OOC: The Sun Never Sets, OOC Thread for The Sun Never Sets Options

[pbangarth]

Yes, we stayed in camp to study the lay of the defenses.

[phlapjack77]

what do ya'll think? possibly take that first step down the path to the dark side? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[pbangarth]

Nice save with the Sisters, phlapjack77.

Hmmm .... the Dark Side. Let the destruction begin? Right now, the contest of wills and philosophies between the Sisters and us is kinda cool, even if the action is sparse. I suspect, though, that Tecumseh has a few teams ready to toss at us if we get too settled into rhetoric.

[pbangarth]

By the way, thanks for the maps and photo, guys. Way better to get into the feel of things. That photo is gorgeous! I'd be happy to participate in the map building, but is there any more info to enter right now? Can Google Maps do what Google Earth can do, like add polygons and other shapes?

[phlapjack77]

Hmmm .... the Dark Side. Let the destruction begin? Right now, the contest of wills and philosophies between the Sisters and us is kinda cool, even if the action is sparse. I suspect, though, that Tecumseh has a few teams ready to toss at us if we get too settled into rhetoric.

I'm starting to think, we can talk ourselves in circles on this debate forever. "Words are wind". But if we put the words to the test and involve ourselves in the Sisters plans, maybe we can actually make a difference in the Sisters behavior and outlook...

By the way, thanks for the maps and photo, guys. Way better to get into the feel of things. That photo is gorgeous! I'd be happy to participate in the map building, but is there any more info to enter right now? Can Google Maps do what Google Earth can do, like add polygons and other shapes?

Not sure if that's possible - and I've never used Google Earth much. What kind of shapes would we be adding?

[pbangarth]

I see your point about the Sisters' plans.

Maybe create some kind of overlay that shows where the built up defenses are. So we can plan our actions in defense when the next runner team(s) arrives(s). Though I suppose a quick map in some easy drawing program would suffice.

[Tecumseh]

I am frequently tempted to say too much in the OOC forums regarding the course of the game. When we're done, I'll do a big recap with behind-the-scenes peeks - "this is what I was thinking at this point". But until then, I'm going to be sitting on my hands with zipped lips.

[phlapjack77]

Tecumseh, what exactly ARE the Sisters doing during their rituals? Rituals for what? Does Smohalla have the knowledge necessary to figure out what they're doing?

I've started to get a very bad feeling about this drop...

[Tecumseh]

And here I thought i was being all obvious.

Smohalla's Magical Theory knowledge skill roll:

[ Spoiler ]

Given the nature of the ritual, the specialization counts. 7 dice > 3 HITS = Smohalla knows just what they're up to.

What Smohalla knows. I'm putting it in spoiler tags just in case anyone wants to preserve the surprise, and/or to let Phlapjack explain it ICly.

[ Spoiler ]

The Sisters are using the Geomancy metamagic to attune the mana of the area to their own tradition(s). I'm away from my books at the moment so I might get some of the terminology wrong, but the short version of the story is that - under normal conditions - excessive amounts of mana (mana warps) are just as inhibiting to the use of magic as the lack of mana (mana voids): both affect the background count equally. But by using Geomancy, the Sisters are making the power site of the mountain more like themselves, which allows them to change the background count from a negative (or unpredictable) modifier into a positive, consistent one. Effectively, it allows them to significantly boost their Magic attributes while practicing magic there.

Geomancy, mana warps, etc. are all described in Street Magic. You're more than welcome to read the descriptions there, as they are things that Smohalla would know, but magic is one of those things that has yet to be fully explained by the modern world, so there are still plenty of gaps in understanding for the GM to exploit (i.e. make things work as I see fit).

My best attempt at describing Geomancy is in post #818. It was also hinted at back in post #275 and a couple other points along the way.

[phlapjack77]

You WERE being obvious, which is what was setting alarm bells off in my head (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) visions of buzzing things crossing over from beyond were dancing in my head...

[pbangarth]

Oooooohhhhhhhh.... I wanna open that spoiler! But I won't. I won't.

[phlapjack77]

I'll give you a hint pbangarth! It starts with insec...no, that gives too much away. How about, it ends with spirits?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[phlapjack77]

Oh, and don't think I didn't notice that subtle dig at Smohalla! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Ellie moves slowly and deliberately, pausing for a moment before reaching for the gunnysack that contains the tea. She starts to make a pot of peppermint tea, using the last of the leaves that she has available.

[Tecumseh]

Actions have consequences! Lack of action has consequences too!

Phlapjack, were you intending to talk to the other in private? I haven't (technically) excused the Sisters yet, although it's not a significant issue to do so. I simply wanted to give Pbangarth and Atropos the opportunity to interact with them before they disappeared for the night.

[AtroposReborn]

Ellesar doesn't have much to say to them that hasn't already been said so I'm fine with them moving on.

[phlapjack77]

Actions have consequences! Lack of action has consequences too!

Phlapjack, were you intending to talk to the other in private? I haven't (technically) excused the Sisters yet, although it's not a significant issue to do so. I simply wanted to give Pbangarth and Atropos the opportunity to interact with them before they disappeared for the night.

Yeah, sorry - I had thought the Sisters were gone already. Smohalla would wait until they were gone to talk to his teammates.

[pbangarth]

Yeah, the boys need to talk.

[Tecumseh]

I added a line to post #836 to remove the ladies from the scene.

[Tecumseh]

Great posts, everyone. Keep it up!

[Tecumseh]

Great exchange, guys. Anything else that people want to say or do before making camp for the night?

[phlapjack77]

Hopefully I'm not forcing the issue, but I was thinking we should have our "story straight" before talking to the Sisters the next morning. So I'd like to RP a little bit more...

[Tecumseh]

Works for me. I'm enjoying the conversation, and everyone has brought up a point or a perspective that I hoped someone would mention. Nice work all around.

[Tecumseh]

Closer to being done? Once you make your watch arrangements we can move into the overnight portion. Not trying to hurry things along, just making sure we don't hit a pause because everyone's waiting for everyone else to speak.

[phlapjack77]

I think I'm Smohalla's satisfied with our decision.

[AtroposReborn]

Same here.