In the Dojo (O.O.C. Chat - Session Zero)

[Purr]

I have to say, I told my mom all this and we both busted up with this. Damn funny!

You liked that enough to share that with Mama Psychie? And she liked it too? Ha ha! That's terrific, Psychie! That just makes my night!

 

[Psychie]

Yeah, we had a good chuckle about your wackyness.

 

[Silanon]

Huh! Because I see building vehicles as being a true example of high technology.

Most definitely - thanks for pointing out that my explanation there was garbage. Second try!

For Alya, I see a difference between technology that one uses to find cute kitten videos, and the work of a mechanic. The latter - especially in the 1980s - feels like craftsmanship to me - sure, there's technology, but it's still honest work where you get your hands dirty. That's something I can imagine for her. Looking at supercomputers and the like, though - that's not her world. She'll probably have the basics covered, more or less, but there won't be much enjoyment for her to be found. And she's a character who'd avoid too much contact with an area that doesn't get her excited.

Does that make more sense? If not, there'll be a third try, don't ya worry!

Kaerri pointed out a while back - to my surprise - that Ninjas and Superspies doesn't have a Wilderness category. If I can add skills from Technical, I can definitely add skills to Wilderness from Rifts Ultimate Edition if you find that to your liking? I can't think of a better way for a wild-hearted or savage character to get closer to their natural origins.

Science skills like Anthropology and Archaeology may be of some use too.

Anthropology, history - those would be interesting for her. Don't expect them to show up too often, but it's something that belongs on her sheet. And if there were more wilderness skills around, and a program for it, then that'd be at least a consideration - and definitely more in-character than her knowing about helicopter design, for example.

Why two Skills for Pilot: motorcycle?

Sorry, late-night posts at its best - let's skip half the information to not make any sense, shall we? Whoops... One for piloting, one for mechanic work - I want that motorcycle to not only be a way to get from A to B, but also to be something she can tinker around with. I like the image of a greasy birb smiling broadly because the tailpipe does what it's supposed to be doing again. In some sense, I'd like tat motorcycle to be the one technological thing she puts up with, because it's the closest thing she has to flying when flying is not an option - speed!

On that note - how are the odds to get my hands on a motorcycle eventually?

Hmm. Since you're the first person to show interest in that skill, I ought to point out that I was thinking about exchanging it for some skill that would cover more than one philosophical aspect. Kind of like how I replaced Go with Board Games.

That said, I don't have a lot of politics in my gaming, so I don't want you to choose skills like Marxism and the like and have them go to waste?

Totally happy to have a single skill that covers the basics of the world situation in the 1980s. I don't expect it to play much of a role, maybe I'll never use it, but something like "world ideologies" belongs on her sheet. In the 1980s, Russia invades Afghanistan. Nearby Turkey's in turmoil because of the implications of it. Even if it never shows up in-game, I want Alya to have an understanding of the general situation, if only to shake her head about the stupidity of mankind. It just belongs on her sheet.

I have never known you to make a shallow or quickly-thrown-together character before and Alya is turning out to be no exception! Your characters are always deep and interesting! Hooray!

Well, that's always the plan. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't, I suppose. But characters without any depth usually don't have much I want to write about them after a while, so let's hope I succeed again =D

 

[Purr]

Most definitely - thanks for pointing out that my explanation there was garbage. Second try!

Ha ha ha! Your words, not mine, dear Sil! Not my intention at all, but you probably know that. =) I say this with a smile, a bothersome headache, and brain that has me wide awake when I should be out cold in bed - the vast majority of words that you type out are a joy to read! Not only is English a second language for you, but yours is a creative brain that I genuinely enjoy interacting with! We can't roll Natural 20s all of the time, despite our expectations of ourselves (a thing I think you and I share towards ourselves). That you're willing to take the time to explain your thoughts to me means much!

It's... a bit of a pain to be typing at this very moment, but until my medicine kicks in, it's how I choose to spend my time. No Natural 20s, but at least I've sat myself down, read everyone's posts, and now despite my negative modifiers, I'm still willing to roll the dice! To persevere despite how... muddy and "ouchie" my brain feels. It's not going to slow me down. So you keep "rolling your dice too!" I'll be here eagerly anticipating what you have to say - and that goes for Kaerri, Psychie, and Sherwood too! You guy and gals are precious to me! =)

For Alya, I see a difference between technology that one uses to find cute kitten videos, and the work of a mechanic. The latter - especially in the 1980s - feels like craftsmanship to me - sure, there's technology, but it's still honest work where you get your hands dirty.

What a wonderful coincidence it is that I am, when my brain allows, reading the terrific American classic Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Pirsig! In his thoughtful and well-written work, Pirsig really gets into the craftsmanship that is motorcycle maintenance circa 1974. I'm a slow reader so I've been at the book for about two weeks now, digging in as time and life allow. And yeah! I can easily see how Alya and you both see motorcycle maintenance as a "get your hands dirty" kind of work. There is a simple spirit underneath all of that science and technology - all of those parts and fluids working together to form a machine that can zip you down long roads at speeds you can never reach with your own two feet. Oh, and you can bring a passenger along too to share in the ride!

Anthropology, history - those would be interesting for her. Don't expect them to show up too often, but it's something that belongs on her sheet. And if there were more wilderness skills around, and a program for it, then that'd be at least a consideration - and definitely more in-character than her knowing about helicopter design, for example.

Being an action-oriented game of its time, Ninjas & Superspies, Revised Edition first printed back in 1990 (original version 1988), has 7 Science Skills, anthropology and history not among them. Rifts Ultimate Edition, first printed in 2005, contains 14 Science Skills with anthropology and history among them. There are far more than 14 Skills under the Technical category for that fantasy/sci-fi game. There are 12 Wilderness Skills.

I don't mind adding the bulk of these to Other Strangeness as most have a place in a game like this one. I have to pause. My head hurts. More later.

 

[Purr]

Kaerri Psychie Sherwood Silanon (Re: last paragraph of the above post.)

Let me know which among those three categories (Science, Technical, and Wilderness) you'd like to see in Other Strangeness? I'd like to know what you feel belongs. If Jay were playing, he might remind us that robotics is indeed a thing in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Donatello takes an interest it as does Baxter Stockman (though each for completely different reasons which I will not spoil). Both characters are of Earth's 1980s timeline and their knowing these things adds to who and what they are, so I'll be sticking more closely to the Skills seen in TMNT and in Big Trouble in Little China (where there is undeniably magic, monsters, demons, and spirits).

Back to Sil's post.

Sorry, late-night posts at its best - let's skip half the information to not make any sense, shall we? Whoops... One for piloting, one for mechanic work - I want that motorcycle to not only be a way to get from A to B, but also to be something she can tinker around with. I like the image of a greasy birb smiling broadly because the tailpipe does what it's supposed to be doing again. In some sense, I'd like tat motorcycle to be the one technological thing she puts up with, because it's the closest thing she has to flying when flying is not an option - speed!

O.K.! Then you're looking for Pilot: Motorcycle and Automotive Mechanics (as it covers both cars, trucks, vans, and motorcycles).

On that note - how are the odds to get my hands on a motorcycle eventually?

Pretty good! But you'll likely need human help as an anthropomorphic birb walking into a Harley Davidson shop in the early afternoon will do far more than turn a few heads - it will endanger you all. =)

Nighttime is going to be everyone's ally in this game. And remember those NPCs (numbering between 5 and 15) I asked you guys about weeks ago? This is precisely the kind of thing I was thinking about when I presented that question to all of you! =)

Alya, like the rest of her team, starts out with 2,000 USD in 1980s money (which for the purposes of our game is about 8,000 USD in today's money). That's more than enough to get a used bike and, depending on the kinds of wheels she's interested in, possibly enough to get a brand-new bike.

The question is how do you get it without blowing your cover? There are ways and you'll all figure them out together. Being a family, I am hoping you guys will think like one. If Alya has a bike, then how are Kiseko, Moyo, Haoyu, and Toby getting around? Between all of you, you'll have 10,000 USD which is a tidy sum. Things to think about together!

Totally happy to have a single skill that covers the basics of the world situation in the 1980s. I don't expect it to play much of a role, maybe I'll never use it, but something like "world ideologies" belongs on her sheet. In the 1980s, Russia invades Afghanistan. Nearby Turkey's in turmoil because of the implications of it. Even if it never shows up in-game, I want Alya to have an understanding of the general situation, if only to shake her head about the stupidity of mankind. It just belongs on her sheet.

Ah, much of what you bring up here can be learned from 1980s newspapers and television - no Skill required; just time in front of the "boob tube" ('80s term for television) paying attention to current events. =) I'm thinking the Philosophy Skill covers more than just martial ways (Bushido, Zen, Buddhism, etc.) but could also cover modern philosophies (socialism, capitalism, communism, etc.).

Combine the Philosophy Skill with History and bang - you've got two skills that blanket a strong knowledge of what humans are doing now. Add Anthropology and you'll get what humans have been doing all along (at least through recorded history as we knew it in the 1980s). I'd say that covers all of the bases you've mentioned. However, Alya will have more than just the stupidity of humankind to consider, but humankind's triumphs and hopes as well. Everything from the burning of the great library in Alexandria to humankind landing on the surface of the moon (just over a decade ago in our game's time) will also be present. What she chooses to do with that knowledge is up to her.

Would you agree? (Kaerri, Sherwood, Psychie? You're free to chime in here too if you feel you'd like to.)

Well, that's always the plan. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't, I suppose. But characters without any depth usually don't have much I want to write about them after a while, so let's hope I succeed again =D

Perhaps I'm an optimist, but I don't recall the last time you failed - your triumphs far outweigh your lack of successes, dear Sil. And we have entire years of your characters to prove that. Heh heh! =)

Going back to bed. Wish me luck! =)

 

[Silanon]

Hope you're feeling better now, Purr !

Let me know which among those three categories (Science, Technical, and Wilderness) you'd like to see in Other Strangeness? I'd like to know what you feel belongs.

After checking the skill list in Ultimate - hard to say, actually. There's not much in Wilderness that'd add a lot to the kind of game, it feels like. Actually, I just spotted desert survival in cultural that might be interesting for her, but that one's already on the list. Maybe there's some potential in that direction that I hadn't considered yet...

Combine the Philosophy Skill with History and bang - you've got two skills that blanket a strong knowledge of what humans are doing now. Add Anthropology and you'll get what humans have been doing all along (at least through recorded history as we knew it in the 1980s). I'd say that covers all of the bases you've mentioned. However, Alya will have more than just the stupidity of humankind to consider, but humankind's triumphs and hopes as well. Everything from the burning of the great library in Alexandria to humankind landing on the surface of the moon (just over a decade ago in our game's time) will also be present. What she chooses to do with that knowledge is up to her.

Would you agree? (Kaerri, Sherwood, Psychie? You're free to chime in here too if you feel you'd like to.)

History would be on my list after this paragraph here, certainly.

 

[Purr]

Hope you're feeling better now, Purr !

Better than I was - headache is gone! Hooray for science! =)

After checking the skill list in Ultimate - hard to say, actually. There's not much in Wilderness that'd add a lot to the kind of game, it feels like. Actually, I just spotted desert survival in cultural that might be interesting for her, but that one's already on the list. Maybe there's some potential in that direction that I hadn't considered yet...

History would be on my list after this paragraph here, certainly.

Good to know! Time for a nap here. My brain could use it. =)

 

[Purr]

Other birbs when they see Alya. =)

Spoiler

 

[Kaerri]

I don't have much to add right now, but I do have an answer to a question:

Short question: Is anyone in the business of tinkering with vehicles? Was considering picking up the Vehicle Construction Program - don't want to step on anyone's toes, though. Think it might work well with her love for speed, and it's one of the areas that's not completely infested with computers and the like. I can't imagine her sitting in front of a screen for too long, y'know?

I had thought to give Kiseko this, but she didn't have room for it at the time (and I still haven't revisited her skills yet). It sounds like it's much more Alya's thing than Kiseko's though, so I'm perfectly fine with leaving it out and Alya handling this for the group. (or, if I have room after all and you don't mind, perhaps they could tinker together?)

 

[Psychie]

I don’t have much to offer here at the moment. I’m just posting to show I’m still here. lol

 

[Silanon]

I don’t have much to offer here at the moment. I’m just posting to show I’m still here. lol

Much appreciated - half of us were incredibly fast with the characters, the other half... Not quite so much. Working to catch up, though, finally!

I had thought to give Kiseko this, but she didn't have room for it at the time (and I still haven't revisited her skills yet). It sounds like it's much more Alya's thing than Kiseko's though, so I'm perfectly fine with leaving it out and Alya handling this for the group. (or, if I have room after all and you don't mind, perhaps they could tinker together?)

Thanks for the response - I'll pick it up, and you just see whether there's space for it in the skill slots and whether it is a good fit. If yes, it's definitely a hobby that Alya would be happy to share with Kiseko!

 

[Purr]

As always, let me know how I can help! =)

 

[Silanon]

Not much you can do at the moment - mostly need to find the time and motivation to get through the next steps of the creation. Just really wasn't feeling that this weekend, gave it a shot but stopped shortly after. Guess it's mostly me being damn busy with work at the moment, so sorting through skill lists etc ain't really the change of pace I need atm.

 

[Purr]

Not much you can do at the moment - mostly need to find the time and motivation to get through the next steps of the creation. Just really wasn't feeling that this weekend, gave it a shot but stopped shortly after. Guess it's mostly me being damn busy with work at the moment, so sorting through skill lists etc ain't really the change of pace I need atm.

O.K.! Thanks for the quick response, Sil! =)

Real Life Always Comes First! =)

 

[Purr]

Heya Gang!

While I don't see us getting into any of the politics of the 1980s, this little site here does have some fantastic photos of what was going on in San Francisco back in the 1980s. Like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, there will be references to some of these things without getting so deep into the atmosphere that the atmosphere turns into the game.

Here's a little taste of the inspiration of Other Strangeness. =)

Spoiler: A video and a neat article on San Fran in the 1980s!

This is about as 80s as it gets! =)


A terrific article with excellent photographs. There's a particular black and white shot of a trolley car coming up a San Francisco street - and one look and you'll see why many people took trolleys instead of walking!
https://www.sfgate.com/chronicle-hi...o-history-fashion-culture-decade-13207115.php

All of this is inspiration because I'm making up my own "Little Asia" for use in our game! I want you to discover this "new" San Francisco along with your characters. I want you to explore it, have fun with it, go where you will in an "open world environment" kind of way.

That's all for now! =)

Honor and fun,
Purr =)

 

[Kaerri]

I keep meaning to get back into character (re)creation, sorry. Purr knows this already, but last week I got bad news, twice, and then today more relating to one of last week's. (I'm OK, just emotionally down.) I'm not feeling very creative at present but I'll try when I can.

 

[Purr]

Kaerri You've always got me, Darlin'! Rawrz! =)

 

[Sherwood]

I keep meaning to get back into character (re)creation, sorry. Purr knows this already, but last week I got bad news, twice, and then today more relating to one of last week's. (I'm OK, just emotionally down.) I'm not feeling very creative at present but I'll try when I can.

I'm sorry you've gotten the bad news. Not being able to offer up any suggestions on how to cope, all I can do is say that you have friends and a great husband to lean on.

 

[Purr]

Just an update: I've expanded what I have on the game world we'll be running around in - little parts of the city that I hope everyone will find interesting and worthwhile. =)

 

[Silanon]

Hey folks? Short update on my end: Don't think I can see myself making any progress on Alya over the next few weeks. It's the busy time of the year for me, and I'm spending too many hours focused in front of a screen to do more of that in my spare time. Just figured I'd let ya know - don't let that stop you from getting started once you're at that point, though, I don't have a fricking clue when things will calm down on my end again.

 

[Purr]

Hey folks? Short update on my end: Don't think I can see myself making any progress on Alya over the next few weeks. It's the busy time of the year for me, and I'm spending too many hours focused in front of a screen to do more of that in my spare time. Just figured I'd let ya know - don't let that stop you from getting started once you're at that point, though, I don't have a fricking clue when things will calm down on my end again.

Silanon O.K.! I really appreciate the heads-up, Sil! Be sure to come up for air, all right? Don't you work too much now! =)

 

[Sherwood]

Happy turkey day everyone!

 

[Psychie]

Same to you. Happy Thanksgiving.

 

[Purr]

Heya Gang! Just a minor update here. I'm putting together little behind-the-scenes elements as the days go by. I am fine-tuning rules here and there, but keeping those behind my GM-screen too for now, that way everyone's not having to keep up with a game we're not even playing yet. When the time comes, what you ought to know should be there and ready to go. =)

Stay warm! =)

Honor and fun,
Purr =)