[Tecumseh]

And, regarding the game, this is either my favorite or my 2nd favorite game/campaign I've ever run in 22+ years of Shadowrun. The only reason it might be 2nd place is because the other game was 19 years ago and might be benefiting from rose-tinted hindsight.

My only regret about this game is that we lost 8-bit. Everything else has been a joy, which is good because it's basically been a part-time job. The sheer number of hours makes me quaver at the thought of ever attempting anything like it again, even though it's gone so well. I'm at 1,185 posts (275 IC and 910 OOC) since this game started, although some of those came before I was GM. Still, if we estimate 30 minutes a post on average (which might actually be on the low side, given rolling, rule research, and then writing it all up), then that's 500-600 hours of GMing over the last 11 months. (Part of that is my fault, as I'm a stickler for internal consistency and staying true to the canon as much as humanly possible.) So, yes, a part-time job for sure. But, as they say, enjoy your job and you'll never work a day in your life. Or somesuch.

I don't know if it rises to the level of "regret", but I haven't touched half of the crazy crap Ryo suggested for the game. Part of me wonders if he was really planning on shoehorning it all in or if he was going to pick and choose based on how things went. If he was going to use it all, it would have made for a very frantic, hair-on-fire type of game, like a farce where the improbabilities stack upon each other until the whole structure threatens to collapse under the collective weight of the accumulated plot. I pumped the brakes a bit and went in a more realistic direction (relatively speaking) since that's where my sensibilities lie, but part of me still is curious how the game would have gone with Ryo at the helm.

[Malevolence]

I'm actually kind of looking forward to the end of the campaign so that we can finally learn all of the secrets that we missed during the campaign (and some of those surprises Ryo had planned...). But at the same time, I'm gonna miss the little dwarf and his misfit group of chummers. The choices have never been easy and many times I've agonized over them for days, and on rare occasion procrastinated making a decision because there just seemed to be no good one to make. And every second was awesome.


I wish I still had the time I did back when I joined this game to give it the focus it deserves, but my life has changed almost as dramatically as the characters we're playing. Between this and the Hunters campaign, I've got more on my plate, PbP wise, than I can handle, so my posting frequency/quality has taken a notable hit. So in that regard, it's a bit of a relief that this is winding down, even though I half wish it would never end.


With that said, let's do this thing. Oversumoning is out, but what do people think about a spirit or software backup for the Dead Man Switch? Any other input on how we should set things up before we pull the trigger?


In regards to Kat's question, Ohanzee fully expects to have everything ready within the 24 hours that Canon asked for so that this can go down ASAP. Once we've hammered out some of the details OOC, Ohanzee will address that IC.

[Poindexter]

I wish I still had the time I did back when I joined this game to give it the focus it deserves, but my life has changed almost as dramatically as the characters we're playing. Between this and the Hunters campaign, I've got more on my plate, PbP wise, than I can handle, so my posting frequency/quality has taken a notable hit. So in that regard, it's a bit of a relief that this is winding down, even though I half wish it would never end.

You pull words from my very brain, sir.

When this game started, I was on unemployment, barely eating grilled cheese sandwiches, and had NOTHING BUT time on my hands. Now, it seems the meters have flipped and I'm certain of where my next meal is coming from, but I barely have time for a post a day, and I have to decide between the three games I'm in, as to which. Such is the life of a prole, it seems, eh?

[Tecumseh]

My life has certainly changed as well. A year ago Tec Jr. wasn't on the radar and now here he is, up at odd hours of the night.

We'll wait for rednblack to get back today before we move too far forward. I have a quite horrible day tomorrow which involves getting up at 4am to catch a flight down to LA, then spending the day in meetings, then returning late at night. I probably won't be able to post until Wednesday, unless I get some done on the plane.

With respect to people's availability, there is a possibility (but certainly not a guarantee) of dropping into initiative passes in the near future. If that happens, I am generally going to be allotting 24 hours for someone to declare their actions. (This excludes weekends.) If you need help rolling or figuring out your options, please ask, but if 24 hours have gone by without anything finalized then the character is going to Hold Action and we'll move down the initiative order. Our last major action sequence (excluding the bandersnatchii) was three weeks, which is reasonable given the nature of PbP, but I want to make sure that three weeks doesn't turn into three months.

I haven't heard any major revisions to the initial plan. I will presume that the team will pick up a couple extra satellite links to act as redundancies, but other that I don't think I've heard of anything else. Go through your shopping lists now and speak up soon for any last-minute purchases. After the drones and satellite links, you still have ¥3,600 in cash to spend (and 24 hours to spend it).

I'll roll some preparations for Katsina to hand out when I find a block of time.

@Malevolence Roll for your summoning when you have a chance.

[Zweiblumen]

Yeah, Doc would want to scatter a bunch of Sat-uplinks around the vicinity (as far as he can get away with in the time allotted... dunno if we can do drone drops or not).  And have them all active, then he needs to get in the RV and GTFO.  I'm down with having him program a simple agent to act as a failsafe DMS.

[Malevolence]

Summon Bear (F6/7, w/Centering) [Magic 6 + Summoning 6 + Focus 2]: 14d6t5 2
I'm going to let this ride and just reattempt the summon once he successfully resists.
Summoning Resist [Force 6/7]: 7d6t5 2
No surprise.
Drain Resist [Charisma 6 + Magic 6 + Centering 2]: 14d6t5 5
vs. 2 hits from the spirit x 2 = 4, so no damage.
Here we go again:
Summon Bear (F6/7, w/Centering) [Magic 6 + Summoning 6 + Focus 2]: 14d6t5 4
Low-Average. I'm going to risk it.
Summoning Resist [Force 6/7]: 7d6t5 3
Predictable. This'll hurt a bit.
Resist Drain [WIL 6 + CHA 6 + Centering 2]: 14d6t5 7
Target was 6, so no damage again - color me surprised. If only I could have rolled that well on the summoning test.


So, I have one whopping service. Hopefully all I need - just to stand guard until we have gotten to relative safety.

[Poindexter]

Well, Sam COULD use some more APDS rifle ammo and some more nades for the launcher, but i understand that kinda stuff is hard to get hold of up here in the PCC.

[Tecumseh]

Indeed it is. The only ammo types that are readily available in the PCC are those that could feasibly be used for hunting. That means ammo for shotguns and rifles, either regular, flechette, gel, or stick-n-shock. (You already have each ammo type for a shotgun except gel. For rifles I think you have regular and flechette.) Assault rifles are a big no-no and APDS is a big "ARREST ME NOW".

But, you know the old adage: "Shoot straight, conserve ammo, and never, ever deal with a dragon". Sam could use the sniper rifle configuration for his HK if he wants to avoid using burst fire. The rules aren't clear whether the grenade launcher works with all configurations or just the assault rifle/carbine, but I say he can have a sniper rifle + grenade launcher combo.

Don't forget what you have in the team inventory too. All of these are throwing grenades, not mini grenades for a launcher:
3 high explosive grenades
2 smoke grenades (regular smoke, not thermal)
2 flash-bang grenades
1 chemical grenade (tear gas)

[Tecumseh]

In case it makes a difference, we're going to do a full Edge refresh now. Everyone is back to 100% Edge for the final day.

@Malevolence If you want to roll Edge to add services to Bear, you may.

@Poindexter Does Sam want any of the throwing grenades? He has the highest dice pool for them, although he will have to balance how far away he wants to be (for sniping) versus how close he wants to be for grenade chucking.

@rednblack Does Chino want any of the throwing grenades? His dice pool isn't super-reliable (7 dice) but he could probably get someone's attention.

I may adjust the scatter rules to account for snow. If Sam and/or Chino don't want the grenades, Katsina will take them. She's a good thrower, and could probably get cause some mischief with Magic Fingers.

CFD folks, don't forget you can do an Attribute Boost with your infection. Roll your nanite volume; hits can be distributed among Physical attributes as a temporary boost. The boost lasts for rounds = hits. After that time, you take Stun = hits.

Nanite volume
Doc - 10
Chino - 6
Ohanzee - 3
Ace - 1

[Poindexter]

With respect to people's availability, there is a possibility (but certainly not a guarantee) of dropping into initiative passes in the near future. If that happens, I am generally going to be allotting 24 hours for someone to declare their actions. (This excludes weekends.) If you need help rolling or figuring out your options, please ask, but if 24 hours have gone by without anything finalized then the character is going to Hold Action and we'll move down the initiative order. Our last major action sequence (excluding the bandersnatchii) was three weeks, which is reasonable given the nature of PbP, but I want to make sure that three weeks doesn't turn into three months.

Due to Sam's state of mind recently, I've had the luxury of being able to slack a little bit on posting, but TRUST that once shit gets rolling again, I'll be here every day.

and he DOES indeed want the grenades, although he's more than willing to split them up, or even give them up to chino if he's got a really good idea for them.

Also, just in case... Do I even GET a roll for soak and all that whatnot if I should, say, swallow a live grenade whole? Or am I just dead?

[Tecumseh]

Also, just in case... Do I even GET a roll for soak and all that whatnot if I should, say, swallow a live grenade whole? Or am I just dead?

An interesting question. In general, everyone gets a soak roll for everything, even point-blank shots to the brainbox.

The grenade rules seem to be designed around the assumption that the target only absorbs a fraction of the blast, given that the blast spreads out in every direction, not just toward the target. It is these radiating blast waves and their potential rebounding that create the famous chunky salsa effect.

For the improbable scenario of swallowing a grenade, or other T-1000 scenarios, I would double the damage value to represent the fact that the grenade is able to do its damage in every direction, not just in one direction. Armor and Body bonuses from bone lacing would apply, but not from external sources, like dermal plating.

[rednblack]

I'm back from my conference and playing catch-up.  Regular posting should resume sometime tomorrow.  Thanks for your patience.

Lots to catch up on, and I'm really looking forward to this meet.  More to come.

[Tecumseh]

I'm back from my business trip too. Here are what I see as the next steps:

1. Sometime today, or tomorrow at the latest, I'll do an IC post for the "overnight" between Tuesday the 5th and Wednesday the 6th.
2. I will probably advance to the meet early next week. I need the weekend to finish stating up the (potential) opposition.
3. That gives you (the PCs) a few days to IC post about what you're doing pre-meet, be it shopping, praying, or summoning. Katsina will work on some preparations. I'm hoping everyone will post at least once.
4. We should also hammer out the final plan details ICly or OOCly during this time. You still have ¥3,600 to spend, if you want.
5. When it comes time for the meet, I will likely advance things via a long cut scene. The downside of this is that it robs you of some ability to interrupt and/or act preemptively; the upside is it is more cinematic, provides me some opportunity for exposition, and also ensures that nobody is caught out-of-position or otherwise unable to act for the duration of initiative passes, if any.

[rednblack]

Ok, so lots to catch up on.  Like everyone else here, I think this has been a fantastic way to spend a year, and while I'll be sad to put Ace down, I'm really looking forward to our last act.  I hope we can get a view behind the scenes once this is complete.

It looks like the planning is mostly complete, and I'm pretty comfortable with it.  Ready to move.

If I can, I'll get an IC up, mostly focusing on Chino, as Ace will likely just follow Sam's lead for the preparations.  Chino doesn't need any grenades, though, so let's keep those with the folks who can throw well.  Ace will grab the shotgun.

For the prep, after doing what Sam says, Ace will hunker down under a space blanket and some snow, preferably where trees will provide some cover.  I'd like to be on the opposite side of the negotiating team, where Ace can flank the approaching party from behind.

Looking forward to the cinematic post, Tec. 

[Malevolence]

I don't need to kill to feed, especially if I'm infertile.

Not sure what to make of that...