Okay surprise roll

01, 02, 03, 04, 04, 05, 05, 05, 15

Initiative:

28

Still looking for Init from Daed... I think.

Sorry, I thought I was waiting until after your ruling. I'll just do it this once, ronin, okay?

Yeah Rat and I were chatting about it on the LitS chat (feel free to join us).

I am going to go ahead and say it stands as is. Vinnie still woudl have asked who the guy was, and bearing Dragon physically attacking Tenmou, there wouldn't be much he could do to stop Vin from thinking they were together, I will post init in a few.

(I can't chat on this particular network, and I don't get on the other one for an hour and change yet.)

I drew a rough sketch on a online white board prgram. It works best if you download it and zoom in.

Palace layout and where everyone is


From where erebus is to the back of the booth area (where the 'goons' are) is 10 meters (about 30 feet) the whole place from the sitting bar to the wall is 6 meters wide.

Excellent Shadow. . .this will be very helpful in avoiding mass confusion as the action breaks out (though I hope that no lead starts flying).

When I see that lone "V" for Virgil I can't help but envision him floating in the air watching this entire scence play out.

Wait, I thought that 'V' was for Vinnie? Where's Vinnie, and where's Virgil Shadow?

Oh, and in the space between the booths and the bar (the 6 or so meters wide part) what, if any cover is in that walking area, especially near Dragon, Daedalus, and Tenmou?

V is for Vinie. Virgil is floating aroun in the nether.


The space between the booths and the bar is only 4 meters, the booths are 2 meters, ergo 6 meters.

No cover, other than behind the bar or in the booth.

Shadow, near where Erebus is standing is a symbol, is that the bar tender?

Also, how high is the bar? Could Erebus jump over the bar in an attempt to avoid high velocity lead poisoning?

Everyone beat the suprise test so you can act as a normal round. Reminder: no one has opened fire yet, but it is pretty clear that Vinnie intends to do with the Gat.

Edit: The bar is 4-5 feet high, easily jumped over. Yes that 'B' is for Bartender.

The good

Virgil (astral) 30
Erebus 28
Dragon 24
Tenmou 18
Daedulus 13

The Bad

Goon (A) 24
Bartender 23
Goon (B) 17
Vinnie 15

The Ugly

Should we go to posting our combat actions now? Erebus is going to jump over the bar on his first action and draw his weapon with his next action. We'll see what happens after that.

Can I post those? At least the leap over the bar.

As Virgil can have little effect on the real world (forgot he was astral) go ahead and post your action and an athletics test to cover it.

I'll post Virgil's move now because I will be detained for the better part of this evening. Virgil will be holding his actions in astral space and just observing for now. If he sees Vinnie trying to escape out the back he will call up his watchers and attempt to keep a trace on Vinnie.

No point in adding in magicial arsenal to an already volatile situation.

In my defense when you guys brought me on board I did specifically say something to the effect of...

I think it's that two out of five involved weren't expecting to personally experience that for themselves, quite so soon (ever) ...

Okay no athletics so default to Quickness:

Quick 8 + 1 Enhanced Artic.

01, 01, 03, 04, 05, 05, 05, 11, 16

Oh ya! That ought to do it.

Ah, but you have now put me in a situation where yours truly (who has watched many old-school John Woo movies himself) can feel free to try new and stupid, I mean, amazingly advanced gun-fu maneuvers.

First, I will fire 24 bullets from EACH Savalette Guardian, one in each hand. I can do this you see, because I know gun-fu level one, which allows me to fire more bullets in one action than should be humanly possible.

And even though it seems that I cannot anyway, because my guns don't carry that many bullets, the truth is, I am reloading, I'm just doing it so fast that no one can see me. That is gun-fu level 2.

And in the process, every possible breakable object in the room will somehow be shot and explode, even as the walls are streaked with bullet holes, thanks to gun-fu level 3.

And even though each goon will fall down dead with only one shot (after flying in the air 5 feet up and then backwards, even through the bar if necessary) thanks to gun-fu 4, the guaranteed one bullet kill, I will then showcase my true skill...

For even though I can kill anyone with but one bullet (sometimes many men with but one bullet) I will then slide along the ground towards Vinnie on my back, firing both guns simultaneously, hitting him with the other 22 rounds (that also miraculously destroyed the entire rest of the bar) lifting him into the air and then killing him 10 times before he hits the ground.

If I really feel like showing off, I will cause the world to spin multiple times in super slow motion as I lay on my back in an appropriately dramatic pose and squeeze off slooooooooowwwwwwwwwwww single shots, one gun at a time, just to kill him a few extra times in the air for bonus cool points.

On a more serious note, Shadow, is there enough room in the booth for Dragon to trying running/diving/sliding on the table past Vinnie so he ends up BEHIND him (drawing a gun/knife in the process) to attempt to take him hostage and end this quickly and bloodlessly?

I'm asking only if there's enough room to make it possible, of course, not if you'll let me, since it's obviously up to me to figure out if I wanna risk it or not. But if it's obvious there's no way there's enough space to pull it off, I won't even bother trying, and I think it's reasonable to say that Dragon would be able to see that immediately.

Also, are there only the two goons plus Vinnie and the Bartender in the restaurant Shadow? I didn't see any other guys noted. Or can we just not see them in the dining room area?

Shadow, I've posted Erebus' first move. My next action is going to be to draw the Predator, while I'm doing that I'm also going to look towards the bartender and yell "Wait!"

Once I've done that I'll have to see what else happens before I decide what I'm going to do next. I'll be unavailable in federal court for most of the rest of Thursday and I don't want to slow down the action with people waiting for me so if the posts make it that far don't hesitate to post for Erebus.

My character isn't going to hesitate to start shooting, anyone fires in his direction and he's going to start shooting back. Also, if Tenmou doesn't out with a weapon and start working I'm going to draw the Beretta with my left hand and throw it to him if I can. That should give you enough to work with if you need to post in my absense.

I am also going out of town for the weekend so I may not be available from Friday afternoon until Monday. Just to let everyone know.

Copy of Lits general OOC notice

Absence notice: Cedric gone from July 22-31.

Just so everyone catches it I'm going to be gone from July 22nd until July 31st. I am taking the first vacation I've had with my family is almost six years for that week and I promised my wife I wouldn't bring anything that will allow me to do any kind of work for the week. I'm even going to have to turn over my cell phone when we go to leave.

I will update the iniative in new posts as needed.

OK Shadow I'll try to make this as clear as possible so there's no confusion.

Dragon is going to be speaking, using free actions since phase 30. While he's doing that, on his turn (24), he will shift slightly and take a single step back so that he can see both Vinnie and the two goons, as well as being parallel to Tenmou. By my understanding, that shift and step should be a free action?

Note that Dragon's step back will take him slightly BETWEEN Daedalus and Tenmou, so that he can see the bartender out of the corner of his eye as well. I don't specify how close I am to/between the two of them because I'm estimating based on the map, but hopefully that gives you an idea of what I want the movement to look like.

Even if it's not Dragon will hold actions on his turn, to allow his words to hopefully sink in and cause Vinnie and the rest of the Mob to act differently.

For my held actions, if Goon A draws a weapon to fire on 24, Dragon will make a quickdraw test, and then make a called shot to the goon's weapon to attempt to knock it out of his hand. If the first shot doesn't do it, he will use the second shot for the same purpose.

Note as well that Dragon has two pistols, and therefore his held actions ALSO include the opportunity to quick draw and fire the second pistol as well. If the bartender and/or Goon B attempts to draw and fire a weapon, Dragon will make called shots to knock weapons out of their hands as well.

By my count, that brings my total actions for this phase to:

0: Free actions to speak, and to shift slightly.
Action 1a (Guardian 1): quick draw, called shot, and fire
Action 1b (Guardian 1): quick draw, called shot, and fire
Action 2a (Guardian 2): quick draw, called shot, and fire
Action 2b (Guardian 2): quick draw, called shot, and fire

Note that he will ONLY do this if they draw weapons, otherwise he's keeping his hands free of any weapons. Furthermore, because I am holding action, I reserve the option of changing what I do later on based on how the situation unfolds (e.g., if the bartender pulls an assault cannon out from behind the bar, all bets are off and I'm moving to Plan B).

I'm not going to roll for any of those shots yet, because since I'm holding and what I do depends on others, I'm not sure how many, if any, combat pool dice I will have available at those respective times.

Tenmou- Not to nitpick, but could you adjust the time please? Since combat turns are only 3 seconds long, that 5 second differential is almost 2/3 of the way through the next combat turn. Oh, and Dragon's thoughts are his, not mine. No bad feelings from me to you.

Cedric- I like your name change. Hopefully this place doesn't live up to the name you just gave it. And heck, I think Tony and Marquis might be closer to the OK Corral than we are. At least we're trying to talk things out like mature criminals.

Shadow- Hope that last post and my IC post are clear as far as illustrating my intentions? Let me know if there's any quesitons/problems.

I think you guys are taking a little liberty with your free actions. Free actions are a word, not a couple of sentences.

I understand your desire to not get caught up in a firefight, but you cant talk three sentences to a guy in .4 seconds. You can say a word, one.

Heh, thought you'd say that, but I saw SR13 going for it, so I thought I'd follow suit and shoot for some liberty. Can't blame a guy for trying, right?

I believe it's a number of words equal to your intelligence for that pass, actually, which means I'd get 7 words. I realize you just said 1, but there's a big difference between 1 and 7, so could you check/think it through, and give me a ruling, and I'll edit to match?

I removed my post... that's what I get for posting to the IC before checking the OOC... I was hoping to get under the wire and avoid combat...

SR13

Hahahahahahahahahahha. I can't blame you for trying. I'd give you an E for Effort at least.

If I had my SR3 with me at work I could give you a diffinitive answer. But I am %90 (as Monk says) certain that it is one word. Regardless of your int.

Ill ask on the main forums.

OK. I'll wait for a ruling from you then before proceding, because I don't have my SR3 with me at work either.

here is the section from SR3

"Each word spoken is a Free Action, but, for all practical purposes, characters can speak in a coherent phrase or two when necessary. The gamemaster may wish to enforce the single action-single word rule in order to control excessive, unrealistic conversations within the span of a Combat Turn (about three seconds.) Some gamemasters and players may, however, prefer elaborate communication."


So I will give you 3 words, 3 words only. SR13 could you please edit your post so that it isn't *post deleted*, thanks

(It's the transducer/heightened reflexes instinct)

Good point Sedna. That definitely altered my perceptions as well.

I don't get it.

I get it now.

(too much transducer use, instinct to communicate always at the speed of thought, doesn't mean anyone else understands you though)

(I burst out laughing at your final line, Cedric )

Shadow- Post is edited to 3 words, as per your instructions. Dragon is holding at this point onward. If something happens as per earlier caveats, he'll react accordingly (or something different, if something totally out of left field happens. In other words, he'll move to plan B).

Off to the doctor's now, be back later.

I'm back from doc, and I echo Sedna, I was cracking up at your last thought Cedric.

Rat, one quickdraw test please.

Sigh, so much for peace.

EDIT: Dragon has no weapons out. He will wait for the goon's first shot (and hope it isn't him!) before reacting, so Vinnie can see that they're not starting anything, and so they'll (hopefully) realize they (the Mob) has the drop on them, and then will be willing to talk from a position of strength.

Sorry Shadow! Chat kept booting me out!

Thats fine. You can do that.

Shadow, I'm going to leave my previous post alone, I was just curious about what the limits for the Free Action were after the discussion earlier with Rat.

I'm cementing things in my own mind.

Shadow- I'll get something up tomorrow morning.

Shadow- IC post is up.

As he interrupts the goon, Dragon is going to yell, "Gel rounds!" and quickdraw, then fire 4 shots, 2 from each gun. They're gel rounds, btw. Hence, the yelling 'gel rounds'.

Quickdraw Gun 1 = Reaction (4): 07 05 05 02 02 01
Quickdraw Gun 2 = Reaction (4): 17 05 04 04 02 01

Shot 1, Gun 1- Goon A who is firing:
Range = short; base TN = 4
Two guns: +2
Target Stationary: -1
No visibility or recoil: 0
TN: 5

Roll: 10 05 05 03 03 02 01 = 3 successes

Shot 2, Gun 1- Put a round near the bartender but trying NOT to hit him, just as a warning shot. Do I need to roll for this?

Shot 1, Gun 2- Goon B:
Range = short; base TN = 4
Two guns: +2
2nd Target: +2
Target Stationary: -1
No visibility or recoil: 0
TN: 7

Roll: 14 11 05 05 04 03 01 = 2 successes

Shot 2, Gun 2- Goon B:

Range = short; base TN = 4
Two guns: +2
2nd Target: +2
Target Stationary: -1
No visibility or recoil: 0
TN: 7

Roll: 11 09 05 05 03 03 02 = 2 successes

And the way Dragon's positioned himself, he should still be able to see Vinnie, so in case the Mob Boss wants to plug him, he can dodge.

As a Free Action for the phases AFTER his turn, Dragon will yell, "Vinnie chill! Let the messenger talk!" 9 phases pass between Dragon and Vinnie, so he's just yelling that sequentially, one word per phase (24 -15 = 9)

Let me know if you need anything else. Oh and again, I realize you could have more modifiers than what I had, that's just a baseline of how I'm seeing the situation. Of course if the TN (and thus my successes) change, let me know because I may use Karma Pool.

Also, hope the language was ok by you? Let me know if there's a need to edit my post and I'll do so. That about covers me, and I'll let you insert Dragon's yelling for free actions during the next several phases as you see fit, although he basically starts yelling as soon as his phase ends.

Ronin- Sorry man, REALLY didn't want to resort to this, but I don't want the Bartender AND both Goons getting free shots at us (literally!) while we're trying to talk. I don't have that many dodge pool dice available. Maybe if we take the goons out Vinnie will calm down a little and talk. I didn't figure sitting around with a sign over our heads reading 'Open Season' was condusive to good health and long life, you know? And hey, at least they're gel rounds.

Uhhh, WinterRat? [Erebus waves his hand in the air from where he's standing,RIGHT NEXT TO THE BARTENDER] exactly where is your "warning" shot going? Near the bartender but not actually hit him sounds dangerously close to where I'm standing. Don't take this wrong but if you shoot at me I'm going to shoot back.

Shadow, if you end up getting the party members caught in the middle of an open bar with little or no cover in a three way gun fight with each other and paranoid trigger happy mobsters I will acknowledge you the Gun-fu GrandMaster.

Cedric- It was my understanding you were behind the bar as in ducking down behind it so I couldn't see you. If that is incorrect I will modify, your IC post gave me the impression you were behind the bar crouched down, so I didn't think it woudl be an issue. I'm guessing from your last post that impression was incorrect. Let's figure this out here then, shall we?

Note to all (including me): read the inter-PC conflict resolution guidelines very carefully. That is the main reason I'm editing, so as not to give anyone remotely good IC rationale to start something.

Since inter-PC conflict is such a sensitive issue, and your point is well raised regarding Erebus's perceptions Cedric, I'm going to metagame slightly and just flat out ask:

Would it be acceptable if Dragon shot to the OTHER side of the bartender from you? From the picture, I'm assuming you are on the bartender's RIGHT (bartender POV), so Dragon will shoot on the bartender's LEFT. Is that acceptable to Erebus's perceptions as a non-hostile shot?

EDIT: Shadow, everything else Dragon does is the same, but pending discussion with Cedric on the topic (who may be on vacation by now) that warning shot may need to be changed.

For simplicity's sake, perhaps I could just shoot Goon A twice, or if Bandit/Shadow wants to rule Erebus will not fire back (since someone has to NPC him while he's on vacation) then we can leave the warning shot as is.

The more the chaos (I mean action ;0 ) unfolds in this scence, the more thankful I feel that Virgil is floating safely around the astral plane at the moment. Especially since the likelyhood of a mafia mage (damn that's a funny thought) showing up now is slim to none.

Shadow: Later on today I'll throw up some reactionay posts for Virgil as he observes the scene. Also, I'm going to declare the use of one of my held simple actions right now. I am going to ask Lazarius to go out to the front of the building and alert me if anyone begins to approach the restaurant ( ie . . cops or backup, but to a watcher, I'm sure it's all the same).

Just FYI,
Lazarius and Danagrath are two watchers that Virgil has summoned and bound for a week's time with karma. I make frequent use of them as I am trying to work them into Virgil's development as a PC.

*Again, an IC post will come a bit later today.