Heh... we're the bigoted bad guys

You'd be very welcome! A mage would be good (and I'll even throw in a power focus to counter effect the background count) but we could probably work in any character more or less

Nah, you're just misunderstood

...you've actually been surprisingly 'nice' so far, particularly with Armored's hatred of TMs...you even had one in your grasp at one point...

Thank you very much! I will post a character tomorrow. I am thinking of a witch hunter mage: tracking down and killing the magical threats.

Perfect, that's what we're doing!

Let me to introduce you to private third class Gash.

Gash doesn't look much: a wizened old man with lots of scars and a walking stick. Pleasant enough to talk to but very challenging. No one was sure why Deep watch keeps him on the team until you met that swarm of radiation spirits: they didn't last long. Gash was promoted to corporal for that. That didn't last long either.




I can see two modes of operation for Gash: staring out of a window/periscope/mage glasses and providing countermagic services, or astrally projecting from a rigger cocoon and providing astral support. I am not sure whether I can sustain countermagic while astrally projecting, but if so that sounds like the most useful option.

I would like to start with my sustaining focus having astral armour 4 maintained.

From comments in the initial recruitment request, I was of the opinion that the normal rating 12 limit on equipment had been lifted. If I am wrong I can quickly modify Gash to have more normal kit.

Edit: modified to include +2 power foci, and name correction. Also edited to change rank 3 spellcasting (manip) / 45K nuyen, to rank 4 countermagic (combat) / 20K nuyen.

Looks good to me, welcome to the team! (It's Deep Watch not Black Watch but that's a minor detail )

...as promissed you also have a rt 2 power focus 'free' which is just enough to counter the background count (hopefully shouldn't unbalance anything...)

In order to fit you in without disrupting the IC thread too much I'll have you flown in as backup for the insertion. I would rather have you on site rather than simply in the astral, particularly as you have the healing spell! So that you don't have to wait half an hour to join the action you will have been dispatched with a small recon unit when contact was lost with the main force...will add the details IC as soon as I can.

I should really have said that you are professional soldiers doing a job for the governmint against enemies of the state...it's not your fault the state is bigoted!

Healing from astral easy-pesy: Summon spirit of man with spell heal. Tell spirit of man to do its thing. Watch the spirit of man take the drain and not yourself.

I am cool with either way, and thanks for both the focus and inviting me

Is there any chance of getting a sitrep as my briefing. I have read the IC and OOC posts, and have a rough idea of what is going on. The map and pictures are nice and help a lot.

Does that count as spirit abuse? Especially if it knows you are quite capable of doing it yourself

Have a read of the IC post and ask any more specific questions you might have then

Someone check my maths please on Gash's eta... 80km from Fort Lewis to target as a direct line...FB Commando flies 500m/combat turn therefore 600kph therefore it'll take about 10mins to get there with accelerating and missing inconvienient obstacles?!?

@Sabs, I know you don't have a cybercombat skill, don't worry, neither does the machine sprite (defaulting all the way!)

Please roll initiative and an opening attack (assuming you wish to make one...)

Mission rosta updated to include Seth and some additional info...

Here

Well any spell that I ask him to do I can do myself

I think it would be abuse if he were likely to go unconscious from the drain...but as long as its stun drain, and using the 4 dice for 1 success rule he doesn't go unconscious I think its fair. Especially if I couldn't do it myself as I am not actually there... Your ruling though. (Do tell me if you think its unreasonable, as I strive for a happy fluffy relationship with spirits, less for unimportant things like people).

With the gift of the power focus (thank you) could I change the summoning focus into a counterspell(combat) focus?

I start sustaining a counterspell on the vehicle I am, the seargant and his men, and the 2 nimrods. My skill is 4, and I have a mentor spirit bonus giving a 6 die bonus. If you are happy with the change of foci, that will be 9 vs combat spells.

The following can be accessed from http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/search/760816

Then I summon a guidance spirit (Bobangi) rank 4, 2 optional powers: engulf and influence Magic 4 + summoning 4 + foci 2 (and I don't think we are in a background count yet) = 10 die 5 sucesses
Spirit rolls 4 die. 3 sucesses, so I have 2 services
I resist drain with willpower 6 + pain editor 1 + daredrenaline 1 + charisma 5 = 13 die. I soak all but 1 damage.
The first service I ask of Bobangi is to divine the future (see page 99 and 56 of streetmagic). He gets 8 die and (mu ha ha ... evil laugh ) gets 4 successes.

Matrix Initiative for Sticks: 11d6=4 6 1 2 3 5 3 5 2 5 4=4 hits, Initiative: 15
I have 4 IP
Attack Pool: 4-1=3d6 3 4 5 (1 hit)
Soak Pool: 9d6: 1 3 3 4 4 2 5 6 4: 2 hits

@ Sabs, just did a quick refresher on matrix combat – this battle is likely to be a stalemate as neither of you can hit the other (without being seriously lucky as you’re both defaulting and it’s vs. Response+Firewall) so perhaps you have some tricks up your sleeve (like uploading an attack program or something more devious?), or call in Reid to blat the thing?!? Matrix rules aren't exactly my strong point so I'm sure you can surprise me with something

@ Seth, foci are fine, will consider the fortune telling and get back to you… as you don’t have a material link for the forces opposing you I’m guessing the spirit has to go and sniff around the tower…?!? Or are you the target of the vision?



@ J. please roll an infiltration and perception test (the last would have to be seriously crap not to see squad 2 when they come in…)

Infiltration 4 hits, Perception 2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2847086/)

@Aria: I did have an idea, actually. Do I still have an account on the Nimrod? If so I want to innitiate a Reboot Procedure.

Assuming they didn't edit out our backdoor accounts, which it doesn't sound like they did. (That's what the codes were for) it's system+response(10),combat round)

I got it in 3 rolls:
roll 1: 8d6: 6 6 6 2 6 6 2 2
roll 2: 8d6: 3 4 5 4 1 5 1 6
roll 3: 8d6: 3 6 2 6 6 5 1 4

so it would take me 3 combat rounds to reboot the damn thing.
Then it takes the same roll to restart before it opens up the node.

It's not ideal. I'll admit but it's something.
Other option is to have Reid come in and beat the crap out of it.

Unless, you let me crash the node using my backdoor access codes? That would take me 1 IP, and the nimrod would reboot and come back up in 5 combat turns by itself.

Wouldn't it crash? Unless it was high enough in the air?

@Aria
To be honest I haven't used this power before...but it looks cool.

I am mostly concerned about what foes I am going to face, so I guess that makes me the target of the vision. I am mostly going to be going for dual natured or spirit creatures perhaps the odd mage.

Edit: replaced have with haven't...its important to get the NOT part correct

It's ugly, yes. But I have no hacking skills, per Aria's request

And, they're pretty high up in the air. They might not crash. Still, dead nimrods are better than nimrods shooting at us.


I probably want to get Reid to come kick this things ass. And that's what he'll try first.
I just kinda want to resolve the thing before posting, instead of posting part of the action, etc.. etc.

Yeah, sorry about the lack of hacking skills...didn't think that one through too hard did I

Would it really crash if the control went offline for 15 secs? I know that's a long time to be flying at the ground and it won't have any sort of autogyrate on it but...? Not being a 'plane' expert I'd go with the assumption that it'd carry on in a straight line without a command (unless it was massively windy which it isn't as it's a balmy August night...)

Why not just get Reid to deal with No. 2 (easy enough) and before he goes get him to upload a copy of an Attack program to your commlink (assuming it can take any more programs on top of the tacsoft and all those drones?)

EDIT: The three rnd reboot is less flashy but would work just as well

No problem, will try and get an IC post to you shortly...food first though!

I HAVE an attack program

otherwise I'd be rolling 0 dice
the roll is cybercombat+attack program (4 -1 for defaulting =3)

Unless you want me to roll logic+program?

I think i'll have Reid take care of #2, and reboot this one? It's less flashy, but it'll work.
If Reid can take care of the otherone, I'll jump over to it afterwards and take control of it, while the first 1 is rebooting.

There I go again, I'd assumed it was attack program plus defaulted cybercombat (logic -1) but then you'll probably tell me it's a non default skill?!? Temp house ruling - Attack+Cybercombat (defaulted)

Go beat the crap out of it!!! (Although it's still rolling 10D to resist the attack sooo...)

well, that's not quite how it works

I roll attack+logic-1, IT rolls attack+rating winner does damage

Damage = Rating of attack program+net hits
Soak = system+armor (unless it's doing damage to ME and not my Matrix Icon (black ic)

so I'd be rolling: 4+9-1=12D6: 6 2 5 3 5 1 3 5 5 4 2 5 (6) Hits
DV: 4+hits.

My Condition Monitor is 10.5 (not sure if you round up or down) The condition monitor of the sprite is .. I have no idea.

Really??

Ah, I miss read that part of the matrix attack rules. :/

Although not sure what response+firewall means for a sprite

Just that...it has those stats

Isn't it like a spirit, where the stats are based on the force of the spirit - with a sprite, the stats are based on it's rating?

See page 242, SR4a. Machine sprites Response = force, Firewall = force+2

I'd like to summon a guardian spirit force 5 (still away from background count I hope) with 4 services: Lugando the brave. Lugando has concealment and element attack (lightning)

So Aria, what's the resolution of the combat, so I can post up at least the first couple rounds?

Whichever way you achieve it the sprite can't possibly win as it isn't equipped to fight in cyberspace. It's your choice on the reboot or cyber combat and I'm happy for you to write up either! By 22:49 you'll be back in charge of the first Nimrod (and have the other one if you send Reid over to it)...

Aren't I nice

I just think it's funny that with my Logic being as High as it is, I get more dice defaulting, than if I had the real skill

(this is why i like logic+skill) max hits program, they never did explain how to default in the matrix.

I'm gonna beat the snot out of it, and send Reid after #2

I'll write it up now.

@Klinktastic:

You should respond to Gash.. You're the ranking Officer

Updating post 2 of this thread yet again to give you a complete list of NPC names on the mission - that way it might mean more when you get them killed (they might even get personality write-ups if I have time)

Hey Aria - Do you think you could post a status update as to what, where, and how everyone is doing? I think I'm getting a little confused as to where everyone's at currently. Thanks!

22:50, where everyone is:

Command squad in LAV on terrace lvl 3 (Cpt and Lee are out of it, Sticks and Reid have just regained control of the Nimrods - will write that IC soon)

Squad 1 in tunnels in Hobbiton, at least two armed people ahead of them...

Squad 2 about to breach the tower at lvl 3 (not currently under fire and they do have two mages with them sooo...)

Heavy Squad is on foot near the river (where the hackers got them dropped off pretending to be the Captain) Dozer is being attacked by spirits - lots of spirits

Response team is inbound on an FB Commando - you need to tell them where to land (Don't forget the tower has air defenses)! Gash has come ahead in astral to help squad 2 (?)

Think that's about it...

Enjoy

Here we go!

I'm on my way to the tower.

• Assensing: 4 successes
• Force 4 mana barrier up and running
• Countermagic 3 or 5 die from Legundo (not sure...I don't think skills are reduced, only force and attribute, but just tell me and I am happy)
• Nett effect, people within barrier get 7 or 9 die bonus to their resistance rolls.

If there are any obvious spirits around, the mana barrier will be a spirit zapper instead



By the way, I am going astrally as the time line implies this is the only way to get there quickly. If you want I am happy to wait until I get their physically, although I am probably better just being astral

I thought you were going to help HEavy Squad

I was confused:

But fortunately aria has set me straight.

OK sorry for the chaos...I am with team 2: standard military SNAFU: just read Black Hawk Down.

If I remember correctly, Tantilla's a retired PC, so are you going to IC him aria?

When I join heavy squad:

• Is there a background count? Its a long way from the tower
• How many spirits are there, and how clumped are the troops?
• Are any of the troops dead or downed?

The Heavy squad called for backup AFTER Gash had set off in astral to go to team 2 - Tantilla can always redirect him to assist the Heavies (He's a Lt. too)

Amusingly if I had replied 10 mins later in real life (I looked at the time stamps ... I posted IC 8:28, and the sitrep was at 8:38) , I would have had the perfect excuse to disobey orders. Its so satisfying to disobey orders...so I guess I will just have to wait for my next opportunity

Background count:


It also reduces spirit force, active spells etc...p118 Street Magic

A few game questions for you

• The map of Stillwater is very useful. Is there any chance you could mark where the heavies are on it? Or are they already on it and I am just missing them?
• Is the background count just because we are in a very unpleasant place?
• When I get closer to the tower does the background become aspected?

As I approach the tower I will ask Legundo to conceal us (I think thats 2 services so far: countermagic and concealment).
I think as we approach we are -5 difficulty to be assensed: -2 from the background count (it upsets visibility and assensing too IIRC) , and -3 from the concealment

I'm not really sure what to roll for Dahlia looking up treatment for Psychotropic IC.

I don't think its a well defined part of the system. I couldn't find much in the core books about treating it.

I think it gives you a flaw, which by RAW must be bought off with karma.

Ouch! Actually I'll say that again: really really Ouch.

Yeah...it's mean.