DMF Online

Willard skrev:

STROBE UPGRADE (FLASHLIGHT)

The direction, however, already seems covered unless you mount the strobe to your helmet, but even then you're generally going to look where you shoot. I'm also guessing the range is that of the flashlight, so generally 40m. But do you keep rolling every round, just when it's turned on, or even just once per encounter?

bladerunner_35 skrev:Maybe ignore the shaken effect and instead give the opponents that are targeted by the strobe -1 or -2 to shoot back.

Aww, man... You guys made me actually go and do research. Well, as much as checking google can be called "research", anyhow.

In my opinion, the two greatest flaws in the description are that it doesn't specify how wide the area of effect is (which is really why I went with the flamethrower template - it's the only cone template used by Savage Worlds) or how often the Spirit test is made.

After reading some first-hand accounts of using strobes in tactical training exercises and airsoft fights, it seems that current manufacturer claims for the effectiveness of tactical strobes are greatly exaggerated (imagine that...) and their major benefits are in the initial blinding effect and giving targets ongoing difficulty in judging the range to the strobe's source.

So, how about this:

• The strobe affects one individual plus one group in the user's zone and one additional group in an adjacent zone. (With non-abstract positioning, use a flamethrower template. Center the arc on your current target and project the arc out to 20".)
• Strobes have no effect at all in good lighting situations.
• Activating or deactivating a weapon-mounted strobe is a free action.
• While your strobe is active, you can only shoot at affected targets. Even if your weapon range is longer, you have a hard time making out targets in the darkness beyond the strobed area.
• In the first round of strobe activation, affected characters must test Spirit or be Shaken, with +2 on the roll if they have flash compensators or in Dim lighting. Characters entering the area while the strobe is active or characters who are already being strobed from another source are not subject to this effect. This effect is also negated if any other strobes were in use at the beginning of the round. To repeat this effect within a single encounter, all active strobes must be turned off for at least one full round.
• While being strobed, targets suffer -2 on rolls to unshake and attacks against the source of the strobe are at -1 to hit in Dim lighting or -2 in Dark or Pitch Darkness. Targets with flash compensators ignore these effects entirely.

I think that should be useful, but not overpowered, and reasonably realistic. It's just a question of whether it's too complex... (In my head, at least, it's conceptually simple, just wordy to explain.)

Willard skrev:Dave, what do you think about combining vehicles, smart weapon turrets and drone transponders? To me it seems like they want you to do that (why else have transponders?), but you're the boss.

Why else have transponders? So you can pilot everyone else's hoverboards, of course!

But, yes, you can definitely mount transponders on vehicles and smart turrets. If you're combining all three into a single package, though, you'd probably be better off integrating the turret into the vehicle first (assuming the vehicle can support it, of course) and then using a single transponder to control the whole thing.

Rekreativc skrev:I took the time to take a look at equipment. I can't remember what amount of starting money we've agreed on, but I'm playing a Spartian (frugal) character so I think it shouldn't be a problem even with the multiplier because of my size.

Looks good!

Regarding the Dante armor, you'd definitely have a Category 3-PR permit allowing you to use it on the job even if you don't take a general Category 3 license. As for using it for "side projects", you'll have to either convince your boss to let you check it out (spend one of your favors from Street Cred) or somehow arrange for the giant suit to quietly disappear without anyone noticing. Definitely looks like a nice piece of equipment to pick up when you have the cash for it, though!

Now to go finish writing up weapon licensing so that "Category 3-PR" will mean something to anyone other than myself...

I'll just make it easier on everyone and drop my strobe upgrade. Let's keep your houserules in case it crops up again.

Just checking the licensing rules on OP. They seem solid. My only quibble is that you should base the cost per month instead of per year. Since every other cost of living is per month, just to keep things straightforward.

bladerunner_35 skrev:Just checking the licensing rules on OP. They seem solid. My only quibble is that you should base the cost per month instead of per year. Since every other cost of living is per month, just to keep things straightforward.

Just updated with details of the licensing requirements for Category 3 and up and the costs/effects of the different permit Types. I also changed the fees from annual to monthly as you suggested.

I'm assuming that all the PCs are probably from Chicago and did a couple years in the Chicago Militia at some point, so you should be eligible for Category 3 permits (general if you have Shooting d8 or better, 3-R (limited to weapons matching your skill specialization(s)) if your skill is lower) with no problems.

I still have a section to add which will cover registration of individual weapons, but that shouldn't have any effect on you unless you have illegal weapons that will need forged registrations - a legitimate registration is included in the cost of a normal purchase. I'll also be making a pass through the equipment book to expand the list of items included in each Category and hopefully avoid any ambiguity about what goes where.

Just a quick question Dave:

With cyberlungs and cybernetic eyes is my character immune to tear gas or do I need to buy a gas mask anyways?

bladerunner_35 skrev:Just a quick question Dave:

With cyberlungs and cybernetic eyes is my character immune to tear gas or do I need to buy a gas mask anyways?

Yeah, I would think that should make you immune to tear gas. No need for a mask.

And, in other news: Aargh!! They just released the final PDFs of the Achtung! Cthulhu Investigator's Guide! Must... not... get... distracted...

Once I do take the time to read it, though, be warned: The way I got into the AC kickstarter was because they decided to do a crossover with the IZ2.0 kickstarter. I wonder if any shoggoths might still be lying around from Nazi experiments 150 years ago...

Well. I do not mind if you slowly (very slowly) introduce some occult themes. There are zeeks and secret corporate laboratories after all. And I always thought CthulhuTech seemed cool. First things first though.

I'm not big on Cthulhu, but like Dave I can't really object if your character (very) slowly delves into the occult.

bladerunner_35 skrev:I'll just make it easier on everyone and drop my strobe upgrade. Let's keep your houserules in case it crops up again.

I was actually thinking of putting strobes on a bunch of my drones, so I'm glad we had the discussion. I'm happy to play along with Dave's suggestion and any future tweaks. Unlike the mini-mekmon/gyroc investment the money involved here is peanuts. And the upgrade is both cool and sensible.

nDervish skrev:Why else have transponders? So you can pilot everyone else's hoverboards, of course!

That's a good idea!

nDervish skrev:But, yes, you can definitely mount transponders on vehicles and smart turrets. If you're combining all three into a single package, though, you'd probably be better off integrating the turret into the vehicle first (assuming the vehicle can support it, of course) and then using a single transponder to control the whole thing.

Depending on what you mean by "the vehicle can support it" that's exactly what I had in mind. I'm guessing weight and some common sense regarding the size. All this means I'm going to rent and spend a lot of time in a pretty big workshop/garage somewhere. As it should be.

With that I'm scratching all the drones I had "purchased" previously. I'll assemble my own fleet instead.

Willard skrev:

nDervish skrev:Why else have transponders? So you can pilot everyone else's hoverboards, of course!

That's a good idea!

Plus it opens up the possibility for Sebastian's character to die before the first combat even starts: "Oops, sorry about flying you into that wall. I was distracted trying to coordinate the giant hybrid's twin boards."

Willard skrev: Depending on what you mean by "the vehicle can support it" that's exactly what I had in mind. I'm guessing weight and some common sense regarding the size.

Structural issues, too. There needs to be a place to attach the weapon where it's adequately supported and any recoil won't just bend the vehicle's frame under the attachment point. Civilian vehicles won't normally come with any hardpoints/firmpoints, but you can reinforce the frame to create them.

Willard skrev: All this means I'm going to rent and spend a lot of time in a pretty big workshop/garage somewhere. As it should be.

Speaking of which, if you haven't already done so, try to come up with something before tomorrow's game to explain why you're rich and what you need to do to keep the money flowing. ("Rich characters triple their starting funds and get a bonus 12,500 credits each Advance. However, the money always comes with an obligation. They could earn money from a corporate sponsorship, a trust fund, or even a business the character runs and owns. Examples of rich characters in the genre are Sylvia Stingray from Bubblegum Crisis and Logan Cale from Dark Angel; they both had obligations (running a business, playing nice with the family) that they had to uphold in order to keep their money. This is a Minor Vow Hindrance that you should discuss with your GM – failure to uphold the Vow means that the character doesn’t receive his extra credits until he takes care of those obligations.")

Willard skrev: With that I'm scratching all the drones I had "purchased" previously. I'll assemble my own fleet instead.

OK, should be interesting. Keep in mind that anything completely home-built will be either an "advanced prototype" or (more likely) "scrap built" drone/mech/vehicle, as per Golemmechs p.27. For patching together standard vehicles plus smart turrets or whatever, I suppose consider those to be a d6 flaws test (no wild die, but +1 per raise on the Repair roll to build it in the first place and you can use bennies to reroll). Just installing a drone transponder doesn't call for any flaws test at all, since that's what transponders are designed for.

nDervish skrev:

Willard skrev:

nDervish skrev:Why else have transponders? So you can pilot everyone else's hoverboards, of course!

That's a good idea!

Plus it opens up the possibility for Sebastian's character to die before the first combat even starts: "Oops, sorry about flying you into that wall. I was distracted trying to coordinate the giant hybrid's twin boards."

I would pay good money to see this.

Those gritty damage no soak rules will make things...more interesting...

While procrastinating on the final additions to the weapon licensing page, I've just added a list of Chicago neighborhoods to the wiki, along with their associated location trappings (which I assigned from the Boston and San Francisco books).

Also, I forgot to mention earlier that I noticed CW had added entries for Naperville and his character to the OP site. Have an extra bennie tomorrow!

Just like in Savage Marches, anyone who writes a character diary (under OP's "Adventure Log" section) or updates the wiki gets an extra bennie for the next session they play in. If you do both, you get two bennies.

I'll mostly just be updating the wiki with rules-related stuff, the Chicago Free Press, and some initial descriptions of locations/NPCs/etc. Beyond that, it's up to you guys to keep it updated with your latest notes and discoveries.

nDervish skrev:Also, I forgot to mention earlier that I noticed CW had added entries for Naperville and his character to the OP site. Have an extra bennie tomorrow!

The dynamic character sheet didn't seem entirely appropriate, at least with regards to skills, so I'm not sure how to continue there. The wiki is a great idea.

nDervish skrev:Structural issues, too. There needs to be a place to attach the weapon where it's adequately supported and any recoil won't just bend the vehicle's frame under the attachment point. Civilian vehicles won't normally come with any hardpoints/firmpoints, but you can reinforce the frame to create them.

Yeah, I imagine there will be a lot of wiring and welding involved one way or another. At least in the beginning I was planning to use the most basic vehicles (hoverboard, micron car, dragonfly) and attaching a turret or tripod mounted weapon. At least the turret should take most of the recoil and such, but in any case I won't be able to afford (or at least won't buy) the really heavy weapons for a while yet.

nDervish skrev:Speaking of which, if you haven't already done so, try to come up with something before tomorrow's game to explain why you're rich and what you need to do to keep the money flowing.

I forgot about that. An earlier idea I had was for Almighty to be a co-founder and partner in Englewood Dynamics, but has taken a step back from operations after burning out on a series of nasty missions. I'll help out there from time to time as my current "vow".

Also being human 2.0 (and not from China) his family is going to be wealthy. One of the first advances I want to get is "Filthy Rich", and I imagine that could come from a close relative dying and leaving an inheritance. Family business & politics would then become another "vow". But let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Willard skrev:

nDervish skrev:Also, I forgot to mention earlier that I noticed CW had added entries for Naperville and his character to the OP site. Have an extra bennie tomorrow!

The dynamic character sheet didn't seem entirely appropriate, at least with regards to skills, so I'm not sure how to continue there. The wiki is a great idea.

Simple. Just don't use any cheet. Type the text as you would in a forum. There's some formats to get bolded text and stuff. More than that isn't needed imho.

Willard skrev:Also being human 2.0 (and not from China) his family is going to be wealthy. One of the first advances I want to get is "Filthy Rich", and I imagine that could come from a close relative dying and leaving an inheritance. Family business & politics would then become another "vow". But let's not get ahead of ourselves.

If we work a little with it, this could be a natural way for the campaign to move up in power level. Maybe some corporate mergers or hostile take overs and Almighty needs his trusted (sort of) merc friends...

Willard skrev:

nDervish skrev:Also, I forgot to mention earlier that I noticed CW had added entries for Naperville and his character to the OP site. Have an extra bennie tomorrow!

The dynamic character sheet didn't seem entirely appropriate, at least with regards to skills, so I'm not sure how to continue there.

Basically... don't worry about it. Just give me your final character information. I have my own program I use to keep track of the official versions of the all the character data and I've given it an export function that spits the character out in a format that I can copy and paste into Obsidian Portal. You can look at http://www.obsidianportal.com/campaigns ... s?tag=deva to see how the exports end up, although I'll need to update the exporter for IZ's extra character stats. (Which I hadn't thought of previously... Adding it to my to-do list...)

Willard skrev: The wiki is a great idea.

Yeah, I really liked it when we first tried Obsidian Portal for Savage Marches. I have kind of the opposite problem with it than with TVTropes, though... I get stuck in TVTropes for days at a time because every page I read leaves me with five more to read. With OP, every one I write leaves me with five more to write...

Willard skrev: I forgot about that. An earlier idea I had was for Almighty to be a co-founder and partner in Englewood Dynamics, but has taken a step back from operations after burning out on a series of nasty missions. I'll help out there from time to time as my current "vow".

Yep, that works!

Final version of the character:



Real name: Geisha combat model type 4B number 2000001

Street name: Paladin

Meta-human type: Simulacra soldier type

Occupation: Escort

Party role: Face.

Contacts: Strawberry, hippy hacker activist/Cyber terrorist. Laura Blue, Zeek healer and vetrinarian/street doc for the hippe commune.

Time left to live: 365 days.

Stats:

Race: Simulacra soldier type.

Attributes: Agility d6 Smarts d4 Spirit d10 Strength d8 Vigor d6

Skills: Fighting d10 (Short blades, unarmed, whips), Persuasion d10 (Seduction, charm, fast talk, debate), Stealth d6 , Notice d6, Streetwise (Corporate)

Charisma: 6 (8 against organics) ;Pace: d6 ; Parry: 7 ; Toughness: 5 Strain: 7, Firewall Rating: 4, Street Cred: 2

Hindrances: Heroic (major), Enemy Norrtech (minor), Loyal (minor)

Edges: Attractive, Very attractive.

Equipment: Executive decision entourage suite +6 (In the form of nice asian style dress)

Dominatrix pain whip: 2d6 vs spirit. Uses slow power.

Monofilament Butterfly swords +d6 ap6

Cheramic Butterfly swords +d6 ap2

NAKAMURA MOTORS ‘KAMIKAZE’ JUMP BOARD!!!!!

Cyberware Street level: Beutification treatment (+2 charisma), Tailored phermones (+2 charisma), Cyber arm chemical injector, Knowcomp (Streetwise)

Cyberware Gutterlevel: Knowcomp (Drive)

Drugs: Knockout 9 doses, Paralysis 4 doses, Lethal 2 doses.

Sorry, I forgot.

Lifestyle: Modest life style. (I was thinking about living in a hippie commune, but that is mostly fluff. Would that work?)


Social justice: +

Communism: +

Corporations: -

(Yes, I plan on sticking it to the man, dudes )

This is going to be a kick-ass party and campaign!

Still got some tweaks left to do on Ryder before I am happy with him. I'll have him up on OP together with some other write-up before tomorrow evening for those all important extra bennies.

Did you guys hear about GitS: Arise and the coming mmo?!?!

This is going to be a kick-ass party and campaign!

It really will be

Did you guys hear about GitS: Arise and the coming mmo?!?!

I heard about Arise but not the mmo. Arise looks really good

God45 skrev:Lifestyle: Modest life style. (I was thinking about living in a hippie commune, but that is mostly fluff. Would that work?)

Sure. Just come up with a name and description for the commune and put it up on the wiki. Then we can figure out a location (probably one of the smaller western suburbs of Chicago, since the north side is mostly corporate and the south side is one big combat zone) and an appropriate location trapping.

I've entered Paladin into my system and replaced the character data you put on OP with an export from that. One thing I noticed while doing that which you may have missed: Combat sims have the Outsider hindrance (-2 Charisma) when acting outside of their designated role as a soldier. Not that it really matters much - +6 is still good enough that you'll succeed with a raise on every Persuasion roll unless you roll snake eyes...

bladerunner_35 skrev:Did you guys hear about GitS: Arise and the coming mmo?!?!

News to me. Great to hear that they'll be back for another round! An MMO, though? Haven't I already got enough games to eat my life?

nDervish skrev:I've entered Paladin into my system and replaced the character data you put on OP with an export from that. One thing I noticed while doing that which you may have missed: Combat sims have the Outsider hindrance (-2 Charisma) when acting outside of their designated role as a soldier. Not that it really matters much - +6 is still good enough that you'll succeed with a raise on every Persuasion roll unless you roll snake eyes...

Do you prefer if we just post the final version of our characters here so you can put it on the portal in the format you prefer?