Dice Rifts Adventure - OOC

[Psychie]

I will go ahead and say that Dreamy would know that the Slavers will typically travel with anywhere from two to six Altarians with them as attendants and extra firepower, so it is not a guarantee that there are just four Altarians with it.

 

[Purr]

Of course, if we run, we risk getting killed by giving away our position. We may do better to huddle up and go silent instead of bolting out of there.

Sherwood, we know the danger is coming our way. We can't hide from it. That's the blessing of Sixth Sense - there is no "maybe" here, Bud. It's coming!

I will go ahead and say that Dreamy would know that the Slavers will typically travel with anywhere from two to six Altarians with them as attendants and extra firepower, so it is not a guarantee that there are just four Altarians with it.

Yeah, except we wouldn't know that it's a Barge at all. Not yet. By the time we take the time to see it, it might be upon us. We only have 1 minute to decide. We would only know we're in definite "life threatening" danger in unfamiliar territory.

 

[Purr]

Ultimately, I've just decided I'm up for whatever.

When Dreamy's Sixth Sense goes off, she knows for certain that danger is coming (it has found them) and that it's life threatening. So it's not like its Jake Turner's remaining goons minus Mega-damage gear coming; it's something that can and is coming to kill at least one of us.

That would be enough for Dreamy to want to bolt. She didn't get free of Atlantis by taking on every danger she came across. More importantly, our team's job is to get the Colsons to New York and then to Germany - not fight whatever shows up.

But yeah. I've belabored this point long enough. Whatever you want to do, I'll roll with it, though I want GunMan2's input before we decide, please. Psychie's fun games don't lack for tension! Stay healthy and safe in Real Life, friends! I'm off for now. =)

Honor and fun,
Dann =)

 

[Purr]

P.S. Whoops. Goofed again. I forgot to mention - Dreamy has less than zero desire to fight her fellow Altarians to the death. Of all things to show up here, these are literally her people.

This feels like Raven having to kill his fellow Cyber-knights or Takuma having a blow away is on family. Not fun at all.

Okay. Now I'm off! See you! 8D

 

[Sherwood]

G'nite.

 

[Purr]

Heya Gang! Side note: being big-time hyperactive, we have this thing called hyperfocusing where something sticks in our head so greatly, it's hard for us to get it out. Somehow, this Splugorth Slave Barge situation has "stuck" in my head and, maybe if I post again on it, I can finally free my head up for other things? Hyperactivity! It's faaantastic! 8D

Spoiler: Just sharing some more thoughts here. Enjoy!

So I'm at home. I'm taking it easy because my brain is giving me serious issues and I have decided to just take it easy today. Sort myself out. Call it a "Mental Health Day." I find them useful and I hope you do too. Sometimes, it's a Very Good Thing to step back from our daily responsibilities and journey and take stock of where we are going and what we are doing.

Just talking about our fun and thought-provoking gaming with you sure is a nice way to spend part of my day! Hope you're having a good one! =)

So... to put these thoughts down now. While I'm plenty certain Psychie is not trying to kill us or her NPCs or anything of the sort (she has never shown signs of being a "PKer" or Party Killer), Game Masters can be fickle creatures. Psychie is very good at holding her cards to her chest (a valuable trait for anyone, gamer or not). For all we know, this might be her Rifts Florida saying, "You had an easy enough time with Jake Turner, now get out of here and don't come back anytime soon. Here, have a Splugorth Slave Barge to see you on your way!" Heh!

Or Psychie may genuinely see this as some kind of standard encounter? One that, unless the dice gank us, we can most certainly survive with no hands lost (NPCs included. What can I say? I care about them too). GunMan2 is no pushover when it comes to his gaming style. Sherwood, you and I have been playing Palladium for no small while and we have both GMed Rifts for years. So... why should our party fear a single Splugorth Slave Barge?

Well, let me put something forward that I haven't yet. A lot of this talk that we've shared up until this point has been Player/GM-sided. "Meta-gaming" if you like the term. But as a fellow gamer once reminded his friends, "the idea is to roleplay, not 'roll-play.'" Sherwood, you don't think Psychie has put us in a no-win situation. I agree that I feel she definitely wouldn't do so on purpose. I don't know what GunMan2 thinks yet, but he strikes me as the kind of guy to play in games he can believe in. And that means believing in the people involved too. Like the lady running the game. =)

But back to roll-playing vs. roleplaying. The big question to me is: what should our characters be thinking and doing now?

Here we are, fugitives from Atlantis, striking out on our own, just having gotten out from under the rotten heel of a rotten vampire and his goons to aid an old fellow and his psychic son in their journey, and... two of us with psionic powers have a sure message from our brains alerting us that we are in life-threatening danger. Not a "get ready! the GM is throwing an encounter your way!" but "danger of the gravest kind is en route to you now!"

What would our characters think? Hell, what would WE think if we were in their shoes? Some of our characters have codes to follow. Raven the Cyber-knight has his code and Dreamy has a set of ideals passed down from her Ninja Undead Hunter mentors and family. Takuma too has a conscience to follow inside that big borg body.

In character, Dreamy would rabbit. If she were leading the party (which she's not), she'd grab the people we are duty-bound to protect and skedaddle to safety at top speed. What about yours? Roleplaying is the name of the game. =)

Now, if we're high-tailing it to safety and she detects the unmistakable evidence of a Splugorth Slave Barge of all things after them, she - being an Altarian Warrior Woman and slave of some 2,000 years to the Splugorth - is going to be hit with a tsunami of emotions the likes of which Jake Turner could have never produced!

Where do these thoughts stem from? My character. This... "person on paper" I've taken the time to imagine, to mold, and given life to. Sure, as Players and GM, we may have our own thoughts and motions - and Real Life Always Comes First (which means us!) - but when it comes to what happens in our fun and festive and obviously thought-provoking game we all share?

I want to roleplay it, not roll-play it. =)

Honor and fun,
Dann =)

 

[Purr]

Heya EmperorNorton1 Alex! Good to see you coming up for air! =)

 

[EmperorNorton1]

it's been a while, hasent it! I'm sorry, it's been a rather long... while. but the motvation has returned, and with it, the knowledge of what i want to do with Thea. (she's got a name nowwwww)

 

[Purr]

it's been a while, hasent it! I'm sorry, it's been a rather long... while. but the motvation has returned, and with it, the knowledge of what i want to do with Thea. (she's got a name nowwwww)

Woo! 8D

No worries! It is the holiday season and I don't know anyone who isn't at least a little busier than normal! Give a shout to Psychie (I think I just did there) and see what the two of you can come up with for Thea! If nothing else, I will enjoy two very fun people having what is likely to be having a very fun chat! =)

 

[EmperorNorton1]

ah yes, of course!
Psychie , I am thinking of taking the Communications set up in HoM. communications and technical skills as well.

(this is what it says for reffrence)
so could i perchance get two D4s rolled for me?

 

[Psychie]

it's been a while, hasent it! I'm sorry, it's been a rather long... while. but the motvation has returned, and with it, the knowledge of what i want to do with Thea. (she's got a name nowwwww)

Good to see you again! I was starting to worry you'd decided not to join us.

ah yes, of course!
Psychie , I am thinking of taking the Communications set up in HoM. communications and technical skills as well.
View attachment 1129177
(this is what it says for reffrence)
so could i perchance get two D4s rolled for me?

Ok here's your rolls:
3 and 2 on the d4s.

 

[Purr]

ah yes, of course!
Psychie , I am thinking of taking the Communications set up in HoM. communications and technical skills as well.
View attachment 1129177
(this is what it says for reffrence)
so could i perchance get two D4s rolled for me?

There's a 2D6+1 roll in there too for S.D.C.? =)

 

[Purr]

Psychie I don't recall you mentioning this so I hope you don't mind my bringing it up again - if you decide that Sixth Sense is too powerful/overmuch, etc., and you decide to get rid of it/replace it, I will certainly understand. It's quite potent and as long as the psychics still have I.S.P./can still use their powers, Sixth Sense goes off virtually killing any chance of surprising those two characters. =)

 

[Psychie]

I don't mind that you and sherwood have Sixth Sense. It is powerful, but you guys are not the average Joe's.

I do want to reassure all of you that I do not plan on a TPK in your first full encounter. This is s tough encounter, bit not one that I feel you can't prevail with, in one form or another.

 

[Purr]

I don't mind that you and sherwood have Sixth Sense. It is powerful, but you guys are not the average Joe's.

I do want to reassure all of you that I do not plan on a TPK in your first full encounter. This is s tough encounter, bit not one that I feel you can't prevail with, in one form or another.

As a Player, if we're going by the standard Rifts rules, I feel we should be fleeing. But this your game and if you say it is instead a "tough encounter," then I choose to trust you. I just want you to know that once the party realizes what is now threatening them, Dreamy's immediate first instinct is not to fight or flee but to surrender.

As I understand Altarians, Dreamy has been a Splugorth slave since... around the time of Jesus Christ (no exaggeration). Having to somehow swiftly overcome all of that to then be forced to fight her own "sisters" to whatever comes next, well... this is... almost her worst nightmare (the worst being everyone recaptured or killed or both as one often leads to the other).

I feel it is only right to roleplay my character accurately. In the current situation, that means I play her as if she has automatically failed a Horror Factor check. Then she is left to face her considerable demons (I might make a couple of rolls here to help me decide how she reacts - that's what I often do when I think it's unfair for me to decide something in a game).

I'm not at my best when I'm surprised and this is certainly a surprise for both Dreamy and myself. I'll still roleplay it, of course. All of this thinking makes me realize something though.

Spoiler: My problem is largely with me.

In my Rifts games, these barges are party killers/capturers.

I have literally decades of GMing experience (some including this very game) shouting in my head with stuff like, "Those Altarians - who average 7th level experience each to our 3rd level - come standard with 8 Actions per Round plus their Armor of Ithan-like Talismans and Net Guns. Psychie capped (at least) my character at 6. We can't dodge those Net Guns when we run out of Actions. This could be decided in Round 1!"

And stuff like, "If the barge's eye units and other stuff doesn't enter combat, and if the Splugorth doesn't make use of his badass Greater (?) Rune Staff which I remember from Sherwood's 9th level game, and if the Splugorth Slave Barge doesn't call for reinforcements, and if the barge and foes are nerfed/damaged/tactically stupid or all three, we might get out of this without 3 dead, captured, or fleeing NPCs. Surely Psychie knows what the Splugorth do to faeries like Sylvie. The picture Psychie initially showed us from the front cover shows the standard 4 Blind Warrior Women - later she stated there may be as few as 2 or as many as 6. Is this an out?"

There is more, but you get the idea.

Despite all of this, I trust you. Not because I think you're one of those "you cannot die" style GMs, but because you came out and said this is meant to be a "tough encounter." Remember, I'm the GM who has the statement, "Your character is in mortal danger" in his games. I have to remember that you don't play that way and just go with all of this. =)

It won't be fun to write as Dreamy in this state (far from it), but I'm up to the challenge. I just hope it's worth it (and yet I don't know what I mean by that). Yeah. I stayed home today because my head's wonky. Best to end the post here. =)

Honor and fun,
Dann =)

 

[Psychie]

I will say this: I plan on this to be a reoccurring bad guy encounter that will be hunting you for a while. With that being said, I will give GunMan2 a bit longer to post his initiative roll before we move forward.

 

[Purr]

I will say this: I plan on this to be a reoccurring bad guy encounter that will be hunting you for a while. With that being said, I will give GunMan2 a bit longer to post his initiative roll before we move forward.

I appreciate you telling me that even if I won't "let my character know." =)

 

[Sherwood]

Do we need to post in initiative order since the fight hasn't started yet?

 

[Psychie]

For this next minute, you can post as you wish and not worry about order. I hacer the numbers listed for when the action does start.

 

[Purr]

You have for melee rounds to activate any powers or cast any spells you wish. Plenty of time to get fully boosted for the encounter. Document what you are doing in that IC thread

By "for," I take it you mean "four."

If we don't hear from GunMan2 (and who isn't busy in this holiday season?)... well, let's just say I hope the battle is adjusted for such a situation. =)

I will say this: I plan on this to be a reoccurring bad guy encounter that will be hunting you for a while.

I should let you know now - this is going to have a traumatic effect on Dreamy (or I can lie and have her act less-distressed, but this does no one any good, and I don't lie to my friends).

For this next minute, you can post as you wish and not worry about order. I hacer the numbers listed for when the action does start.

You "have" the numbers listed? I don't want to only be 95% certain when instead I can ask and be 100%. =)

Psychie I want to be certain I understand clearly. When Sixth Sense goes off in a standard game, the life-threatening danger is confirmed and incoming. It works much like Spider-Man's Spider Sense. We don't know where it is coming from. We should have no idea of what the danger is - unless you specifically state that we somehow detect it.

How much of our 60 seconds is spent discovering the identity of the threat? Or perhaps the better question is - how much time are we going to have after the discovery of the Splugorth Slave Barge is made?

EDIT: I have changed "works just like" to "works much like Spider-Man's Spider Sense." Spider-Man's Spider Sense, at least to my knowledge, always alerts him while a psychic's Sixth Sense can stop operating due to lack of I.S.P.. Plus, Spidey seems to always knows in which direction the danger is coming from in order to best avoid it. =)

 

[Psychie]

By "for," I take it you mean "four."

If we don't hear from GunMan2 (and who isn't busy in this holiday season?)... well, let's just say I hope the battle is adjusted for such a situation. =)


I should let you know now - this is going to have a traumatic effect on Dreamy (or I can lie and have her act less-distressed, but this does no one any good, and I don't lie to my friends).


You "have" the numbers listed? I don't want to only be 95% certain when instead I can ask and be 100%. =)

Psychie I want to be certain I understand clearly. When Sixth Sense goes off in a standard game, the life-threatening danger is confirmed and incoming. It works much like Spider-Man's Spider Sense. We don't know where it is coming from. We should have no idea of what the danger is - unless you specifically state that we somehow detect it.

How much of our 60 seconds is spent discovering the identity of the threat? Or perhaps the better question is - how much time are we going to have after the discovery of the Splugorth Slave Barge is made?

EDIT: I have changed "works just like" to "works much like Spider-Man's Spider Sense." Spider-Man's Spider Sense, at least to my knowledge, always alerts him while a psychic's Sixth Sense can stop operating due to lack of I.S.P.. Plus, Spidey seems to always knows in which direction the danger is coming from in order to best avoid it. =)

Darn autocorrect strikes again, and Dann is quick to spot my spelling errors! Lol

Ok, we are backing up a tad in the IC thread since I made that mistake with the Sixth Sense powers. Let's see if this avoids the confusion. (Fingers crossed!)

Raven, Dreamy and Oleg all have Sixth Sense, and it is going off for the three of you. Before your Perception rolls can pick up on the sound of the hover platform, you will have three melee rounds to power up, cast spells, and declare any actions you wish to attempt.

 

[Purr]

Ok, we are backing up a tad in the IC thread since I made that mistake with the Sixth Sense powers. Let's see if this avoids the confusion. (Fingers crossed!)

Excellent, Psychie! =)

Everyone goofs, but you've learned well once again! =)

 

[Psychie]

I am only human, and on occasions I do screw up. I'm just lucky that you guys are so willing to work with me and help me to grow. Thank you.

 

[Sherwood]

You are doing great, and I would be a poor friend if I didn't help out when I can. You are very welcome, my friend.

 

[Psychie]

Dang! I forgot Sylvie on the initiative order. Oops!