Wednesday, October 30, 2013

27- Murder-Boner

Soo: [Kali dVostog] "Going to go out on a limb here and say we should run right about now, folks."
Kyle: [Bailey Hunt] "Sounds like a plan. Leg it everyone, back to the hotel."
Ian: [Mari Shasho] Mari doesn't even wait for a plan and starts running for it.
Joe: [GR-210] GR crawls off, depressed at the lack of executions to be made. "My batteries are fueled with the blood of the unjust! Why do you deprive me?!"
Soo: [Kali dVostog] "One, no they aren't, I know because I have to change them. Two, they weren't the unjust."
Kyle: [OOC] Unkempt maybe, but not unjust.
Joe: [OOC] Then Mari is unjust for killing them, therefore I can drink her blood instead.
Ian: [OOC] We are not murdering my character.
Joe: [OOC] Not 'we'. ME. Like I'd share the experience for that.
Dane: [GM] You arrive at the hotel, having sprinted there and appearing to have not been followed. When you get there, you feel the SUDDEN URGE TO BE IN CHARACTER.
Kyle: [Bailey Hunt] Bailey pants and rests his hands on his knees. "Okay, sah we got a lead. Granted we may have committed some felonies to get it, but we got a lead."
Joe: [GR-210] "GR-210 agrees. The lives of people who are not ourselves are worthless. I support your new, efficient lifestyle Bailey Hunt".
Kyle: [Bailey Hunt] Bailey suddenly just feels a bit dirty inside.
Kyle: [OOC] There's something about Joe's approval, even in character, that's just mildly corrosive to the soul.
Ian: [Mari Shasho] "I'm sorry. I panicked. I though Bailey would get hurt. We got a lead anyhow. Let's follow it."
Soo: [Kali dVostog] "Yes," Kali says, nodding. "The supplier. Especially if we're there poking around, we seem less involved in that little... er... incident."
Kyle: [Bailey Hunt] "Shall we then? There's only one in town, based on the info Mari got. Shouldn't be too hard to find."
Soo: [Kali dVostog] Kali nods. "Then let us away."
Dane: [GM] Rothberg Suppliers Co. is the only shop selling hiking gear and survey equipment in town. It's fairly large establishment, probably one of the reasons why it's the only one in town.
Joe: [OOC] I don't remember saying I was ready to go.
Dane: [GM] Were you?
Joe: [OOC] Yes, of course, but it's the principle of the thing.
Ian: [Mari Sasho] Mari walks into the shop, looking around.
Dane: [GM] The shop's walls are full of camping gear and rope of every imaginable size. A display of climbing axes is over on the wall, clearly arranged artful by some bored clerk. The counter is at the far end of the store.
Dane: [Fredrich Rothberg] Fredrich Rothberg is a fairly built man who clearly uses a lot of the hiking gear he sells. He smiles from under a large beard. "Well hello there. Don't think I've seen you all in town before. Hiking party?"
Soo: [Kali dVostog] "Oh hello sir. Actually we're looking for someone in town and we were told he may have visited here." Kali walks over to Fredrich and holds out her photo of Dillon Johnson. "About a week ago perhaps?"
Dane: [Fredrich Rothberg] "Hmm, don't think I've ever seen him before. Looks too city-bred to be up here hiking."
Joe: [OOC] I'm sensing his motives.
Soo: [OOC] What?
Joe: [OOC] I'm rolling to see if he's lying. It's a thing, trust me.
[Joe] ROLLS. [GM] RECEIVES RESULTS.
Dane: [GM] I'll be blunt, Rothberg is CLEARLY lying. 
Joe: [GR-210] "Warning! I detect bullshit here."
Kyle: [OOC] *facepalm*
Soo: [Kali dVostog] "Is that so GR? Mr. Rothberg, my associate seems to think you're being less than truthful."
Dane: [Fredrich Rothberg] Fredrich seems less than pleased at this, understandably. "Well I never! Some little robot spider spouts its mouth off in my store?"
Joe: [OOC] Kyle, Ian, tackle him! Keep him from getting to the climbing axes.
Kyle: [Bailey Hunt] Bailey gets defensive!
Soo: [Kali dVostog] "Now now everyone, I'm sure we're all just getting off on the wrong foot." She walks over to the display of climbing axes on the wall.
Joe: [OOC] Good idea! A weapon will offset your low strength score.
Soo: [Kali dVostog] Kali picks out a the nicest one she can find on the shelf and walks back to the group.
Joe: [OOC] AIM FOR THE BEARD. IT'S HIS NATURAL WEAKPOINT.
Ian: [Mari Shasho] Mari looks around nervously.
Ian: [OOC] Normally I'd stop this, but I think my unjustified homicide count is up for the day.
Soo: [Kali dVostog] "I'd like to purchase three of these, if you have them. And some cold weather clothes for myself and my two non-robot associates."
Soo: [OOC] Money is the best diplomacy. 
Joe: [OOC] You owe me paper. I already started fanart of you axing this guy.
Dane: [Fredrich Rothberg] Fred starts to realize just how much cash you just dropped and probably puts together with your speech that you're a noblewoman. He seems suddenly defused. "Right away miss."
Dane: [GM] Rothberg packs up your purchases and takes your money, now in a much better mood.
Soo: [Kali dVostog] "Thank you, now. If I were to be hiking but I didn't want to be too far from others for safety, where would I go? To hike near other people?" She winks like hell as she implies it all.
Dane: [Fredrich Rothberg] "Well, the south side of town has a trail to the shallow side of the mountian. It's a good place to take a group." He winks back. "Of course, I'm not in the business of giving directions."
Soo: [Kali dVostog] Kali nods and turns to leave with the purchases. "Thank you."
Joe: [OOC] My murder-boner is feeling entirely unjustified.

Monday, October 28, 2013

26- NPC: New Points Coming

Dane: [GM] I think at this point we can regroup the party. Any objections to some convenient show-up-ness?
Soo: [OOC] Nope!
Kyle: [OOC] I'm good with that. Am I on fire?
Ian: [OOC] I'm fine with that.
Dane: [GM] Kali sees the explosion from down the street. Shit looks like it's gotten quite real over there.
Joe: [GR-210] GR-210, lethal yet compact spider android death machine jumps into action, skittering down the street towards the battle!
Soo: [Kali dVostog] Kali bolts off after GR-210 "Come back here GR! It might be dangerous!"
Joe: [GR-210] "I shall save you some half-alive corpses to kick my lady! To blood and glory!"
Ian: [Mari Shasho] Mari staggers to her feet, checking on Bailey. "You okay Hunt?"
Kyle: [Bailey Hunt] "I'm okay I guess. Can we consult before the next thing you explode eh?" He gets up and dusts off his jacket.
Joe: [OOC] Who is available besides the lovebirds over there?
Kyle: [OOC] Just once, could you think in story terms rather than experience points?
Dane: [GM] You mean like, other victims of the firey explosion? Rolling around and burning to death? There's several.
Joe: [GR-210] The lethal mech launches itself into the air, using it's head as a projectile to land on the nearest target!
Soo: [OOC] For the love of various gods...
Dane: [GM] Sigh, I guess you land on a burning miner, crawling away from the scene.
Joe: [GR-210] "I still get experience if I land the deathblow!" GR-210 begins to stab the man to death with his robo-spider legs.
Ian: [OOC] I think you meant that first part to be OOC.
Joe: [OOC] Maybe my mech's programing just-so-happens to be using the same sort of terminology as a roleplaying game? Seriously, stop nitpicking my roleplay you elitist!
Dane: [GM] Since the man is dying already and I'm desperate to get past this event, I'm not going to involve rolls and just say he dies.
Joe: [OOC] I hardly find that a satisfying resolution.
Dane: [GM] Screaming horribly. And you get experience points.
Joe: [OOC] Consider me resolved.
Soo: [Kali dVostog] "Bailey! Mari! Are you okay? What happened?!" She pulls out her handgun, ready for conflict.
Ian: [Mari Shasho] "There was a complication at the bar, then there was an explosion that happened for no clear reason." She phrases the last part as pointedly as she can.
Soo: [Kali dVostog] "I... see... Please tell me, did you find any hints about Dillon Johnson?"
Dane: [GM] I'll interject here and tell Ian what Mari learned while off-camera. A man matching Dillon Johnson's description arrived in town last week, spent quite a lot of money at a supply shop in town and then disappeared. People thought maybe he was a surveyor for the mining company but he bought his equipment with Imperial marques, so he's probably from the city like you all.
Ian: [Mari Shasho] Mari says all the stuff that the magical voice inside our heads just said.
Soo: [Kali dVostog] "That's a pretty damn solid lead. We should be able to work with that."
Ian: [Mari Shasho] "I could have gotten more but things got... complicated" she says, looking to Hunt.
Kyle: [Bailey Hunt] Bailey picks up his hat and puts it back on. "I'd like ta think it was just some very hostile negotiatin'."
Kyle: [OOC] I'd like to think Bailey is fairly competent even if his rolls don't show that.
Joe: [OOC] Going by actual contributions to the party, he's a bigger load than me and I was, until very recently, a head in a knapsack.
Soo: [Kali dVostog] "I think we ought to leave now, before the police show up."
Ian: [Mari Shasho] Mari nods. "We should get moving."
Joe: [OOC] For reals? We're just leaving all these enemies half finished-off enemies to die of their wounds? We're really passing up all this experience? Think about it Ian, but common sense, you've got a half-stake in all these kills. We're talking serious Build Points.
Kyle: [OOC] They aren't enemies Joe. It was a bad situation and we're leaving now!
Soo: [OOC] Joe uses the terms 'enemies' and 'victims' rather interchangeably.
Joe: [OOC] I used to call them all NPCs: New Points Coming, but Dane felt it was undermining his storytelling. 
Dane: [GM] Not my storytelling, my faith in humanity.

Friday, October 25, 2013

25- The Rub

Dane: [GM] Anything else you want to do Soo? I'll just assume you wait for GR-210's new tiny... tiny body to be attached.
Soo: [OOC] Yeah, let's do that.
Kyle: [OOC] I'm up then, right?
Dane: [GM] Yep. What shall Mr. Hunt do today?
Kyle: [Bailey Hunt] Bailey gets off the couch at the hotel and decides to back up Mari a bit. He's just going to go check in on her since he wasn't too keen on his injured buddy going into hostile territory alone.
Soo: [OOC] It started as Joe's joke but I am starting to wonder if Bailey and Mari have er... something going on.
Ian: [OOC] Nah, it's just Kyle and I designed our characters together so they have a lot of backstory.
Kyle: [OOC] Exactly. Bailey likes Kali and tolerates GR-210, but Mari is his old buddy-cop type partner so if he's going to put his mind to helping out, it'll be her.
Dane: [GM] The bar Mari went to is still just as busy as it was when she first entered several hours earlier.
Kyle: [OOC] Ooh, hey. Just had an idea to get things moving. Ian, is Mari in good with the locals yet.
Ian: [OOC] I think so.
Kyle: [OOC] Show time...
Kyle: [Bailey Hunt] Bailey saunters in, making no secret of his pistols at his waist. He lets his duster blow back so everyone knows he's packing heat. His demeanor is gruff and menacing. He walks up to the bar and puts a hand on Mari's shoulder from behind like he's grabbing her. "Sah this is where ya scurried off to. Yer lady changed her mind bout givin' you time off. Back tah the grind missy."
Ian: [Mari Sasho] Mari looks over her shoulder and immediately realizes Bailey is acting very different. She thinks she has the idea. "M.. mister Hunt sir. I did- didn't see you come in. I... I'll go back now. Don't take the pistol out again! I'm going!"
Dane: [GM] Ooooh, I see.
Dane: [GM] The patrons of the bar seem to be discomforted by Hunt's bravado and brutality. Several move to get up.
Joe: [OOC] THAT was the plan? Get everyone in the bar more sympathetic to Mari by treating her like crap?
Dane: [GM] Kyle I'm gonna need a gist of what you're doing for rolling purposes. This room is getting hostile.
Kyle: [Bailey Hunt] Bailey pulls out one of his revolvers and yanks Mari off her stool, shoving her towards the door. "Well? What you lotta scumbags want? You think ya got the brass huh?"
Dane: [GM] Intimidation roll ahoy.
Kyle: [OOC] My highest social skill. Go forth my dice!
[Kyle] ROLLS. [GM] RECEIVES RESULTS.
Dane: [GM] Failure. A patron decides he's had enough of you and flings a chair at Bailey.
Soo: [OOC] *starts to rub her dice on Kyle's head*
Kyle: [OOC] Dare I ask?
Soo: [OOC] I'm hoping if I can rub my dice on you hard enough yours will stop being so mean.
[Dane] ROLLS. [GM] RECEIVES RESULTS.
Dane: [GM] The chair beans you directly across the shoulders and shatters, dealing you one Moderate Blunt wound.
Mari: [Mari Shasho] Mari realizes the situation is getting out of hand very quickly and tries to resolve it without blowing her cover. "Um yeah! Kick his ass. Now let's chuck him outside in the snow.
Dane: [Some Random Miner] "Nah, let's kill him first. I say we skin his ass and use it to strangle his bitch nob boss for yah Mari."
Joe: [OOC] Nice character names there.
Dane: [GM] Hush I'm working on the fly.
Kyle: [Bailey Hunt] Bailey rolls his shoulders trying to shrug off the wound. "Tough crowd. Hey now gents, let's not make this more difficult than it has to be." He calmly punctuates the sentence by whipping around and shooting whoever threw the chair.
[Kyle] ROLLS. [GM] RECEIVES RESULTS.
Dane: [GM] You attempt to whip around and shoot your attacker but you just succeed in shooting a shelf behind the bar, sending gallons of alcohol to the floor.
Soo: [OOC] *rub rub*
Kyle: [OOC] Thanks...
Ian: [Mari Sasho] Mari looks around nervously than suddenly has an idea. She ducks back to the corner so she can see behind the bar!
Dane: [GM] Um... there's a pool of alcohol behind the bar, dripping through the floorboards to the baseme... no really what are you doing?
Ian: [Mari Sasho] Mari conjures a small matchhead worth of fire and flicks it at the pool while no one is looking.
Ian: [OOC] Conjure Minor Flame Dane
Dane: [GM] The alcohol suddenly lights on fire, creating a small blaze behind the bar.
Ian: [Mari Shasho] "Oh no! Fire! Everyone run!" She nods to Bailey.
Dane: [GM] The patrons start to clear out of the bar in all due haste.
Ian: [Mari Shasho] Mari starts to leg it.
Kyle: [Bailey Hunt] Bailey does too. "I hate your plans Mari!"
Ian: [Mari Shasho] "At least I HAD one Hunt!"
Dane: [GM] Gonna need a roll out of both of you.
[Kyle] ROLLS. [GM] RECEIVES RESULTS.
[Ian] ROLLS. [GM] RECEIVES RESULTS.
Dane: [GM] As you run for the door you feel an odd change in the air. In a split second you see a huge fireball tear up the floor of the bar! It throws everything around as it chases you out the door. Mari makes it through the door but Bailey isn't as lucky, his only avenue of escape is a window.
Kyle: [Bailey Hunt] Bailey dives through the window hat-first, using his back so his duster blocks most of the glass.
Dane: [GM] Bailey somehow manages to land unharmed despite his jump, smashing into the snow outside as the fireball blasts over his head.
Dane: [GM] First good roll in a long time.
Soo: [OOC] Never doubt the rub!

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

24- RP-ducklings

Dane: [GM] Now that Mari has a plot hook let's go check in on someone else eh? Volunteers?
Joe: [OOC] Not the only one with a plot hook around here. Seriously Soo. IAN?
Soo: [OOC] It wasn't a damn date.
Ian: [OOC] Soo was barely into the game when the last edition ended so she needed some extra help figuring out what's different in 12th edition. She just asked for some help.
Joe: [OOC] Okay then, who suggested going to a coffeeshop?
Soo: [OOC] Ian.
Joe: [OOC] I've never known Ian to get coffee at a coffeeshop. Therefore this was clearly a date. If he has purely honest intentions, he'd have invited you to a library or a convent or something.
Kyle: [OOC] Joe I think you're reading a bit too much into this. People meet at such places, it's not exactly like every time a man and a woman do something together, it's with romance in mind.
Joe: [OOC] Not romance every time, perhaps, but other... things. ALWAYS.
Dane: [GM] Gee, remember when we used to play an RPG here? Good times. Good times.
Soo: [OOC] I volunteer to start  my story bit so we can get off this topic.
Dane: [GM] Soo you are a beautiful angel coming down from heaven itself to save me from this idiot conversation.
Joe: [OOC] Ian did you ask her if she'd like to "do this again sometime". I brought Soo into this group and I will personally kill you if you have any untoward thoughts towards  my little RPG-duckling.
Kyle: [OOC] RPG-duckling is an expression so horrifically creepy that I think Ian could suddenly declare himself a furry who can only be aroused by fire and I'd still consider it normal.
Ian: [OOC] Am I getting picked on even when OTHER people talk now?
Soo: [OOC] I VOLUNTEER TO START MY STORY BIT SO WE CAN GET OFF THIS TOPIC.
Dane: [GM] The detective left you recently and you now have time to go do whatever it is you were doing.
Dane: [GM] Damn it I think I lost my flow with all that nonsense. RP Dammit.
Soo: [Kali dVostog] Kali sits up and put's GR-210's head back in her bag. "Mr. Hunt I think I'll go see if I can find a body for GR-210." She pulls on a wool shawl and heads to the door. "I'm sure there's something of use in town, even if it's not a proper steam-mech body shop." She walks out the door onto the street.
Dane: [GM] The street bustles with activity, unlike the night before. Kali still stands out among the working stiffs but at least you're not likely to be alone in a dark side-road again.
Soo: [Kali dVostog] "I suppose I should ask around a bit. Maybe a Macgruder Company security officer. They seem rather keen on being nice to me and my money." Kali giggles to herself a bit.
Dane: [GM] Good point. I'll give you a little bonus to your information gathering roll since they're trying to be nice to you around here.
[Soo] ROLLS. [GM] RECEIVES RESULTS.
Dane: [GM] Your investigation confirms your belief from earlier that you're not going to find a real steam-mech body for sale around here. That kind of heavy industry is company property. There is a shop that sells consumer steam-mechs of various sizes in town though.
Soo: [Kali dVostog] Kali heads there, hoping it's open.
Dane: [GM] "Firth and Son Fine Automata" is the only shop in town for their limited-demand stock of steam-mechs. The shop is fairly nice even if the layout suggests that the small business doesn't get much traffic.
Dane: [Ambrose Firth] "Hello ma'am" a man says as he walks over to you. He is thin and probably in his late 60s but he is spry and smiling beneath his large mustache. "What can I do for you today, most beautiful young lady?"
Kyle: [OOC] I know this sounds more like Joe's line but "I think he's evil."
Joe: [OOC] As soon as Soo get's my some limbs, I can test his moral fiber. Every one of them. Surgically removed.
Soo: [Kali dVostog] "My steam-mech took some rather severe damage. The only functional part is his head. Can I perhaps have it attached to some manner of new body for the time until I can have it properly serviced?" She takes out GR-210's head.
Joe: [GR-210] "Long have I languished in this satchel of a prison. Many a cough drop have I consumed in boredom!"
Dane: [Ambrose Firth] Ambrose leans in, his keen eyes appraising the head. "Oh my, this is a war mech head. I'm afraid I have nothing quite similar to it." He looks around a bit. "However, war mechs have very simple internal design to make battlefield repairs. I can easily attach it to some other type of mech frame. I'm just afraid I only have civilian types."
Soo: [Kali dVostog] "What sorts do you have?"
Dane: [Ambrose Firth] Ambrose looks around some more. "That would attach to this model? I have an automated toolbox frame. Would basically just put six little spider legs on the head to get it back to moving around. I also have one designed for cutting lawns I got in a pawn trade. No lawns to cut up here you see."
Joe: [OOC] LAWNMOWER. Think about it. I'm already seeing the chances for horrific harm.
Soo: [Kali dVostog] "I'll take the toolbox legs. It should let him scamper about nicely."
Joe: [GR-210] "I will devote all of my processing power to figuring out ways to kill with my spindly little robot legs. All will fear the wrath of my tiny puncture wounds."
Ian: [OOC] I'm really having a hard time not picturing the skull-walkers from RIFTS but small dog sized.
Kyle: [OOC] You have problems being the butt of jokes, then you voluntarily bring up RIFTS?
Joe: [OOC] I won't even touch it. It's like shooting a wounded animal: no honor without effort.

Monday, October 21, 2013

23- RPing on the Toilet

Dane: [GM] So here's how we'll handle this little split-up. One story will go at a time until I feel it's hit a sort of cinematic 'stop point' then the next story will go. I'd rather not juggle a ton of different plot threads at once in a chat log. Ian, you up first?
Ian: [OOC] Do we even know where the unionizer's hang out?
Dane: [GM] The err, clerk at the hotel told you. Consider it a note tied to a rock and chucked over the fourth wall, now scoot. I've got things to do later.
Joe: [OOC] Translation: everyone except Ian can go take a nice long bathroom break.
Soo: [OOC] And the sky did parteth and unto man was said: "I'ma get a sandwich brb".
Kyle: [OOC] Ooh, sandwich sounds good. Brb too.
Ian: [OOC] Well okay Dane, I think I'm the last human being left in the channel so let's go.
Dane: [GM] There's a small, unnamed bar on the other side of the main road through town and just down the street a bit from where you are. The street is pretty obviously on the side of the proverbial tracks that management doesn't like visitors on. The door is pretty much constantly moving as people file in and out. Even in the morning like this the place is hopping with business, probably because there are mine shifts working all hours so there isn't exactly a specific happy hour (for lack of a better word).
Ian: [Mari Shasho] Mari rolls her shoulders, still reeling from her prior wounds and pushes her way inside.
Dane: [GM] The inside is wooden and roughly constructed. There is sawdust on the floor and the walls are covered in woolen jackets and hats in various stages of defrosting. There's an open stool at the bar.
Ian: [Mari Shasho] Mari walks over to the bar and sits down on it, paying little mind to the other patrons. She pulls some of Kali's money out of her pockets and puts it on the counter. "Hello um, whatever's cheap if you don't mind" she says to whoever is tending the bar.
Dane: [Jimbob the Bartender] The bartender is a short man with a large nose. He regards you questioningly but seems to have no issue with your money. "I'd take your order as you have it but I think what's cheapest'd kill a little thing like you missy. I'll get ya the cheapest thing a human can digest."
Dane: [Rufus the Miner] "Hey now Jim" another patron says, walking over to Mari "I think this is the servant girl of that rich, respectable lady who came into town the other days. The one them guttersnipes attacked, you know?" He laughs heartily and smacks Mari on the back. "I think if she licks a nob's boots for a living, she's just as inhuman as the rest of us."
Ian: [Mari Shasho] Mari winces in pain at the smack on her back.
Dane: [Rufus the Miner] "Oh hey, sorry bout that. You okay?"
Ian: [OOC] Ooh I smell an opportunity to ingratiate myself.
Ian: [Mari Shasho] Mari nods. "Sorry. I got hurt in that fight yesterday. Milady wouldn't let me rest it. Needed her clothes unpacked and whatnot. Still a tad sore, you see." Her tone is clearly aimed at griping about Kali.
Dane: [Rufus the Miner] Rufus nods knowingly. "Came to the right place to let off some steam. I think the folks 'round here understand being put-upon.  Got a name kid? Name's Rufus. Bartender over there is Jimbob."
Joe: [OOC] Way to be passive-aggressive. Should have just walked in and called Kali a bitch.
Soo: [OOC] I thought you were using the bathroom.
Joe: [OOC] I own a laptop. As far as you know, I am.
Ian: [OOC] It seemed more in-character for Mari, besides, even RPing as characters, I have a hard time being mean to people I happen to know are nice IRL.
Joe: [OOC] You've met Soo IRL? I thought she only knew me.
Soo: [OOC] Me and Ian had coffee this week while we figured out the new edition rulebooks.
Ian: [Mari Shasho] "Mari Shasho, professional attendant" she replies. "At least that's the name my parents gave me. Milady seems to think my name is 'you there' or 'girl'." She laughs in a sort of casual way.
Dane: [Rufus the Miner] "Yeah, know the feeling. I think if I die down in the mines, I'll be buried by my pay number. What brings your er, lady, to town anyhow?"
Ian: [Mari Shasho] Mari shrugs a little. "Looking for some kind of kidnapping victim or something. She fancies herself a detective. She gave me the day off since she's got some company folks kissing her ass all day. Doesn't need me to I guess."
Dane: [Jimbob the Bartender] Jim sets down a mug of beer so cheap even the head looks pathetic. "Last guy who came to town ended up disappearing. Just keep your eyes out for trouble."
Dane: [Rufus the Miner] Rufus laughs "Especially those damn unionizers. Every one of them is scum." He laughs and a fair amount of the room laughs with him.
Ian: [Mari Shasho] Mari makes an attempted laugh herself, quietly noting the detail about the last visitor to town disappearing.
Kyle: [OOC] Back. Did I miss anything?
Ian: [OOC] The last person to visit town disappeared. Since absolutely nothing ever happens that isn't related, I can assume that means something related to our case.
Dane: [GM] Aww come on, give me some credit guys. Remember that big sweeping sci-fi campaign? There was like 20 plot threads going.
Joe: [OOC] And every single one of them went back to the exact same villain. Not helping your case. Oh and Kyle, get this: Emo and Foodstamps went on a date this week. Right behind all our backs.
Ian: [OOC] Did not!
Soo: [OOC] Did not!
Joe: [OOC] Oooh already sharing thoughts. That's how you know it's true love. How do we even know they're in two separate places? Huh? HUH? I'm on to you Ian. Put your pants back on and start running home

Friday, October 18, 2013

22- Don't Split the Party?

Dane: [Detective Bron] Officer Bron says a bunch of good-byes lets you go about your business with the company blessing.
Soo: [Kali dVostog] "Well ladies and gentlemen, I'd say we have our work cut our for us."
Kyle: [Bailey Hunt] "Ya mean WE have our work cut out fer us."
Soo: [Kali dVostog] Kali tilts her head. "I don't quite follow what you mean Hunt."
Ian: [Mari Shasho] Mari winces and cracks her back a little. "Miss, we know you're thinking of going and mixing it up with those unionizers. Hell it seems like a rational lead to me. But if they're really up for fighting the powers that be, you'll be in a lot of danger."
Joe: [GR-210] "While the resplendent GR-210 normally loves foolish decisions that lead to situations that only violence can solve, I would have to object to this as well."
Joe: [OOC] At least until I have a body to participate in that violence.
Soo: [Kali dVostog] Kali looks a little flustered at all this. "I... I have my own reasons for seeing this through. I appreciate your concern but I don't think I can just let you all go risk your safety while I sit around enjoying a coffee. There has to be something I can do to help."
Kyle: [Bailey Hunt] "We're currently out a body for GR-210. I doubt this'ere town has a steam-mech shop but mebbe ye can find somethin' for him so he ain't so useless."
Ian: [Mari Shasho] Mari nods with a smile. "Good ideas Bailey. Hunt and I will go investigate the unionizers, you can get GR back on his feet and we'll regroup back at full strength when we find something."
Joe: [OOC] Veto. Fucking Veto. We are NOT splitting the party.
Soo: [OOC] Splitting the party is bad?
Kyle: [OOC] Normally, yes. It's a bad idea to split the party. Most GMs design the game with the idea that challenges will be met by the whole team.
Ian: [OOC] But in this case Kyle, I feel like having Kali and 10% of GR-210 would be more of a liability than anything. These union guys won't talk to use with a nob tailing behind us.
Soo: [OOC] Talk is one thing. I'm more worried about a fight. People already ambushed us once. 
Joe: [OOC] Idea!
Joe: [OOC] Let's split up entirely. Mari will do something, Bailey will do another, and Kali will get me a body.
Ian: [OOC] I thought you just vetoed splitting the party.
Joe: [OOC] In two. If we divide further into individuals, the GM will feel obligated to not put anyone in a particular amount of danger to avoid seeming unfair. He'll modify the encounters to be suitable to a single character.
Dane: [GM] Just because I'm not talking doesn't mean I stopped existing.
Joe: [OOC] No it doesn't, but it you ARE a fair GM who's more concerned with keeping the experience fun than curbstomping us.
Kyle: [OOC] This sounds like tempting fate.
Dane: [GM] He's not tempting fate, he's bought fate a private dance in the champagne room. We're far past coy temptation.
Soo: [OOC] The champagne room?
Joe: [OOC] Soo the fact you don't get that sentence at 25 makes you utterly adorable.
Ian: [OOC] Or not a pervert like Joe. Take your pick.
Kyle: [OOC] But Joe's idea does give me an idea...
Kyle: [Bailey Hunt] "Wait yall. Idea commin'" Bailey says. "Folks know we're in town. Think me an' Mari are Kali's lackies right?"
Soo: [Kali dVostog] "I think the correct term in entourage, Bailey."
Kyle: [Bailey Hunt] "Gotcha, so what about this: we send Mari, Kali's 'servant' to whatever bar the union folks like to crash at. She sits down, gets identified and bitches and hollars bout how much she hates her boss. Probably git em right on her good side. They think I'm some kinda bodyguard. Probably won't trust me too much since they think I'm a hired gun."
Joe: [OOC] Meanwhile, Bailey goes and gives someone a private dance in the champagne room, making us enough money in odd-smelling singles to go buy me a cool hat to wear until I get my body back. Brilliant Kyle
Kyle: [OOC] Ugg, I pictured it, I can't unpicture it.
Joe: [OOC] I'm sorry, I thought we were on the same page here...
Dane: [GM] RP OR I'M GOING TO EAT YOUR SPINES.
Soo: [Kali dVostog] Kali tilts her head. "It's a fairly brilliant plan. But isn't Mari a bit weak still? I'm just worried in case something gets dangerous."
Joe: [GR-210] "I detect that splitting up the group will decrease risks. PROCEED. PROCEED"
Ian: [OOC] It's not tempting fate if HE does it for me right?
Dane: [GM] Fate has a liability clause explicit to Joe. You're fine.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Format Ramblings

Up until now I've used white text for NPCs speaking. I've decided to just make it orange to go with Dane's posts. Looking back, it just makes things harder to read I think.

21- Do As I Don't Say

Dane: [GM] We all good with just skipping ahead to tomorrow morning? Want to get back to the plot.
Soo: [OOC] I was planning on doing SO MUCH character development, but sure, why the hell not. Real meaningful stuff about my backstory and motivations. Pouring it all out like some kind of emotional, pathos-laden faucet.
Kyle: [OOC] Soo, you okay? I think I could hear you grinding your teeth through your post.
Soo: [OOC] Let's just say certain people who shall remain nameless did certain things which shall remain unspoken-of and that I'm only here today for the benefit of everyone else to keep the game going.
Ian: [OOC] It was Joe.
Soo: [OOC] WHO SHALL REMAIN NAMELESS.
Ian: [OOC] He checked out a bunch of lab materials from the campus supplies using her ID card. Since some of it could be used for making explosives, she had to spend the night talking to campus security and the local police.
Soo: [OOC] WHICH SHALL REMAIN UNSPOKEN-OF.
Joe: [OOC] To be fair, the prank I pulled off with all that nitrogen was worth it.
Ian: [OOC] You did it to me and I beg to differ.
Dane: [GM] Anyway...
Kyle: [Bailey Hunt] Bailey gets out of bed and cracks his back. He slept in his change of clothes, just in case. He puts his boots on and looks around. "Up an' attem yall. We gotta keep looking for...
Kyle: [OOC] Err who is that guy we're supposed to be looking for?
Dane: [GM] Dillon Johnson, rising star businessman and kidnapping victim.
Joe: [OOC] I just remember by calling him Pickle Penis.
Kyle: [Bailey Hunt] Dillon Johnson.
Soo: [Kali dVostog] Kali gets out of bed, her long hair hanging off her like a sheet over her eyes. She promptly picks out an understated dress to wear with a somewhat shortened skirt for action scene benefits. "So right you are Mr. Hunt. I'll go change and meet you all downstairs." She puts GR-210's head into a satchel bag and slings it over her shoulder. "I shall carry the head until we can find a suitable replacement body for it."
Joe: [GR-210] "No! Don't leave me with the fleshy female. What if the bag slips open! What if I see... things..." the magnificent robo-cranium whimpers.
Soo: [Kali dVostog] "Oh hush now GR, the only you're going to see until we get you a new body is the pattern inside my satchelbag." Kali walks out the door, accidentally smacking the bag hard against the door jamb on the way out.
Joe: [OOC] Ow, my fourth wall.
Ian: [OOC] I'm recovered enough to get up yes?
Dane: [GM] Yeah. You'll still be a bit slow though.
Ian: [Mari Shasho] Mari ambles out of bed weakly, clearly still in a lot of pain. "Ugg, this is going to take some time..." She pulls on some socks and puts her sandals on. Mari clearly doesn't get cold very often since her idea of winter clothing is simply a woolen poncho and socks along with her usual clothes.
Kyle: [Bailey Hunt] Feelin' any better at all Mari? We can leave you behind for the day, le'cha take it easy.
Ian: [Mari Shasho] "Nah Bailey I'm good. Little slow, but good."
Kyle: [Bailey Hunt] Bailey goes over to Mari and lets her sling a shoulder of him. "Well still, lets getcha some fresh bandages an' such."
Joe: [OOC] Hurry up and kiss.
Soo: [Kali dVostog] While walking downstairs after changing, Kali stops to fix her boot a little and accidentally drops her satchel down the stairs.
Joe: [OOC] It's not 'accidental' if YOU type it.
Ian: [OOC] Captain, this fourth wall isn't going to take much more damage. Abandon ship.
Kyle: [OOC] Belay that order helmsman, this is the closest to happy I've been all week.
Dane: [Detective Bron] The detective from the night before is downstairs when Kali arrives. He walks over to the dropped bag and picks it up, handing it to Kali as she descends the stairs. He's clearly cleaned himself up since last night, no doubt because he has to speak to a noblewoman. "Good morning Lady dVostog. Are you able to speak? I simply wish to get my needed questions out of the way so you can go about your day uninterrupted."
Soo: [Kali dVostog] Kali smiles at the officer, her guard down somewhat. "Of course detective. I appreciate you meeting me so soon" she says.
Soo: [OOC] Its not part of Kali's character sheet but I personally have Weakness (Ass-kissing) -5. Is there somewhere to sit nearby?
Dane: [GM] There's a small sitting area here in the lobby with some couches and whatnot.
Soo: [Kali dVostog] Kali sits herself down on the couch and sets GR's head down on her lap so he can see.
Dane: [Detective Bron] Bron sits down across from Kali and looks at GR-210's head. "I'm terribly sorry, on behalf of the MacGruder company, for what happened to your steam-mech in our city. Rest assured that the needed forms for restitution are already being processed. I hope your servant is doing better as well."
Soo: [Kali dVostog] "She is recovering well. Sturdy girl. You needed to know why I was in town, yes?"
Dane: [Detective Bron] "Yes milady. We were told you were arriving on some manner of business, but we didn't know what. We just want to make sure a woman of your status and her entourage receive all the help they can get from the company."
Soo: [Kali dVostog] "Yes well I'm currently on something of an investigation. A businessman named Dillon Johnson has gone missing, kidnapped actually. A lead told us he either is being held here or has passed through" she explains.
Kyle: [Bailey Hunt] Bailey walks down the stairs, helping Mari along and joins the rest of the group. "Hullo there officer" he says as he sits down.
Ian: [Mari Shasho] Mari slouches into the couch in a relaxed way to ease the pain.
Dane: [Detective Bron] Bron eyes the cowboy and his friend with a far less trusting eye than he spared Kali. "Good day um... Well yes. While I assure you milady that the typical degree of criminal activity in this city is near-nothing, I can assure you the full support of our police in the investigation."
Kyle: [Bailey Hunt] "Any locals known ta' be up ta no good?" Bailey asks.
Dane: [Detective Bron] "There's been a small ground swell movement" Bron says "to unionize the workforce here. Petty squabbling really." He adjusts his shirt's sleeve. "But I doubt they would have anything to do with an out-of-town kidnapping case. They simply are too focused on the local matter. Please avoid them. They have a nasty distaste for their um.. betters."
Soo: [OOC] We were told not to do something, so that means we go do it right?
Joe: [OOC] Soo you're learning so fast. I'd cry if the nitrogen hadn't damaged my tear ducts.

Monday, October 14, 2013

20- The New Edition

Kyle: [OOC] Did everyone get the new rulebooks? Twelfth Edition yall.
Dane: [GM] I got the ebook versions too so I can have it on my tablet.
Soo: [OOC] Dane is lending me his, mine are still in the mail.
Joe: [OOC] I wish I didn't. The new mechanics are terrible.
Ian: [OOC] They're not terrible, just different. I mean the damage system is a big change and all but I don't think it's necessarily bad.
Dane: [GM] It's supposed to be more cinematic, so the wounds are more abstract. Personally I prefer it because it starts to whittle down effectiveness as you get wounded.
Joe: [OOC] And that's terrible! The only hit point that matters is the last one baby.
Soo: [OOC] Personally I thought you'd be delighted Joe. The more abstract the system, the more room for fudging there is.
Joe: [OOC] Soo you're new to this so I won't expect you to understand, but the fun of why I play hinges on my ability to strangle the game to death with it's own rules. Like beating a judge to death with his own gavel, you know? The further the game goes towards cinematic, the less hard math there is to work with. Anyone can screw around in a system that's basically "let's all pretend together". An artist can screw around in a cold grided world of numbers and facts.
Soo: [OOC] That's surprisingly passionate and logical talk for you Joe.
Kyle: [OOC] I think I now know why Joe gets that weird, predatory look in his eyes when he's using Microsoft Excel.
Dane: [GM] Anyhow, did everyone catch their characters up for the new edition? You got some build points from the last encounter to use too.
Ian: [OOC] I was curious how Mari's wounds would be since the damage system changed. By the math of the new system she'd be dead.
Dane: [GM] Mari passes silently in the night, surrounded by friends and loved ones.
Ian: [OOC] I'm assuming that's a joke.
Dane: [GM] Of course. Just put her at '-5 Gravely Injured' but stable.
Joe: [OOC] Given the group consists of a cowboy, a noble woman you met a couple days ago and a robot, I'm mildly curious which of us constitutes a 'loved one'. Hey Dane, do I get some freebie health, seeing as I was also horrifically injured.
Dane: [GM] No because steam-mechs need to be repaired so I don't think it's logical to just assume you somehow got better. Also Mari didn't get free healing, she's still as shit-beat as before. I just had to change the definition for the sake of the new rules.
Soo: [OOC] Doesn't Joe get some kind of stat redistribution though? I mean most of his body is exploded and we're probably going to be a while before we can repair him.
Dane: [GM] Not exactly. You see you only get to opt for redistribution if your features were destroyed. Actual frame damage doesn't count because it'd be like letting human characters respec for getting boo-boos.
Joe: [OOC] Remember how I said GR-210 was built to troll everyone by being useless unless you bought me parts?
Soo: [OOC] Yeah. It's why you conned me into making a rich character.
Joe: [OOC] Well, you never DID buy me any parts yet. I used all the points I had at creation on learning every language skill in the game to gimp myself without wasting points, remember?
Ian: [OOC] And language chips are located in the head so...
Dane: [GM] Technically Joe hasn't lost a single trait he actually spent points on.
Soo: [OOC] Is it too late to bolt a shoulder strap onto him? We can at least use him as an unwieldy babelfish for a while.
Joe: [OOC] I was actually thinking since Ian isn't using his character much at the moment, we could, you know...
Kyle: [OOC] I don't actually know.
Ian: [OOC] I don't WANT to know.
JOE sends file CYBORGHEADTRANSPLANTDIAGRAM.DOC to DANE
Dane: [GM] That's going to be what I see for the rest of my life whenever I close my eyes.
Soo: [OOC] I hate when you only send a link to one of us. I hate ambiguity.
JOE sends file CYBORGHEADTRANSPLANTDIAGRAM.DOC to SOO
JOE sends file CYBORGHEADTRANSPLANTDIAGRAM.DOC to KYLE

JOE sends file CYBORGHEADTRANSPLANTDIAGRAM.DOC to IAN
Kyle: [OOC] That's actually a really good drawing of a horrific idea.
Joe: [OOC] Minored in art you know.
Soo: [OOC] Ambiguity! Ambiguity! Why have you forsaken me!!
Ian: [OOC] I didn't even ask to see it!