Dice Rifts Adventure OOC

[Silanon]

Forgot to answer this:

And to think that Trent is going to lecture the group?

That's just unfamiliarity - we don't know Trent too well, do we? If my team ran away like that, I'd probably be inclined to give them a less-than appreciative speech. If that's not his style - how should our characters know, at this point? This is the first time we're seeing him angry, and the first time that the topic came up (probably not the last time, though).


Think you edited something into the post that I'd like to respond to:

with the way almost everyone is treating him, maybe I should have held my ground to play the Fire and Brimstone Preacher....

That's a damn important concern for me, personally - thus far, I think all of our characters did what they were built to do character-wise. If that leads to one character being the bogeyman, that's a problem. Keep in mind that we've not finished this scene yet - and that things are likely to become interesting as soon as we're back aboard. If half of the participants runs off mid-"discussion", the characters' mood group is likely to be effected by that. But still - if that doesn't change things, we gotta make sure that it changes asap anyway. We're here to have fun together, and judging by those two posts, you don't have fun right now.

Difference between Trent and the preacher is the following: With Trent, we can make this work, think most of our characters are reasonable to do that. With the preacher - not so much. They're the group's enemy by definition - we'd not be talking about problems because of different approaches, but about problems because of different ideologies that wouldn't mash at all.

 

[Purr]

Why is it that almost everyone thinks Trent is a heartless jerk? His entire stance was that they didn't have ANY information as to the situation other than demons were attacking. And to think that Trent is going to lecture the group? That's not his style... He is simply goal orientated and focused on what he is being paid to do, what everyone is being paid to do... with the way almost everyone is treating him, maybe I should have held my ground to play the Fire and Brimstone Preacher....

Dano Hey there! A disclaimer: Text-based games are funny in that you can't hear my voice or see me. I mean everything I say in this post to be constructive and friendly. You've asked my opinion and I'm willing to share it with you. =)

1. Silanon hit it right on on head. I agree with just about everything Silanon wrote in those past two posts. Plus...

2. My character and I hold different viewpoints about Trent, but my main issue is I believe he's totally Anarchist (more on that later). You may remember a post I put up a little while ago about parties with characters of differing alignments? Well, here's what got me thinking in that direction. First off, he ripped the party off 1,000,000 credits. Sure, our characters don't know that, but we players sure as hell do. (Side note: While it's perfectly in character for Trent, are we supposed to be happy about that?)

Then the demon-scene. It was why my youthful and stubborn Atlantean Undead Slayer yelled at Trent (and everyone in the group, really):

Spoiler: Trent

"...A distraction... we couldn't ask for better cover as we make our way towards our own objective!" Trent knew it was a bit heartless, but he also knew that they were being paid by Lord Brazamal to rescue slaves on Atlantis, not save every village being raided along the way. Fighting the River Serpents was unavoidable, this fight was not theirs and in fact, it would serve them well to breeze through the canal while the focus was elsewhere. He frowned a bit, knowing that he was probably 'stuck' with a bunch of do-gooders so he stated a bit more authoritatively, "...This is NOT our fight... remember who is paying us and what we are being paid for... If you want to waste everyone's time, time that Lord Brazamal's 'friends' do not have, then do it when you are not already on a job..." Turning back around to face the water he just shook his head, hoping that logic and common sense dwelt in at least one other member of this party....

(white bold + underline mine)

Trent stood there, eyes hardened as his resolve quickened, "They are NOT my people... I do not belong to any one or any cause..." his words were icy as his breath could be seen. Abandoning, what a choice word for Gradicus to be using as he knew nothing about Trent, then he brought up caring about others and that's when he could hold his tongue no longer, "... You arrogant fool..." this time his words cut through the tension on the boat like a hot knife through butter, "... You assume that just because I have common DNA with the inhabitants of that town makes me owe them something? I certainly do NOT. I owe them NOTHING... I owe YOU nothing..." He was breathing heavily now as his heart rate increased, "... Perhaps those people are pirate or cutthroats... the same lot that just as well would have ambushed us if they had not been under siege themselves..." How quickly Gradicus jumped to the conclusion that somehow anyone being attacked meant they were innocent.

Trent smiled in a smug way, "Perhaps I will... that way I would not have to listen to the likes of someone who does not stop and consider the situation before acting!"

Defenseless? Did Gradicus just see the giant hole blown in the one Demon from the massive mech? There were sufficient 'defenses' in place to deal with the demons. If that mech turned that gun towards the River Walker they would be in for a world of hurt, and Gradicus wanted to go interfere? The self absorbed gladiator hiding behind his words, practically calling the party that Lord Brazamal assembled cowards if they did not assist. Trent would not be dragged into conflict because of someone slinging pointless insults. "Good Riddance..." he mumbled as Gradicus rocketed off the River Walker's deck.

The good-aligned folks in the party had all the information they needed and no time to get more without more people being killed. Demons were in the process of killing mostly-defenseless people. It's like calling police officers/SWAT to a scene of "shots fired, fatalities reported." Law aside and ethically-speaking, some of our characters don't have the option of just "sailing on by."

Trent is in a mostly-good aligned party along with a Mystic Knight and an Undead Slayer. These characters may as well be Cyber-Knights in that they must act against evil and help the defenseless. I'm trying to put myself in your shoes for the sake of your fun. Please consider putting yourself in our shoes - what do you think our characters are going to do when they are told to ignore this and sail on? Trent made his "the stance of his heart" abundantly clear. Of course people like Gradicus and Trent are going to butt heads.

But... even Trent admits to himself that his own actions are indeed "heartless" (see bold + underlined text in spoiler).

3. "Jerk." Dano, you likely recall Gradicus's change of heart toward Trent during the battle? While Gradicus basically thought everyone on the board were jerks for leaving defenseless people to die and suffer at the hands of Hell-born, he comes to a very Atlantean realization that tweaks this. As of this moment, Gradicus doesn't think anyone in the team are jerks (except for perhaps Eric Foss who apparently didn't do a damn thing the entire fight). Nearly everyone pitched in for their own reasons - and for a man like Gradicus, actions count.

4. As for me, I differ from Gradicus in that I think Trent is more of a more-selfish Han Solo-type (in the first Star Wars movie). Perhaps younger, more passionate, and willing to leave people he doesn't care about by the wayside, but he and Solo have one thing in common (again, during the first movie) - they are both here for one thing - get paid. If they make friends during the voyage, then all the better, but most of the roguish characters I've had the pleasure of DM/GMing over the decades are most often "looking out for me and mine." That's going to cause a division when the smuggler is running in a party with basically Jedi-hearted people in it. I think it's a similar case if one were to play the Fire & Brimstone Preacher in a party otherwise full of law-breaking convicts and atheists. Expect friction! =)

5. I believe the Fire & Brimstone Preacher core character concept is worse for this group. Why? Because right there in the description it states that these preachers are out to kill D-Bees. Well, again, that's everyone in our party.

That doesn't mean the concept is hopeless - back when Orikanyo was running his Anti-Monster, I thought that perhaps a Fire & Brimstone Preacher might have himself "seen the light" and realized that character matters more than origin. Perhaps he had seen Orikanyo's character do some truly good acts worthy even of a preacher and witnessing that, the preacher and the Anti-Monster might get along and even wind up friends. But without some kind of alteration, the Fire & Brimstone Preacher is literally out to destroy our characters with equal or greater fervor than that of the Coalition States.

6. As for the possibility of Trent lecturing everyone, he's definitely the talkative type, so it wouldn't surprise me if he either did that or stayed back with his scotch.

7. After reading alignments again, I'm changing my stance. I got Unprincipled and Anarchist mixed up. I don't think Trent is Unprincipled (basically good but selfish); he's being played as an Anarchist (purely selfish and willing to work with any other alignment to get what he wants). The reason I consider Trent to be Anarchist (Selfish) is because I think he falls under the "cocky loudmouth who is likely to do as he damn well pleases." He even said he was willing to work with the evil Splugorth (perhaps only as a rebuttal against Gradicus's own shouting), but he said it.

Perhaps you see Trent in a completely different light? I can only go by what you've written (Side note: I like how you write! You really get in your character's head and roleplay well. =) ).


8. As a player, I think Trent is a cat. He does as he pleases. He has already done what he wants without regard to anyone else's welfare. Plus, I don't think any of our characters think they "know" Trent. But wouldn't it be foolish to say that no one has seen his type before? In a post-apocalyptic world, Mad Max Rifts world, I imagine there would be plenty of anarchists out there. Trent, by his own actions and as seen by this player, is no enigma. He gets through life his own way and if that makes him a "heartless jerk," so be it. As long as Trent comes out ahead.

9. If there is a genuinely good side to him, I haven't seen it. His efforts to be kind toward Kimberly are shared only with her and while it may satisfy some "chivalrous" notion toward women in his head, Trent the Silver-Tongued has to know that it is one step closer to him getting whatever he wants from Kimberly. He hasn't displayed this toward the other women; just Kimberly. And Kimberly is both hot and exotic.

That's how I see it; it's just an opinion to help or leave by the wayside. I wrote all this in the hopes that it helps, Dano. I want you to have fun too! =)

 

[Purr]

Epiphany Hey Pips! You out there or did Real Life kidnap you again? =)

Spoiler: For everyone. Because I like sharing the funnies

"Mass Effect 3: Citadel DLC - I Love You, Grunt (FemShep) [Post-Mission Meet Up]" Dann here: This is so good. =)

 

[DraconianWarrior]

i think Dann summed it up perfectly, i honestly feel that so far we are all just playing our characters, and if that puts your character in a darker light then I'm sorry but you have to remember that our characters havn't known each other for very long, and don't know much about each other.

 

[Epiphany]

I've clearly missed fireworks. I'll try to catch up on them today or tomorrow but I've had the perfect storm of a peak cycle at work land during annual review composition (which is time consuming in my industry). It may be more like Saturday to be perfectly honest. Apologies for any inconvenience.

That said, in my entirely uninformed opinion, the point of a game (play by post or otherwise) is to enjoy yourself but that should be a goal shared by the group. There have been times I've played a character who, staying in character, would be an obstacle to others. If a character's behavior is unfun for another character, we're good, that's potentially good drama there. If the character's behavior is unfun for another player, that's bad for me, that's where I immediately pause and look to either recalibrate the character or go with a different character for the game.

At the risk of being salacious, this isn't a bad thing and people shouldn't be judged by it any more than they should be judged for their kinks. Some of you have kinks you're into and I'm not into and vice versa, and that's fine. You should never feel bad about enjoying what you enjoy playing in a game. But any time you play with some new folks, it's good to figure out what everyone's up for and if it turns out they're not up for what you're up for, consider going another way with the character or consider finding other players if what those players enjoy ultimately isn't what you enjoy. I've left RPs in the past because it was clear to me that what others enjoyed isn't what I enjoyed, and me pursuing my enjoyment would detract from their enjoyment.

I'm not proposing anyone leave this RP. Just trying to reframe the conversation by encouraging people to look back at what they enjoy doing. If you're not having fun, don't accept it as the status quo, challenge it and let's see where we can land.

 

[Purr]

Good to see you, Pips! Thanks for chiming in. Real Life (as always) Comes First.

I don't want anyone leaving either. Though I love my character and find him thrilling to play, part of me is willing to offer to retire Gradicus and play another character for Dano's sake. That said, all of me is not comfortable playing in a game full of Anarchist (selfish)-to-Diabolic(evil) alignments. I just left that game. That's why I am with you and not with them.

On the other hand Dano might not be comfortable playing with good-aligned characters. Being new to Rifts, he had no idea what Mystic Knights or Atlanteans were all about. Dano, how do you feel? What's your comfort level when it comes to alignments?

From a GM's perspective, I know how to prevent this sort of thing from happening (establish early on what alignments are allowed and stick to it). It's a much tricker stunt to solve when it's already happened.

 

[DraconianWarrior]

While we are on the subject of alignments, would my character be considered scrupulous?

 

[Silanon]

Not much to add at this point - thanks for the additional thoughts, the three of you, you caught a lot of things that I didn't think about when I wrote my post.

DraconianWarrior Good question - think you'd be the best one to answer that What I've seen thus far could be most of the good- to-selfish alignments in Rifts, don't think Blake has touched too much of the areas yet where they are different. I might be missing something there, though.

 

[Purr]

Again, I agree with Silanon.

Sherwood ? Since this here is your show and all - what are your thoughts?

 

[Sherwood]

I don't have much to add from what everyone has already said. It is my hope as Storyteller that everyone is able to enjoy themselves and play their character as they want. But with that being said, it is possible for someone to be soured to the game by the posts of another.

Right now, I am wondering how to keep the group together once you return to see Brazamal, since it would be a normal thing for everyone to take their pay and scatter to the four winds. I hope that there is a bit of a bond formed over time between the characters.

 

[Purr]

Hmm. Sherwood I think bonds are a good way to start, but bonds alone certainly do not adventures or adventurers make. Our characters' futures would probably best be held together by having common goals (any rich, supernatural baddies out there?). I think goals can either strengthen bonds or break them, but it's usually the former. In bonds or goals, I believe if the PCs want it to happen, it will. =)

Hmm again! Here's an idea for a common goal. Brazamal has been the glue that got us together from the start. How about this? Maybe we return from Atlantis, turn the folks we save over to Olsen (this already assumes a lot), but come to find out, something has happened to Brazamal and he needs our help getting out of it? If we don't, we don't get paid, but if we do, we get a bonus of some kind (perhaps a ship of our own to maintain and fly us around)? That'll probably help spur the financially-motivated party members while the good guys and gals would run to the rescue naturally.

The result of that might be to strengthen the glue between our team members (with each other) and then Brazamal and perhaps Olsen. And maybe while it's going on, we help out some faction that's also been captured; one that could keep us all moving in a general direction together by way of giving us merc work? Maybe that direction could be going anti-Coalition States and getting involved in the war, or avoiding the war entirely and heading over to Triax and Europe or elsewhere? I think one or more of us (Pips maybe?) said North America adventures were a little old and it would do good to get us out of country instead. Hence Atlantis.

Just throwing out ideas. Maybe they'll turn into something good down the road? Here's hoping! =)

 

[Silanon]

Question: Terra carried our blind warrior back to the ship, right? Just making sure that that's common sense, or she'll be the village's guardian for years to come...

As for the bonding etc - some things are already slowly progressing, and a bit of downtime might work with that as well. Thus far, we had the meeting and two fights to get through, those already form the foundation for some connections amongst characters. We've got plenty of time to get back to Bramazal, so that shouldn't be too much of an issue by then, hopefully. But as Danni said, we'll need more than just bonds. If we want to explore other parts of the world (and I think at least some of us would prefer that), I'll need a damn good reason for Shaona to not participate in the upcoming mage wars instead, for example. Pretty sure that we can find something for that when the time comes, though.

On a less serious side-note: It's nice to hear that you worry about the time after Atlantis - that means that there is a chance of survival, at least

 

[Purr]

or she'll be the village's guardian for years to come...

This made me laugh out loud, Silanon! =)

On a less serious side-note: It's nice to hear that you worry about the time after Atlantis - that means that there is a chance of survival, at least

Oh, make no mistake, good Silanon! When it comes to Robotech and Rifts games, more often than not, Ol' Sherwood is in it for the long haul. He's not a PKer ("Player-Killer") but instead a guy who enjoys making adventures for months, perhaps years to come. He's not the fifth most-prolific poster in all of RP Nation for nothing! =)

 

[Silanon]

True words, as usual - I've been in a few of his rp's during the last few years, and I actually can't recall any major losses. Certainly looking forward to where this story will lead us - the last Rifts adventure was likely my favorite rp I've ever been in (thus far).

 

[Psychie]

Hey Sherwood ! Which rifle did Terra end up with when the group flew back to the ship?

Btw, love the "fly casual" clip!

 

[Sherwood]

<tosses coin> Terra has the TW Force Cannon, leaving the NG-P7 Particle Beam Rifle (RUE pg 270) in Shaona's possession. Don't forget that each weapon has three full magazines and two empties. There is also the NG-101 Rail Gun (RUE pg 270), but the ammo seems to be claimed by Blake to help reload the drones.

 

[Psychie]

Cool. Hey Purr do you want the Force Cannon? It could give Gradicus a good long range punch. I'm sure that he's strong enough to use it. Do you have WP Heavy Weapons?

 

[Silanon]

Good stuff - wrote the gun on my character sheet for now - if someone has better use for it, let me know. I dropped it on the deck, after all.

 

[Purr]

Psychie Sure do and sure (have W.P. Heavy Weapons and would like the Force Cannon)! It would be Gradicus's first TK weapon (which, I believe, he could recharge himself? Sherwood ?).

Does anyone else want it? I'll defer if you do. =)

 

[Sherwood]

Psychie and Silanon just to let you know, over the next couple of days, you guys can swap one spell to add to your library of available magic.

 

[Sherwood]

Psychie Sure do and sure (have W.P. Heavy Weapons and would like the Force Cannon)! It would be Gradicus's first TK weapon (which, I believe, he could recharge himself? Sherwood ?).

Does anyone else want it? I'll defer if you do. =)

Sounds like she is deferring to you. Lol Yes, you can recharge it slowly over time, and if the weapon runs out of charges, you can use your own PPE to fuel it at the cost of 20 points per shot.

 

[Purr]

Thanks, Sherwood!

Psychie is deferring, but what if Trent or Eric or Shaona or Kimberly wanted it?

 

[Sherwood]

Speaking of Trent and Kimberly, where are Dano and Epiphany ?

 

[Sherwood]

And just to let you know, Shaona is not strong enough to use the Force Cannon.

 

[Purr]

No, but if she wanted to mount the thing on something or take it apart for her techno-wizardry, Gradicus would oblige. Caring takes a little extra effort, but it can go a long, long way. =)

I've been wondering too - Dano, are you still with us, bud? In her last post, I think Pips said she'd probably be able to post today sometime. Hope so!