatively we could possibly break these down and use them to make other explosives)
25 Fragmentation grenades: 2D6 M.D. to a 20 foot (6 m) area.
25 Light High Explosive grenades: 3D6 M.D. to a 6 foot (1.8 m) area.
17 Heavy High Explosive grenades: 4D6 M.D. to a 6 foot (1.8 m) area.

Wrong Ship armoury:
25 Fragmentation grenades: 2D6 M.D. to a 20 foot (6 m) area.
25 Light High Explosive grenades: 3D6 M.D. to a 6 foot (1.8 m) area.
18 Heavy High Explosive grenades: 4D6 M.D. to a 6 foot (1.8 m) area

(Sell or Break these down and buy K-Hex mini missiles for the same reason as the grenades)
15 High Explosive Mini-Missiles
20 Fragmentation Mini-Missiles

[Augur]

I have organized and vastly expanded the number of channels on Discord.
EU's Discord server set-up now mirrors that of Hangouts, only better.
Every group and game has its own channel.
Come join us! https://discord.gg/MhfX6hD

[Alvidan]

I have been unable to play this character both properly according to what I intended him to be and also adequately according to the GM expectations for the game. As such, I have come to the conclusion it is best I withdraw from the game an focus on other things.

My apologies for any difficulty this may cause.

[Az Rael]

Az Rael Downtime requests

Sell Coffin

[Mungo]

Mungo has no downtime requirements at the moment.