WAYHAY!!! I'm back and happily rested!! Woo hoo!.... ahem....

Thanks guys for looking out for Sweeps. I think it's time to get him back on the rails again ASAP. And hopefully actually doing some good.... at somepoint.... maybe....

Anyhow.... I think it best for him to pay quick recovery so we can deal with all the kidnapped people... urm.... ok getting my head around this....

OK... confused now... has anyone already rolled for Sweeps. Can anyone recommend what I should be doing? Sorry I have no BBB with me again.

BTW he'll pay anyone back for upfront care.

ahh... waiting for rolls? Padre's unhurt. ^_~

Sorry I haven't been posting recently... I'm dealing with a pile of crap once again. Class has started... I'll get padre's post up eventually.

No one has rolled anything for Sweeps yet.

Ok. For 1000 nuyen Sweeps can pay for immediate trauma care. The Street Doc has a dicepool of 14 to patch you back together. Each success lowers your physical damage track by 1. Sweeps must pay for this trauma care.

Sweeps will likely still have some damage after that roll. A day of bedrest lets you roll your body x2. Again each success lowers your physical damage track by 1. If you want, you can pay an additional 1000 nuyen to get a bonus of +4 to account for 'professional' medical care.

Keep repeating that second roll until you are either fully recovered or you are happy with any remaining damage and feel you're good to go.

Headsmack, sorry. Padre's good to go... still might want to wait around for the others though, unless you're big on the idea of taking on Kat by yourself.

Headsmack, sorry. Padre's good to go... still might want to wait around for the others though, unless you're big on the idea of taking on Kat by yourself.

I'm good to go. I don't really see that a post is necessary; Loki would, in that situation, merely brush himself off and leave.

Ok, so the next step would be planning how you're going to hit the boat.

Just as an aside on my GMing style when it comes to 'impossible' tasks. I'll never set you guys up to fail, you could if you want, take the direct approach and rent/buy a speedboat and rush the Yacht full speed and still have a reasonable chance of success. However the more creative/amusing a plan you come up with, the easier the actual assault will be. Check through your contacts for anyone who might prove useful, smugglers, drug dealers, even Mack's merc company might be able to help. Try and be as specific as possible.

Just as an example (and feel free to use this) Mack might get in touch with his merc company and see if you can't borrow a chopper and do an airborne assault. Hell, if you can explain how a contact might have access to a mini sub that's an option too, the sky's (or the bottom of the sound) the limit. Get creative, and don't worry too much if it's a bit off the wall. Try and picture how you'd see this playing out in a movie if that helps.

Oh, and Nigel, at least knock your damage down to 5P Mack and Takashi are both taking a day to rest up, and Sweeps is going to need at least 1. You have a body of 3, which when doubled will let you buy one success. That's 1 die difference when you're making your upcoming rolls.

A number of questions, in order to get some ideas:

Is the boat docked, or is it anchored out a bit?
-- If docked, is it by shore, or at the end of a pier? Facing which way?
-- If out, how far from shore?

Have they arranged things so that there are no other boats near by?
-- Do we have any information as to how they did that? (Renting the nearby slips / mooring points?)

What kind of boat? How big? How sloped are the sides? What material is it? (Metal, Fiberglass, Wood?)
-- Can we get plans for the standard model of that boat? (I presume that there is no way to get the current plans, but can Sybercat check?)
-- I would guess we need to presume that they have equipped the boat with radar, sonar, and some fixed (concealed) heavy weaponry?

How deep is the water where the boat is, and in the immediate vicinity thereof?

Also, what sort of shoreline has visibility to the boat within 700 or so meters?

Thanks,
Joel / Mack

As far as the first question goes, that depends on what you guys want. It could be docked, it would make the process easier. If you're up for the challenge though, the adventure has it written assuming it is out in (or just outside of) Puget Sound. To figure out the more specific questions would require a recon run of some sort, either getting a rigger to do a flyby with a spy drone, Sybercat has a rotodrone that might work, but it's not the stealthiest thing out there, or a stakeout (or even just a driveby) if it's docked/close enough to shore.

It would be impossible for them to arrange too much privacy. Puget Sound is pretty busy. There's everything from massive automated container ships sailed by pilot programs and riggers secure in come corp enclave, to pleasure craft, to independent shippers, to smugglers running cigarette boats. Of course the Coast Guard is a pretty common sight too. Even outside of the Sound things are pretty busy.

IDing the make and model of the boat might take a bit of legwork. For now, it's safe to assume that it is (or at least began as) a fairly stock pleasure yacht. It would be safe to assume that it has 1, maybe 2 decks dedicated to Amakura and those close to her, assume luxury accommodations. It would also have a steerage deck where the servants keep their quarters and there's stuff like the engine room, and other 'junk' not all of which is legal.

Something sort of like this: http://a1aadventures.com/large%20yacht.jpg

As far as defenses go, anything Amakura has modified it with (never mind the procedures of her guards) would be privileged information, not to mention after market. Not something you'd be likely to find out just by asking a few questions. It's safe to assume that the Yacht is fairly well protected however, don't expect anything too heavy, the Coast Guard doesn't like the idea of pocket battleships taking up residence on their 'turf'. Everything on board will probably 'legally' constitute 'small arms', but that's a fairly broad category. A most guns seem a lot smaller in the hands of a troll.

As far as the shoreline goes, again I'd leave this up to you guys. Would you rather it be anchored offshore of the 'wilderness' of Sonomish or sitting tied up at an exclusive Downtown dock? Want to catch it pulling into a shady pier in Tacoma?

As an aside: If it hasn't been obvious by now I'm trying to introduce the idea of radical transparency to my GMing. This is a bit of an experiment for me, largely from my experience as a player in Burning Wheel where transparency, being able to peak behind the screen and adaptability to the desires of the PC's is one of the fundamental concepts. It's quite different than the traditional GM/Player roll and I think it might suit a PBP well because of the time lag which enables me to come up with stuff 'off the cuff' without hemming and hawing in front of a table full of people.

At it's core what this means it Kat's Yacht doesn't exist yet. Sure I have the goons and a couple more significant NPC's statted up, and a bit of brainstorming done, but how exactly everything falls into place is completely up to you guys. If you guys want, you could even turn this whole thing into a social challenge, you have more than enough evidence to go to the Star about this, or at least threaten to. That opens up the opportunity for blackmail.

Now, there is a part 2 to this. Reward. When you post your ideas for how you want the run on the boat to take shape let me know what kind of reward you feel is worth your time. At a bare minimum this will include the 20,000 nuyen you'll be getting as a payout but let me know if there is anything else you want to 'acquire' too. Hell if you go all out on this and make things as tough as possible for yourselves you could walk away in a position to fence the yacht. Smaller risk you might be able to make off with some hot ware, weapon foci, or valuable paydata that can be fenced, or even used yourself if you want.

Right now I'll plan on getting the boat run started sometime early next week. If we can have it gelled out by then that'd be great.

Of course you could also just decide you'd rather go along for the ride. I can always run the boat as written in the adventure

Hi guys,

I've got some bad news, I'm going to have to pull out of this for now.

I've got a major crisis on my hands and I'll have to deal with that for at least the next few weeks. Can't go into details for personnal reasons, but know that I'm truly sorry.

To be honest, Sweeps has been pretty useless anyway, so when this is all over I'll probably come back with a new character. That's if there is room for me of course. I'll understand if you replace me with someone else.

I'm really sorry, I know it does not take long to post IC's up, so I would not do this if it wasn't for serious reasons. And I've really enjoyed playing this game and i'm really frustrated to pull out. But life is really throwing me a curve ball and I have to deal with it NOW!

It's such a shame, but it's only fair that you guys don't keep waiting on me while I sort this stupid mess out.

Sorry again I mean that.

Good luck Dusty. It sounds like you have a mess on your hands.
Joel

Yeah... best of luck. Hopefully you can rejoin us at some point.

Cheers guys, as long as there's a place for me in a couple of weeks, maybe a month, then I'll be back.

Again sorry about this, but I just don't think it's fair you have to wait on me while I deal with this shit.

Laters (at least for now.)

Mark

Quasi-bookkeeping question, while I let other folks comment on which setting they prefer for the boat...

In the case in the van I had a number of grenades of various types.
I also had my medikit sitting in the van.

Just wondering whether I should write that stuff off as lost?

Thanks,
Joel / Mack

Dusty, add me to the well-wishers. Best of luck.

@imperialus

I had assumed that the boat was off in the sound somewhere from Takashi's little remembered moment, and his message to his contact (and the response, too) suggests that. So maybe I could edit that post and make it a bit more generic, just getting information about the boat? But otherwise, I think the whole transparency thing is quite cool, though unfamiliar. Now I just have to figure out what would be most interesting.

Out in the open water is trickier. Getting close wouldn't be a problem, but closing the last hundred meters would be hard, what with radar, sonar, and probably some sort of magical surveillance, too, and a small boat is quite vulnerable, which explains Takashi's sentiments in my last IC post. Something close to land just seems like there'd be a lot more options on approaches and more potential for trickery, which is always fun. I'm curious what everybody else thinks.

fyi: Sorry I haven't been posting lately. I'm having a bit of a crisis IRL, and it's seriously tainting my outlook on everything right now, so anything I would post for Padre would be horribly ooc. for now, assume that he's off mourning the needless deaths caused by the lonestar people and waiting for you guys to heal up. Hopefully in a week or so I'll be back to stable and able to post IC again.

Oh, good luck with whatever's troubling you, Dusty.

I hope everything will be okay, Mick. Thank you for posting why you haven't been posting, though.

Wow Sorry to hear your having issues Mick. Good luck in resolving them.

Yeah, with the expensive lawyer there's no way that the star is going to look inside the van without a warrant. Your medkit and grenades are safe.

Also I got a PM from Dumori asking if he could join in for the assault as a replacement for Sweeps. What's everyone's thoughts on this? He's obviously been following the thread.

I'd have to see the character he wants to bring in, but another gun and/or stealth person would be quite helpful, I suspect.

in other news, things are clearing up a bit faster than expected. I should be back in Padre mentality by labor day. I'll post as soon as I have something wrote up.

Also, Imperialus, did you get my response to your PM?

Well I don't want to hijack but it seams better than PMing imperialus. I am willing to play any type you need for your plan. I was thinking a rigger/stealth person air, land and sea a smuggler with some nice contacts but as I said I'm willing to fit any needed role. On a related side will some qualitys/contacts from RC be ok with the GM.

Sounds like a reasonable resolution to me.
Joel / Mack

Hey guys I just wanted to put a final input in.

Dumori sounds like a good choice for replacement for me.
I think his suggested character types would also fit well, but that would be Imps call.

Things at this end have just gone from bad to worse. Illness it seems, hits all of us off guard and the person I'm looking after is totally undeserving of it.

So I'll definitely say farewell for now and I also want to say a MASSIVE thank you to Imperialus for being a spectacular PM. I also wanted to say thanks to Joel, Mickle, Nigel for being so much fun to play with from the start. And a massive thanks and good luck to Intro, I think your character is really working out well.

It's been so much fun playing this and I'm grateful that I finally got to play the game with VERY professional and fun players.

Thanks again. I hope to see you all again.... soon!

EDIT:
One other thing, if a player drops out later on, can someone PM me? I'll still follow the threads when I can and you never know, I might be able to join in again.

Laters for now, Mark

When you get to be able to post you can have my slot back (plot allowing).

I wouldn't to that to you man. But thanks for the offer.

OK Dumori, assuming there are no howls of objection you're in. Your Smuggler type sounds almost ideal.

Right now it looks like I'll run the boat pretty much from the book. That'll give Dumori's "rigger/stealth person" a perfect route in. Why don't you post the concept and I'll see how I can figure out to fit him in. As long as I have real stats before the PC's make it to the boat and the dice start flying I'm good.

And Sweeps. Please feel free to drop back in wherever. There will be a spot for you. No problems. Sweeps still has to make his big score.

PS: Dumori: If you don't mind I'll work up some stats and a price for a little cigarette boat for you. I have an idea for a custom one.

Ok cool and I wanted a sub or to dive but then I found my copy of this adventure. Don't like underwater now (no meta-gaming from me) Ok are you ok with me using RC?

I just forgot 400BP build?

Yep, 400 BP build. You can add ten Karma to that if you want.

And go ahead with RC.

Only rules I have is no TM's, no jarheads, and I'm very leery of meta-variants. Sorry, personal bias on my part. I've never liked them.

Anyhow I did another IC post. Mostly a space filler, gives me a chance to start drawing a few loose ends together.

Oh, and Dumori:

Almost forgot, feel free to go the underwater route if you'd rather. In the half dozen times I've run this adventure I've never used those stupid mind controlled sharks. They're so overpowered it's almost an "I Win" button for the GM. They feel petty to me since there's very little your average runner team is going to be able to do to fight them and they serve only to slaughter a team that tries a less than conventional means of doing something which I try to encourage. There might be a snooper drone or two but that's it.

Great to see you here, Dumori. I look forward to having you join the game.

It was wonderful playing with you, Dusty. I hope things work out, and that you can join us again in the future. Farewell, and good luck with life in general.

Dusty,

I hope everything works out well for you and we see you back here ere too long.

Dumori,

Welcome to the game. I look forward to seeing the character you come up with.

Just wanted to check and see how the character was coming along Dumori.

its coming along ok but i've been strteched in RL atm starting collage and such.

OK guys, I've heard from Dumori. He's almost got his character worked out but is a little swamped getting started in school. I'm aiming to get the ball rolling again sometime this weekend.

Again, sorry about the delay but we are still good to go. You guys mind checking in so I can start as soon as Dumori's character is done.

Yo.

Out of town tomorrow and part of Sunday, but other than that, I should be around.

I'm good to go whenever. I look forward to seeing and playing with Dumori's character.

I'm around. There's apparently some sort of tropical storm arriving and it's exceedingly humid, so I probably won't be doing too much outdoors this weekend.

I exist! Sorry for dropping off the face of the earth everyone, between school, work, moving three times in two months, and not having internet at home until a week ago...yeah. Glad to see the game is still running and that my disappearing act didn't kill it or anything. I suspect I've been replaced by now and that's fine, just wanted to pop in and let everyone know I didn't just space out or something. Hope things have been going well in my absence!

Want back in? I still haven't seen a character from Dumori (replacing Dusty/Sweeps). Intro/Takashi took your spot, but technically speaking you haven't been paid yet... Icelady was going to pay you once the rights got sorted out... now she's been kidnapped. I'm sure if one of the team members called you, Hex would be willing to try and rescue his payday.

Let me know if you're in by the end of the day. Without Dumori's smuggler I've got a stock NPC named Relic that makes periodic appearances in my campaigns anytime a boat is necessary (a cookie for anyone who gets the reference) so I'll just use him.

*edit* technically speaking, all Hex missed out on was the meet with Takashi and the ambush. It's entirely possible that he just had some personal business to take care of and asked the group to meet him after picking up the new member. After all, he didn't know they were going to get ambushed.

And Dumori, if you get me a character within the next few hours your still in. I'm heading out till around 5 pm (my time) so I'll post an IC with my NPC smuggler once I get back.

My character is almost done. just finishing off the last few bits I have a few Qs so Ill PM them you.

Yeah, I'd love to hop back in. I'll try and read through the rest of the thread from where I left off.

Ok, next IC is up. Sorry Dumori, I can't wait for you any longer. I'm going with Relic.

If there is anything anyone wants to do before the meet with Relic feel free, even if you need to retcon it. Remember you've had a couple days to cool your heels.

So, the general plan, is
Get on board boat
Trash the many defenders
take control of boat?
Get the targets off the boat?

Will our transportation wait around?
Do folks think we are going to need to take control of the boat?
Anyone have a guess as to how many enemies there will be on board? (Some of them will be as good or better than KatanaMan.)

Mack / Joel

Imperialus,
Working through my Mercenary Captain, can I get a suit of Troll Sized Form Fitting Body Armor to wear under my Armorred Jacket? I am guessing it will cost about 2100 nuyen (1600 base 10% for size, and 20% for commission) and it is availability 8.

Are there easily available waterproof covers for commlinks?

Do Gecko gloves work on the outside of a boat at sea? (That would make getting me up on their boat, with a line, easier I suspect.)

Can I get an introduction to boats (knowsoft-1 on boats) so I can at least recognize the parts and controls? Won't help me drive (someone else better do that if we end up driving the boat) but can avoid many problems.

Joel / Mack

According to Takashi's contact Relic is supposed to wait around for you.



At availability 8, with 48 hours to kill, you would be able to get your hands on that no problem.

Yes, you can get waterproof covers for the comlinks no sweat.

Gecko gloves would work on a boat hull

You could get a Knowsoft 1 for Boating Background easily enough. Marinas and the like would sell those to tourists.

Actually, given my schedule lately, I'd better hold off on rejoining. I have a lot on my plate, and I don't think I'd keep up real well. I'll probably check the thread now and then, but...yeah. Too much to do, sadly. If I ever get time again, I'll let you know.

Hello? Maybe a stupid question... Who or what are we waiting on?

thanks,
Joel

It seems we're waiting on something, in any case. Given that imperialus has said he wanted to make the setting more participatory, whoever's still around could do contingency planning in the IC thread, which could serve as a basis for how the run might go when things pick up again. Of course, that requires a bit of faith that things will pick up again, but so it goes.

Alex

Gah! sorry. For some reason I got unsubscribed from these threads. I was beginning to think that the game had died.

To answer you questions, all I'm waiting on is IC posts from you guys. Getting to the meet, any IC stuff you want to do between the firefight outside of Ice's shop and now stuff like that. Joel, you had mentioned some gear you wanted to get from your merc captain contact that I ok'ed it's up to you if you want to RP the pickup or not. Feel free to play the captain's POV too.

Basically just a post describing what you do during the downtime, finishing up with your arrival at the meet. Sybercat will have the backup van pressed into service by then so you can assume she'll pick you up if necessary.

I just didn't want to write up a huge long IC post detailing the meet with Relic if all my players were gone