Down in the Gutter: OOC, The Nuts and Bolts of Staying Alive Options

[Bearclaw]

I'm here and completely willing to have you back as GM. Thanks, I'd just about given up.

[Slipshade]

Yee-fuckin-haw! We gots ourselves a rodeo kids. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Nice Vegas. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[WinterRat1]

A note on my latest post for Aziz.

I struggled for a long time whether or not to write the spoilered part. It is an extremely harsh, violent, and brutal scene, and I strongly urge anyone with a sensitive or faint heart NOT to read it.

You will note I broke two of my own posting rules to both spoiler the post and break the IC wall to warn everyone not to open it unless they think they can handle it. I did that because the section contained therein is an unflinchingly horrific portrayal of the scene in question.

I ultimately decided to write the spoilered part because I believe it significantly adds to the post by doing an excellent job of smacking the reader in the face with just how violent and disgusting your little corner of Kingsgate is, even amongst the ordinary citizens. This is NOT a nice place, and this scene and its detailed description drives that point home with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer to the face.

If you want to see one of the ways I have chosen to portray this darkness of the soul, go ahead and read it, but know in advance that you have been warned.

It is not strictly necessary for anyone, including Voorhees, to read it to understand the main point of the post and respond, but it definitely adds to the reader's picture of the world of the October Ravens to read it.

I have never written anything so graphic or overtly sexualized, and certainly nothing as violent in its sexuality as this post. For those who do read it, I would very much appreciate your feedback because I will need to portray sexual encounters, many of a brutal and violent nature, in the future; because that is a realistic picture of the world you live in.

I told everyone in the beginning this game will force you to dig very deeply into your characters’ personal ethics and morality, and in doing so there would be a high probability you personally will feel uncomfortable, that reading some of what I write will make you squirm.

I believe that a failure to honestly represent the depravity of Kingsgate and its denizens would ultimately do them and our game a disservice, and that is why I wrote this post, and will write others like it, in the future if and when the situation calls for it.

I won’t force anyone to read certain scenes (not all of the brutal posts will be sexual in nature, but they will all be pretty darn nasty in their own way), it’s entirely up to you how deep into the rabbit hole you want to go.

But for those who do go in, I would like your feedback to ensure I do those scenes justice by writing them well, not just graphically or sensationally. I want to convey a clear feeling and picture of the scene, the people, and the world, not just beat you over the head with disgusting descriptive language. Since this style of writing for this particular subject material is treading new ground for me, your assistance in quality control is appreciated.

For those who don’t go in, I understand completely. We’re here to play a game and have fun, not scar anyone. Just know that these scenes will happen again, and you will need to choose to avoid them, because I won’t shrink back from painting Kingsgate exactly as the hellhole it is.

Any comments, thoughts, questions, or concerns are more than welcome. As I said, I’m treading new ground here and I want to know how you all feel about it, since this is our game, not mine. I eagerly (but with some trepidation) await your replies.

[Slipshade]

Disturbing, but yes it conveyed the horror. I questioned writing and submitting some of Baby's background too, but I think I got a much better grasp of how she is after doing so. The only thing I would worry about is whether or not the DSF will have a problem with the language or portrail of the act in question.

As for the writing, yes it was graphic, disturbing and very effective. It made me uncomfortable reading it, but that was the point so good job.

Oh, you may want to add that it is only for those 18 years of age or older.

[WinterRat1]

Already cleared it with the mods. They told me that since game threads are generally limited to a very small, select audience (typically only the players themselves, plus occasionally a few interested spectators), they allow us to police ourselves, assuming we will determine what is and is not appropriate for our game by general consensus.

Unless someone complains they don't make it a habit of reading through the game threads to determine appropriateness since it's assumed the audience in question will self-evaluate and take care of the matter internally, and the wider DSF population is not exposed to the material, so it's functionally a non-issue to them.

Hence why I ask the opinion of those who choose to read the section.

[Slipshade]

Already cleared it with the mods. They told me that since game threads are generally limited to a very small, select audience (typically only the players themselves, plus occasionally a few interested spectators), they allow us to police ourselves, assuming we will determine what is and is not appropriate for our game by general consensus.

Unless someone complains they don't make it a habit of reading through the game threads to determine appropriateness since it's assumed the audience in question will self-evaluate and take care of the matter internally, and the wider DSF population is not exposed to the material, so it's functionally a non-issue to them.

Hence why I ask the opinion of those who choose to read the section.

Ahhh. Well write on good sir, write on.

[WinterRat1]

Good idea Slip, I edited it, just to be on the safe side. Obviously that won't actually stop anyone under 18 from reading it if they choose to, but it's good to cover our bases in case it becomes an issue later.

I highly doubt we have anyone under the age of 18 in our game, just judging from the subject material of this campaign, the stringent restrictions/demands for entry, and general post and player quality. But you never know, and it's better safe than sorry.

[Fresno Bob]

Holy cow. Man that took me kinda by surprise.

You wrote it well, WinterRat, and I didn't find it sexualized at all. Kudos.

Anyway, for Aziz's attack.

Kalila (8P)
Blades 11 + Charging 2 - Called Shot(DV+4) 4 = 9 dice

[6] [5] 1 4 3 [6] [6] [5]

So, 5 hits at a base of 12P damage

Hopefully that takes him out. Hopefully. If you want to fast forward the fight after that, Aziz will attack the troll in her mouth until he's dead, then the one behind her, and finally the one laying down. If it's prudent for him to do so as well, Aziz's SMG will come out and start spitting some hot leaden death.

I suspect Aziz won't be in such great shape when he's done with this.

[WinterRat1]

Well you returned the favor with your sudden and brutal attack, which I didn't expect (I thought you'd at least talk first). Since you caught me so completely off guard, I automatically gave you surprise over everyone else.

Quick mechanical note, how did you get a base damage of 8P for Kalila?

I have your STR of 6, which gives me base weapon damage of (6/2)+3 = 6, +1 for Arnis De Mano, for 7P and -1AP.

Adding in your called shot gives me 11P. Where are you getting the extra +1P?

In this case it's irrelevant because your initial strike took him out, but let me know for future reference.

In the IC post I'm about to put up they're going to be talking to you, so if you continue the fight roll initiative and we'll handle the fight in the OOC thread since it's very small in scale.

If you choose to talk and not keep fighting (at least for the moment) just post IC until the fight resumes, if it does.

[Fresno Bob]

Hmm, I guess when I wrote it down when I first made the character sheet, I made a mistake and never caught it. I'll fix it on the wiki.

I'm honestly going to admit that the idea of talking it out never occurred to me... I guess I need to try to focus less on kick in the door and kill the monster style play.

[WinterRat1]

Hahahhahaha!

Well like I said above, the idea that you'd just kick in the door and start killing people never occurred to me either, so I guess we're even. If we were playing a more subtle/finesse oriented game that might be a problem, but in this game, with these people, Aziz fits in just fine.

Of course, that mentality did get the 410 Crash into trouble before, as I recall...(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Fresno Bob]

Well, like Shade says on the Wiki, Aziz will start a fight because he can.

[WinterRat1]

Then his actions just now were certainly true to form.

Grendel - Along with your next IC post, roll Charisma + Con or Leadership. Con if you're misrepresenting your actual position, Leadership if you're genuinely trying to sway him with the truth.

[grendel]

Charisma + Leadership (7 dice) = 3, 6, 2, 6, 5, 3, 1 (3 hits)

[Fresno Bob]

If you need me to make an intimidation roll, let me what know what modifiers I have.

[Mister Juan]

@WR1
Felix will keep watch on the astral.

[Lindt]

Childs message is to all Ravens(and in one case others) that he knows, and have a comlink, and are in range, either by direct broadcast (peer to peer), or in matrix range as the case may be.

[WinterRat1]

Voorhees - No need to make an Intimidation roll, they're already quite intimidated. I'll post the results of your intimidation in my IC response.

Lindt, Vegas, Pragma - Only Thumper and Nevada will receive Child's message. Everyone else is out of range/the signal won't go through.

Mister Juan - Noted.

[rob]

Just noted new action. Been away for a little.

WR, you pegged it right, I'm equally happy to remain a player. would love to get back in, and will catch up on the reading/posting as available.

v/r
rob

[Bearclaw]

WR, I'm still holding.
Twiggs and I anticipated that it might go this way. The plan is that if things go south Twiggs will get to the door, even if he get's popped in the mouth a couple of times, and I'll hold them up when they come out. I'm only going in if he looks like he's in real danger, cause we don't want to go robbing people in Plastic Sushi. That's trouble that we really don't want.
Now if someone pulls a gun, or he gets beat down and they start kicking, I'll go in guns blazing, but only if it's a real emergency.

PS, I read the other posts, and I thought you did just fine. Graphic without being gratuitous. Good job.

[Meriss]

Dear great googly moogly!


YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEFUCKINGHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Welcome back Winter. It's great to have you back. Okay, so who we gonna kill?

(Lousy hummngbird attention span not figureing this out earlier)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

@Winter: Did any of us a the church get Child's message?

[ElFenrir]

Heya!

Ok, I see this is OOC, so I figured it's ok to post.

According to the Wikisite, you're recruiting? Or...not? The forum says one thing, the wiki another. I just was curious, because I'm kind of curious to try this out.

[Slipshade]

Elfenrir - The wiki is wrong. I will look into changing it. That being said it will really be WR1's call.

Though I have to admit "kind of curious to try this out" doesn't give me a much of a vote of confidence. Most of the players here are seriously sick in the head dedicated (myself included).

I just want you to know what you are getting into if you do try to get in the game. I would say that if you are serious, go back and read all of the wiki, OOC and IC and I do mean all of it. Believe me, those of us that may look over your potential character will be able to tell whether or not you have. Character building and 20 questions usually takes about a month or so before you get approval.

[ElFenrir]

Oh, well, when I say ''kind of curious'', don't mind my usual understatement of things. I'm known to write novels out of 20 questions for my characters. Deep characters that I can get into is just my thing, don't worry about that. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grinbig.gif)

I've been reading the wiki; starting with the beginning, reading all of the characters, the deal with it, etc. I had a concept for this for quite a while, actually(from when i first saw the thread), but I didn't get a chance to get in on time. Well, I'll continue reading the wiki in any case.

[Vegas]

@ Slip - Don't worry about the wiki, I'll get to changing that ASAP (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Wiki-Mistress back in the house and all (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

@ElFenrir + @ChipheadCharley- Since WR1 and I have been talking about "recruiting" as of late along with the restarting of the game I can give you a little heads up as to what's going on there. We're NOT actively recruiting in the sense of having a thread up and amassing submissions to be chosen or denied or whatever as we've done before. That being said we will ALWAYS accept for consideration players who toss well thought out characters our way, no guarantees of acceptance, but if you've got a good concept and they're someone who will fit into this game and you show that you're dedicated enought to stick with the game at the pace and intensity that this game sometimes demands, we'll definitely take you under consideration. If you'd like, feel free to toss Slipshade and myself a PM with your thoughts + concept (and a CS if you have one made based on the rules on the Wiki) and we'll start review and discussion about it before passing it up the chain to WR1.