2072 [+4 Months], Multiple Players / GMs - Recruitment Always Open Options

[RdMarquis]

@Rdmarquis (et al.)

Welcome back! Thanks to Machine Ghost for the summary – he captured everything that he was aware of outside. Inside you will have been dumpshocked as you were forcibly jacked out by the jammer warheads (they fired one inside too – no expense spared!). You ‘wake up’ to all hell breaking loose, panic stations, armed soldiers shooting at tribe members and a mad scramble towards the safer parts of the mall. Jazz drags your arse down towards the basement...unless you want to resist?

More details to follow IC...

Oh, and as luck would have it, it's entirely possible that Mordred is here too (Gemeaux is after dropping off the Collots)...so you could IC post meeting him in the chaos, have a happy reunion, I might even let it last (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ork.gif)

I will try and finish off the IC post before the end of the week but work is taking a turn for the worse so I'll get back to you if not and suggest ways that you can post some stuff without my IC input...

LeFey is going to let Jazz take her to a hiding place (she's probably not in much shape to even protest), but speaking of resistance, should I actually roll to soak the dumpshock damage?

And yeah, Mordred should be here. I'll post for him, too.

[JxJxA]

How did the jamming stop? ?_?

[Machine Ghost]

How did the jamming stop? ?_?

Aria's IC post
We just back timed a little to get the meet.

[JxJxA]

Aria's IC post
We just back timed a little to get the meet.

Ah, ok. Thanks! I was confused. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/spin.gif)

[Aria]

"Sprogget, can you point out some less than obvious entryways into this joint ? I only recall the loading bay and a couple a' windows that Scrap was telling someone ta leave through !"

The Freedomers have done a good job of trying to a) make the place look deserted / a death trap, b)wall up any unneccesary entrances to channel any 'invaders' ...of course they didn't anticipate someone blowing a hole in the wall!

They mostly live on the top floors (with Prospero lurking in the basement somewhere)...

[Machine Ghost]

The Freedomers have done a good job of trying to a) make the place look deserted / a death trap, b)wall up any unneccesary entrances to channel any 'invaders' ...of course they didn't anticipate someone blowing a hole in the wall!

They mostly live on the top floors (with Prospero lurking in the basement somewhere)...

I was just about to post something similar while asking questions here (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

How much do you (as GM) WANT us to be able to do? Meta gaming, I understand that you want to 'reduce' the tribes power somewhat. For the specific scene though, I / Sprogget have some ideas that could be effective depending on things GM will have to fill in.

With an IC post being worked on, Cam could, maybe reluctantly, point to a small cache that includes a few man portable rockets. Sprogget can use a tutor sprite to get Gunnery skill, if the Resonance will cooperate.

If Sprogget and/or Crow can recognize / deduce enough about those APCs to get an idea about what their sensor capabilities should be (I expect that the UWBR scan does not give enough detail, though it could help), then maybe use the distraction from LeO to sneak up to them. With the automotive toolkit (and jury rigger in reverse), Sprogget might be able to disable the vehicles for quite awhile. Those turrets probably need power too. <grin> See my SIG </grin>. Only if Sprogget feels there is a good chance, maybe with help getting in position. He does not have a chameleon suit, and infiltration dice pool of only 5. Alternatively, if tutor sprite can provide the skill to another, someone with a chameleon suit could take the toolkit. The actually work should not be complex. It is easier to break things than fix them, if not trying to be real subtle. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

With 'really' good luck, there will be a sewer / manhole in a useful spot to get close unseen.

For access to the mall, and the 'tenant improvements', Sprogget (or Scrapheap) could 'remember' enough since story line says Mechanicals helped out. Industrial Mechanic seems to be one of the appropriate skills for the work. Or Cam could dump updated information, since Sprogget is more vehicle/drone oriented. Earlier post said Sprogget is sending a live sensor feed to Cam, so he (or someone else assigned) could be listening in.

G'Eye is on the way or already in the mall trying to get past the attackers to deliver messages. Progress depending on luck, and how long since he was sent, which was just after that message telling Oyl that Cam was reluctant to send the spirits. Sprogget will be turning on the wireless using the RFID tag controls, but where will he be? The drone has been running on the dog brain, and trying to avoid attackers to deliver the messages. I expect that the ventilation system is a good highway for him. He has good 'sniffer nose' to help figure out where people are, and where weapons are being fired (as well as Spatial Recognizer). UWBR as a last resort, since trying not to use active / detectable signals.

Coming post will leave things open, so GM can fill some of it, to limit or expand options.

[Mach_Ten]

With 'really' good luck, there will be a sewer / manhole in a useful spot to get close unseen.

oooh man, How did I not even think of this !! ?!

[Machine Ghost]

oooh man, How did I not even think of this !! ?!

Too focused on the lack of firepower for a direct assault ? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Aria]

Little bit of a placeholder IC to keep you going before I can fill in more details and answer your questions. The soldiers are already on their way out so it's up to you whether you still want to go with an attack on the APCs?!? No to the rockets (it doesn't seem to fit the Mechanicals to my mind), there is a reasonable chance that there's a sewer near the APCs... you won't have much time to utalise it though... I'm not trying to deliberatley counter your plans but time is of the essence, if I left the soldier boys inside too long there wouldn't be a tribe left to save (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

[Machine Ghost]

Little bit of a placeholder IC to keep you going before I can fill in more details and answer your questions. The soldiers are already on their way out so it's up to you whether you still want to go with an attack on the APCs?!? No to the rockets (it doesn't seem to fit the Mechanicals to my mind), there is a reasonable chance that there's a sewer near the APCs... you won't have much time to utalise it though... I'm not trying to deliberatley counter your plans but time is of the essence, if I left the soldier boys inside too long there wouldn't be a tribe left to save (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

Which was the original point of the distraction. Get them out!

Delaying next Sprogget post, to see if Gemeaux is going to comment about the tacsoft offer. Simpler if I can post about the new members, and Sprogget can switch fairly fully to virtual communications. Makes it simpler to share that image from G'Eye too.

While contemplating the expanded post, consider that sewer some. Idea: Time/position LeO's distraction to get the squad to shift path enough that we might be able to rescue Jazz by opening it from below as she approaches, and telling her to jump. Another item: are those soldiers wearing chemical protection? That Ares Alpha LeO has includes microgrenades with pepper punch. Would not do a lot of damage, but a deliberate miss might herd them where we want. And those get 'lobbed', so would not even need to expose to the machine guns. Or to the squad either, by using tacnet for targeting. I think Crow has some frag grenades too. Getting underground after might a Very Good Idea™, with those aerial drones that close.

I mentioned the sewer OOC, but if skills/background make it reasonable, someone else can spot it when Sprogget starts saying we need to get Jazz loose.

Working on a nicely cutting Oyl Post.

[JxJxA]

Post up, sorry for the delay. Imbibed a few potent potables while with my pals, else I would have posted earlier. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

[Machine Ghost]

Post up, sorry for the delay. Imbibed a few potent potables while with my pals, else I would have posted earlier. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

Good timing actually. You got there *just* before I finished the Oyl post.

Tomorrow for Sprogget though. I'm about *done* for tonight.

@Aria, E:Tribes
When reading the post, consider the impact added by her abilities:
Voice Control: SR4A197
Kinesics: SR4A196
Perceptive: RC100
Influence Group(3)

@Aria,

Do you have a RAW reference for those APCs? They could be moded of course, but I have an idea I want to check out. Called Shot SR4A161 might give options, depending on the level of armor. Things like jamming the turret. If LeO with a full burst, plus take aim, plus tacsoft, plus called shot has a chance ... Maybe even modified by knowledge about where to target using mechanic skill. No armorer skill, but especially with the Artisan and steampunk work, Sprogget knows how things work mechanically. Throw in jury rigger too.

[RdMarquis]

Rolling to Compile and Register a Paladin sprite.

Resonance (4) + Compiling (5) = 9d6
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4226817/
3 hits.

Rating (5) = 5d6
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4226818/
1 hit.

Resonance (4) + Registering (4) + Specialization (2) = 10d6
Rating (5) x2 =10d6
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4226819/
LeFey has 4 hits to Register.
The Leanan Sidhe has 3 hits to resist, so she is now Registered with 3 Tasks.

Charisma (5) + Resonance (4) = 9d6 twice to resist 2P, then 6P Fading damage.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4226822/
LeFey takes 2P. I'll finish my post for this in the morning. Well, when the sun is up. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

[RdMarquis]

Let's try for two more Paladins. Rating 4 this time.

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4227734/
2 hits to compile each.

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4227735/
The first got 1 hit, and the second got 2. The Domovoi is Compiled with 1 task.

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4227736/
Resisting 2S, then 4S. LeFey got 4 and 7 hits, so she's fine.

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4227739/
Another shot at a third sprite. 2 hits.

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4227740/
1 hit. The Puca is Compiled with 1 task.

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4227745/
LeFey takes 1S.

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4227748/
Registering the Domovoi. 2 hits.

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4227753/
1 hit. The Domovoi is Registered with 2 tasks.

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4227762/
LeFey resists 2S.

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4227757/
Registering the Puca. 3 hits.

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4227759/
1 hit. The Puca is Registered with 3 tasks.

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4227765/
LeFey takes another 1S. She's down 2 Stun and 2 Physical, so far.

[Machine Ghost]

Let's try for two more Paladins. Rating 4 this time.
.. snip ..

Like spirits, you can only have one [unregistered / unbound] sprite at a time, and registering attempt takes 1 hour per rating. No binding materials needed though.

Don't get too far out the timeline. It seems to be less than hour since arriving at the mall.

[RdMarquis]

Gah. I forgot about time constraints. I'll drop those two other Paladin sprites, then (though I'd like to save the rolls for later), as well as the Registering test for the Rating 5 one. At least she avoided the Fading damage.

[Machine Ghost]

@E:Tribes,

There!  I think I have everything/everyone caught up and cleanly synced to Aria’s last IC post, with people mostly connected together, without taking up any more in game time than needed.  Just missing a reason to add Mordred to the tacnet tags.  From everything I know, Sprogget has no reason to connect Mordred with LeFey.

Any (expanded) drakehunters, including Aria/Cam should be open to post IC ideas now, while Sprogget is busy for a few seconds, without worrying about time sync problems.

@JxJxA,
The character sheet says the Erika Elite Commlink has Response 4, System 6.  By RAW, that will act as System 4.  Nothing I see on the commlink is really going to care though.  The main effect is to limit the rating of programs that are running.  I see skinlink on the commlink, but not on any of the gear.  By RAW again, skinlink needs to be on both ends of a connection to work.  Your posts are not showing what commlink and stats are in use.  The character sheet only shows the one though.  Were you really intending to run in active mode around here, as the post heading shows?  I had not even looked at that when I did the earlier post about not seeing any new nodes when Sprogget started hearing voices.

@dMarquis,
I assume the work/run commlink handed over is the Transys Avalon, which is the way I wrote the IC.  Like JxJxA, the title line for your posts are not showing that detail.  Even surrounded by the TM group, the runs you have been doing have not cared much.  With the hacker tribe and threats around here, that can be more important.  sometimes.

Sprogget can easily learn a lot about the commlinks and PAN gear.  He has not taken the time yet, preferring for now to let the tacnet feed what it considers important.  No real interest in what is on the commlinks (other than Vivienne), but will at some point look for the detailed capabilities, beyond what tacnet will show.  Tacnet will show plenty anyway about weapons capabilities and usage at least.

@Aria,
At some point Sprogget is going to use matrix perception on Vivienne, to try to get a feel for just how good/smart she is.  The strongest reference I found through a pdf search, was in fluff in "The Rotten Apple: Manhattan"

These Personal Butlers are very popular with Manhattan’s and other cities’ overworked corporate climbers, as the clever personality software allows the anthroforms to act as surrogate friends and companions, as well as helpers who never complain.

Sad.

The research being done into AI programs, which are much closer to real AI than in Japan, are risky for Sony’s image. The corp’s position has been to purposefully avoid true AI research. Sony doesn’t need its brat American division to screw that up for them. I expect to see a contingent of Japanese envoys come “talk” to the American leadership soon.

The RAW piece AR58 says a little about what it does, but nothing I see about ratings of any sort.

[JxJxA]

@ Machine Ghost: I wouldn't be in active mode. Sorry, I've been cutting and pasting my headers, so I didn't even think about that. Vivienne is just the personality program thingy. Functionally, she does nothing. Writing-wise, she just lets me talk to myself.

As for the lack of skin link, I believe they are skin linked on my excel file, and it might be a typo when I wrote it onto the website.

[JxJxA]

@Machine Ghost: Actually, what items are you referring to? Can you skinlink contact lenses?

[Machine Ghost]

@ Machine Ghost:  I wouldn't be in active mode. Sorry, I've been cutting and pasting my headers, so I didn't even think about that.  Vivienne is just the personality program thingy. Functionally, she does nothing. Writing-wise, she just lets me talk to myself.

As for the lack of skin link, I believe they are skin linked on my excel file, and it might be a typo when I wrote it onto the website.

So Sprogget needed to take the time to do that commlink manually too?  Depending on which piece I read, real personality software could exist, and could be approaching a full AI in capabilities.  I just have not found any specs or costs.  I'll leave the IC alone though.

Typo's are rather common (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

@Machine Ghost:  Actually, what items are you referring to?  Can you skinlink contact lenses?

Anything that could have a wireless signal could have a skinlink instead/in addition.  It just treats the [meta]human boielectic field as a cable, to create the equivalent of a physical wired link.  If a wi-fi transceiver will fit, so will a skinlink.  OOG, the skinlink should be simpler, and need less power (effectively less than signal 0) SR4A222.  A special case expansion of that allows the complete surface of a vehicle to be a skinlink interface.

Gemeaux character sheet shows several additional items that I would expect should be skinlinked for a secure runner configuration, when trying to be undetectable (no active signals).

• Respirator
• Googles
• Earbuds
• Contact Lenses
• Le Repartie
• Smartpack, especially when modified for chameleon coating.
• The nanopaste trodes could be a bit tricky to *add* skinlink too, but could probably be purchased that way.

The half body suit is shown as having a skinlink.  Should be able to get by with that, though I think it more likely that each of the biomonitor and auto-injector would have their own skinlinks.  Pure optical vision enhancers do not *require* a connection to the PAN, but would normally use one, to be able to control features like magnification, and to switch modes (thermographic, ultrasound).

Even the grenades could be, so that the detonation timing could be set as they are being thrown.  Would be a real pain if jamming prevented changing the settings (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
Now that is a nasty idea.  If the 'pin' is matrix accessible, a hacker could do nice fireworks.  Given that possibility, I'm pretty sure they will need physical activation.

Going over the details, I see that none of your optical gear has an image link.  Smartlink is needed for the weapons bonus stuff, but image link would normally be needed (separately) to be able to display information from the commlink.  Like reading email, or the tacnet being setup.  The whole AR interface.

[RdMarquis]

@dMarquis, I assume the work/run commlink handed over is the Transys Avalon, which is the way I wrote the IC.  Like JxJxA, the title line for your posts are not showing that detail.  Even surrounded by the TM group, the runs you have been doing have not cared much.  With the hacker tribe and threats around here, that can be more important.  sometimes.

Sprogget can easily learn a lot about the commlinks and PAN gear.  He has not taken the time yet, preferring for now to let the tacnet feed what it considers important.  No real interest in what is on the commlinks (other than Vivienne), but will at some point look for the detailed capabilities, beyond what tacnet will show.  Tacnet will show plenty anyway about weapons capabilities and usage at least.

Yeah, it's the Avalon.

[JxJxA]

@ Machine Ghost: Thanks for the info! I've been playing Shadowrun "for a long time", but it's mostly been via pbp and I've never really had a good grasp of the rules. I usually just run mages because they are easier gear-wise. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif) I've updated the gear with the missing bits and paid for it as well. I'm still not done updating with karma, but I'm not sure if I should wait until I convert to 5e or what. x_x

PS-I never make my grenades "smart" for just that reason. Long-story short, that allowed a sprite to create a "death satchel" of grenades and blow up most of the party.

[Aria]

While contemplating the expanded post, consider that sewer some. Idea: Time/position LeO's distraction to get the squad to shift path enough that we might be able to rescue Jazz by opening it from below as she approaches, and telling her to jump. Another item: are those soldiers wearing chemical protection? That Ares Alpha LeO has includes microgrenades with pepper punch. Would not do a lot of damage, but a deliberate miss might herd them where we want. And those get 'lobbed', so would not even need to expose to the machine guns. Or to the squad either, by using tacnet for targeting. I think Crow has some frag grenades too. Getting underground after might a Very Good Idea™, with those aerial drones that close.

Timings, the eta of soldier boys to the APCs is around 2 mins, not enough time (i don't think) to locate the sewer entrances, trudge 100m or so through sewage and then spring Jazz from underneath. Don't forget that as a TM she doesn't need a commlink to talk to you (I'm pretty sure you can 'call' her?!?)...and she's out of the jamming now.

No, the soldiers might have respirators (it's the barrens after all and there's all this ash crap floating about) but not full chem gear.

[Aria]

Good timing actually. You got there *just* before I finished the Oyl post.

Tomorrow for Sprogget though. I'm about *done* for tonight.

@Aria, E:Tribes
When reading the post, consider the impact added by her abilities:
Voice Control: SR4A197
Kinesics: SR4A196
Perceptive: RC100
Influence Group(3)

Cam's an adept with kinesics too! It got nerfed in SR5 but it was the goto power in SR4 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

@Aria,

Do you have a RAW reference for those APCs? They could be moded of course, but I have an idea I want to check out. Called Shot SR4A161 might give options, depending on the level of armor. Things like jamming the turret. If LeO with a full burst, plus take aim, plus tacsoft, plus called shot has a chance ... Maybe even modified by knowledge about where to target using mechanic skill. No armorer skill, but especially with the Artisan and steampunk work, Sprogget knows how things work mechanically. Throw in jury rigger too.

Image is something like this: Russian APC, stats are from Eurowars Antiques: BTR-20 APC
HANDL+0 ACCEL 10/20SPD 100PILOT 0 BODY15 ARM10 SENS 2
Std. Upgrades/Accessories: Amphibious Operation (Level 1), Life Support (Level 1), Network Incompatible, Run Flat Tires, Reinforced Weapon Mount (external, heavy turret, armored manual), Weapon Mount (external, turret, remote). It probably has cameras, movement sensors and maybe an audio mic or two...nothing very good (unless it has been upgraded...)

You can get the stats from it's AROs probably...given time youc could even trace the Metroplex Guard depot it came from...the intact AROs imply they've been borrowed, or perhaps it's an elaborate misdirection? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ork.gif)

[ChromeZephyr]

I'm glad I'm playing a fairly slow-witted character in this game, because I'm completely flummoxed about what to do in this scenario. Working on an IC post, I'll just gloss over Scrap's normal response to a voice out of the dark with a handgun trained on him would be. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)