Play by Forums?

Would anyone be interested in running through the starter kit as a PBF (Play By Forums)?

If so, I'd be willing to GM for it. What are people's thoughts?

Depending on how it'd work (time committment), I might be in.

I’m willing to give it a shot.  I’ve never done a pbf of a RPG before. 

I've done play-by-forums before, but of course I've read the starter kit already.

I'm mulling over what I'd like to do when the full game comes out, with play-by-post being my most viable option.  I'm personally planning on GMing a game with some significant house rules to facilitate the format.  Things like: initiative goes to whoever posts next (instead of whoever the current player chooses), twists should almost always be determined by the player who triggers them (and if they can't come up with something, the GM will add the twist in at a later time), players have a significant amount of leeway in resolving ambiguous descriptions of the situation and putting words in other characters' mouths, etc.  I was planning a thread on the topic later on, but if someone wants to run the starter kit this way it might be worth discussion now.

That's a good point. I've read the starter kit as well.

Yes to this. All the yes.

Just tell me when!

This sounds interesting. The only issue with me is that I live in China, and I work all day on weekends, so I don't know you quickly I could regularly respond to things.

I would be interested in this.

I'm down.

Its alright you still have an incap ability you can use…

This sounds like a great idea. I dabble in play by post myself but I've never done it with an actual rpg.

What is the time requirement and the expectation of play by forums? I will play if I can meet those requirements.

As this is my first tiume running a PBF, I'm unsure what the requirements will be. I mostly planned to see what worked, although I'll take advice from those more experienced in such matters.

I'm also in a different timezone from most on these boards being in the UK. If that makes things problematic, and I can see how it could if everyone is waiting for the resolution of an action while I'm blissfully asleep, I can step aside and let someone in the States run things while I just watch, seething with jealousy.. :-)

As I suggested earlier, I think a great number of house rules will be necessary for this to work.  When I did D&D, if someone knew they wouldn't be able to post for a day or so, they'd state their intended action and the DM would adjudicate as best they could based on how things had changed.

Here, as I suggested before, I suggest a first-come, first-served method, where initiative just goes to whoever posts next (and not who the previous character chose to go next). Players should also have increased privilege to come up with their own twists and just run with them without GM approval (although the GM could veto and retcon if they felt it was necessary).

Most likely the need for more house rules will become apparent as the game goes by.  However, while having everyone be in compatible time zones would be a plus, it's hardly necessary (I played D&D with several Europeans).

However it turns out, I'm more than willing to play. :)

I live in the EST time zone, just for referance. I can post most any day, though I'm more likely to post at any time between noon and late evening.

Edit: Corrected my timezone. Thank you, MindWanderer.

For those with more experience, what is a reasonable posting schedule/volume to aim for? I don't want this to be stuttering but I also don't want people to feel too pressured if they haven't posted a small novella.

I'm uncertain how to respond. Since I like the idea of online RPing in Sentinels stuff, but while I've done fully freeform RP on forums before and it worked fine, I'm unaware of how PBF games work for dice-based GM-adjucated games.

That’s EST this time of year, UTC-0500. UTC is Universal Time Coordinated, and corresponds to Greenwich, UK when not in European Summer Time.

As for how often people should post, it depends on the community. I’ve played in games where everyone was on all the time, and 3 or more posts a day was normal. In others, 4 posts a week was adequate to keep things moving. There should be house rules to cover when someone fails to post for a while, though.

I'm actually running the Starter Set adventures over on RPOL. I could use a player to take over Tachyon and possibly Unity, as it happens... 

Any word on when we'd want to start this?

How about we try to start on the 29th Jan. Give us a couple of weks to sort out the logistics and who's taking part as whom.

Reading the starter kit already is fine, just don't abuse your in game knowledge by 'suddenly' thinking of the best solution to problems.

So, who is still interested, and whom do you wish to play?

Anyone who hasn't got the starter kit but wants in, I'll see what I can work out to facilitate.

Oh, dice rolls will be on the honours system. It's a co-operative game, after all. Always succeeding isn't heroic, anyway, it's boring. And as you're playing the Freedom Five (or Unity) I think the very least we shoudl be doing is setting an example.

I'm still interested.  I'll play anyone, but I'm less interested in Legacy and Wraith.

If you ever wanted to go with trackable rolls, there are online services for that.  I used to use Invisible Castle, but it seems to be gone now. http://unseenservant.com/ and https://rolz.org/ seem to be the current alternatives.

I’m still interested too. I don’t have any character preference. 

I could be game. Same time zone as GtG Headquarters, if it matters for coordination purposes.

I'm down. I'd be interested in either Legacy or Bunker, but if it comes down to it I'll play anyone.

Everyone who’s expressed interest got access to the starter kit, or at least the character booklets?

@>G, if not, is it ok to send out the individual booklets to the appropriate player?

I do have the starter kit books.  

I'm still interested. I'm down to play anyone. Is the starter kit stuff in the playtesting forum?

I have it all.

Are we going to Run it here on this forum or move to another one. 

At the very least You should create a google docs to post important info. like who is playing what and people's time zones. Since one doesn't have much power on these forums.

While I love to play, I can give room to let other who havn't play.

We’re going to do the show right here. I already checked >G are ok with it and it seems reasonable as everyone already has access to it.

I’ll create docs and stuff as necessary.

@Nielzabub The starter kit is on the Sentinels Store as a pdf. Most of the rules are in the character packs.

I have the docs (still haven't read the story booklets b/c I'm a good non-GM), and am still interested. I'm in the EST time zone, and looking forward to this.

SpeedyOrlac,

As we now have 7 people, are you still ok stepping aside unless we have a dropout?

I don’t have to be in it, it’s fine for me to duck out if Speedy wants in.

Or, if Speedy wants to stand by as a 6th- I mean, 7th man, then I’ll take most anyone. Maybe not AZ or Tach as much, but still, you can’t go wrong with a character in this universe.

I got the starter kit, yes.

Do we want to figure out who's playing who? This is what everyone has said so far:

Mind Wanderer- No preferance, but less interested in Legacy or Wraith

Powerhound- No preferance

Phantom5613- Prefer to play Bunker or Legacy, but will play anyone

I am ok Dropping out. I have been promising Lord Flashfire to run this game for over a month now. Man Holidays are busy. I will watch and see. 

I made a Google Doc to help with Charter selection instead of making tons of forum posts. This can also be a place to post rule idea (One day to respond,  rolls are on an honesty system etc) until they have been cemented.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pNsJXAFgMrLUo1AS0CiNkR-t7yRSxS74o37lMKADSZM/edit?usp=sharing

Pwaston, you should make a new forum post with the players and the rules once this all gets sorted.

I intend to.

Thanks for the document. Although it's still set up so you're the only one with write access at the moment.

I would be happy to play whomever if there is space :) 

I have played in a PBTA forum game before and we set a basic post limit for the day and a max post limit. It was also you were free to describe your actions up until you made a roll. Then if you succeeded without awfulness / a need for DM interaction you could continue and pass the action on if you failed then you had to wait for the DM to give you your choice / make their action against you. 

I am looking for a trackable dice roller to recommend.

Edit: Found the dice roller I was looking for https://orokos.com/roll/

Fixed. Try it now.

Thanks, Speedyorlac.

Here are the six players I am aware of:

Phantom5613

Powerhound2000

Mind Wanderer

Lord Flash Fire

jffdougan

Demiher0

At present, no one has firmly selected their character, although we have some preferences and anti-preferences. I'll post up the scene setting sometime on Sunday, so if you can fight it out amongst yourselves who wants what before then, that would be good

I intend to use this thread for out of character questions and discussions with a new thread formed for the in game stuff (descriptions, actions, rolls). You guys can select your own twists and I'll only intervene in those if there's a good reason.

If no one has any problems with it I shall claim Absolute Zero. Cus he has always had a special place in my heart. 

I’ll claim Tachyon.  

I'll take Unity, then.

Of those not claimed, Wraith/Bunker/Legacy in order of preference. And GDoc updated to reflect everything so far.

I'll take last pick, so Phantom, Arceus has decreed that your two preferences are both left to you. Which one shall you choose? </end fancilysayingIdon'tcare>

If you're fine with letting Jffdougan have Wraith, which I'm assuming you are.

I think I'll go with... Bunker. I may need some assistance with switching modes and whatnot, but I'll do my best. :)

Bunker is a pain to teach while you are teaching 5 other people the game.

Bunker suit can change modes, which mean it can adapt to situations. If you plan on changing modes you should consider what you want to do next or be creative and come up with weird stuff (I have an example but that might spoil the game). Don't get hung on what you can't do think about what you can do. (His kit has room for some serious BS). You might want to consider taking risky actions ( pages 8) to use his yellow ability (or not, none of my bunker players has so far)). 

Read up on him, it might take a while for it all to make sense. You can create a different forum post if you have questions.  I or someone will answer it. 

I've already been reading through both Bunker's booklet and the Game Guide. I was more refering to mid-game, if I just wasn't sure if a certain action was possible or not.

Well, there are only five action types, and each mode is very specific about which types are prohibited in each mode, so it should be pretty straightforward. I don’t think that aspect is any more complicated than anyone else. Strategy is tough with him, though.

All,

The game thread is now open at https://greaterthangames.com/forum/topic/pbf-sentinels-starter-kit-11151

We can continue to use this thread for out of character plotting, but the action begins there.

Also, to make life easier, we should probably hand off to whoever wants to go next, rather than specifically select someone unless there's a good reason.

Twists can be selected when they come up, rather than waiting, although I reserve the right to change them if necessary. I'll put up some environmental suggested ones here where applicable.

Just so I know, did we designate what site/program we're using for rolls?

We did not. I am fine with the honour method, but if people want to use a die-roller, we can certainly do that. Some suggestions occurred earlier in the thread.

Also, for expectation management, I'm in the UK, so it's likely the heroes will all get their goes, then the villains and environment will catch up during my day.

I to am in the UK. Will start posting in the IC thread tomorrow when I am not on my phone.

I shall be using orcos dice roller(until told to do otherwise) I like it and is easy to link and share and the log is tamper proof supposedly.

Oh jeeze, we got the attention of Christopher. I'm suddenly nervous about playing. :P

Its fine as long as Absolute Zero gets beat up on a load they will be happy :P

Aah, you started right after the last time I checked in yesterday....

Ok, guys, first action scene. At present everything is green.

I split the posts up as it seemed there were 4 distinct locations around the city, so each section should be independent.

Some suggested twists:

Minor:

Looking for food: Knock over apower line and hinder the heroes

Unstable City: Building oieces fall to damge the heroes.

Major:

Dangers of Rescue Work: Gas line explodes dealing lots of damage to one hero, or some to everyone in the scene.

Swarming the Citizens: Robots imperiling citizens who need to be rescued.

I have applied the hinder to the entire roll which is how the rules seem to be intended or have I missed an explanation of an edge case somewhere. Anyway I have the log so can be changed if needed. 

DemiHer0,

That is certainly my understnding. It applies to the next roll and then goes away unless its persistent, which these aren’t.

Just making sure: If you make an attack while hindered, the hinder takes away from your damage roll. Correct?

That is my understanding, certanly.

On my action I didn’t add the Hinder into as it made no difference to the result I had.   I assume the hinder for thta is used up too.  

Awesome.

Also, just to clarify it: This style of text is when Vance is speaking through the Bunker Suit.

Pwatson, do you mind if we roll resistance for enemy minions ourselves when we attack them? It’ll be faster and make for more entertaining/smoother narration.

I thought of a new name for Dump-Bot. How about Mechan-Ant?

@Lord Flash Fire:  Technically you could roll a Boost check to try to counter a Hinder–but the act of rolling that check would itself be penalized by, and use up, the Hinder.  It's really only useful to try to save other heroes, or for persistent Hinders.

Can we try to keep rules and other meta-discussion to this thread, please?

Nice, but he'll get a real name when he earns it.  Right now he has been objectively worthless, and I have the animated ball of lint to prove it.

I'm sorry, I hadn't posted in a while, because I've ended up revising my (like, 2?) posts at least 3 times apeice, and then forgetting about them and letting a day go by before I end up revising them again, because by then the circumstances have changed. I need to get better about that. Anyway, that makes a lot of sense. Thanks.

@pwatson1974 that’s good. Is a nifty little rules interaction that means AZ whilst hindered is worse at hurting himself.

Putting down heath ratings when they've been affected and such is alright though, right?

Edit: Spacing needed fixing

Not just alright. I would actively encourage that.

Also, MindWanderer, that is a good idea.

So, you're fighting d6 Minion spider bots. With the exception of one fighting AZ which is reduced to a d4. Have fun smashing them, heroes.

Gonna take me a bit before I'm in a good IC character post position. Need to get my digital files moved to something I can access regardless, and I have company all week this week.

PowerHound, to answer the question, you're only hindering one bot. Which would you like?

The one closet to me so I can likely strike them the following round.  

Although if I may add a strategic comment, you could have used Hypersonic Assault, which would not only have hindered the whole group, it would have also damaged them.

Also don’t forget you have Nimble Strike. Not quite sure how to use that in PBF format, but it’s a very powerful option for her.

I didn’t want to use Hypersonic Assault initially because I was hindered and since this was more of a surprise trying to judge the situation using that ability made more sense from a RP perspective to me.   My plan this round is to nimble strike or Hypersonic depending upon what happens next.  

Nimble Strike is a Reaction you use on the enemy turn. You can use it in addition to anything else you do on your own turn.

I certainly support non-optimal choices for RP reasons, though.

I mean I am just waiting to see how much damage the robots do to me this turn. If its enough to put me in the yellow I am totally taking a minor consequence to  Thermal Shockwave away my problems...

I will likely do that on their next set of attacks.  

Hmm... I'm thinking that we should start reiterating what round it is and whose turns are still left each time we post.  It's kind of hard to keep track.  As near as I can tell, it's round 1 and everyone but Legacy has gone, right?

Yes. Still round 1, and only Legacy needs to go.

That is where I place us.

Also, to confirm, Tachyon is hindering the attacking robot.

Correct and it should be expected I’ll do a nimble strike when it attacks.  

So, minor twist idea. (Sorry for not being on until now. school, ugh.) Legacy accidentally punches through the top of the building the spider bots are on and interrupts a business meeting. As he's apologizing, one of the spider bots attacks him from above, damage equal to Max die?

Possible, but you only get twists on Overcome actions. If you're just attacking, you should be safe.

EDIT: Also, for future reference, if you want to have a twist, go for it and I'll edit if necessary. I do not think it should be necessary in most cases, though.

Round 2!  This would be going a whole lot better if I could roll to save my freaking life.

I'm actually rolling pretty well so far. :D

I just wish there was some way that I could move a little faster so I could get to you guys. Big old robot suit is cool, but it isn't very fast. :/ Hmmmm...

It wouldn't work if(after I'm done fighting, of course) I moved over to Utility Mode using Satelite-Based Mode Shift, gave myself a boost(example: Jump-Jets), and then rolled an Overcome to use that and jump over to one of the other 'areas' you guys are in, would it?

I am going to hold back on acting this round until after the robits have acted. We do not want a 1 two combo round. 

I’m waiting on the robots to so I can react with a nimble strike unless you want me to resolve the roll for that in advance. 

@Demiber0: They can’t 1-2 combo us. For one, that only works when there’s two groups of enemies (or a complicit environment) to hand off to each other. And I’m not sure it makes sense in PBF “first come, first served” format.

@Powerhound: with your +4 boost, you could probably wipe out your whole group before they can even act… or at least hinder the whole bunch into uselessness, plus have a guaranteed kill on the one that tries to damage you.

When did I get a +4 boost?

edit:  I see it now.   Missed that in the post.  

Unity just gave you one.

Edit: heh, too fast.

Edit 2: Boosts and Hinders apply to the whole roll, not just one part of its effect (unless that’s something Dave forgot to say in the rulebook again).

Sorry if it feels to anyone like I’m backseat strategizing. I figure both the system and this format are new to everyone. I promise I’ll cut down on it in future issues.

Any suggestions on my plan?

That part isn’t clear to me.  If it is then my attack is a five but my hinder wouldn’t change as my min and mid die are what matters.  

So my logic as shoestring as they may be was that they can 1-2 combo if they act last in the round and then act first in the round as the DM chose who goes first in that case... that I am saying pwatson  would hammer us for our mistakes or anything... 

I’m not sure it’s needed right now.   We should be able to regroup once this conflict is over.  

I don’t see any issue with one player going last to avoid this.   I have a reaction I can use even during their turn so at least for my character I’m not as concerned and if the boost is for all the dice rolled it may not matter for Unity and Tachyon at least. 

Apologies all. Been stuck in hospital all day. Hope to get out in time to post something tonight.

No worries we are still doing some of our own planning and confirmation anyways as my turn is possibly different if a boost impacts all the dice rolled not just one.  

You're right, it's not at all clear.  My understanding was based on the fact that the rules say that modifiers disappear "after the roll," which would imply that they are in effect for the entire roll.  This makes more sense for Hinders, since you don't have a choice whether to apply them--if you have a Hinder, you're Hindered--and I assume Boosts work exactly the same way.  However, it's a good question for a developer, so I've created a thread for it and some other questions this made me think of (or made me realize I was making assumptions about).

I will await the rsolution of the Boost debate and what effect that has before doing Tachyion and Unity. The others I'll get to now.

Thanks for waiting, we have an answer now (which is not at all what I was expecting): Modifiers apply to one effect die, and the character who created the mod decides what effect to apply it to.  So Unity is going to choose to apply it to the damage roll in this case, making it 5 damage (and still a -2 Hinder to whatever survives).

In addition, Powerhound can decide to apply the penalty Tachyon created to the minion's save--which seems like a good idea to me, as that will make it automatically destroyed (needs to roll a 5 on 1d6-2).

That answer makes the most sense. It involves the least holding numbers in your head / maths in general. So I need to up date my HP with a -2. Glad we have an answer. :)

Pwatson, is the damage you show me before or after Fortitude?

Sorry, I missed this, but no.  Not even the GM can choose the same enemy group to go twice in a row (unless they're Rule 0'ing it for some reason).  The only way the enemies can get consecutive turns is if there are at least two enemy groups and they go Group 1, Group 2, Group 1.

Lord Flash Fire, before. As with the non-damage to the Wraith’s, I break down any modifiers I’m using and will tend to not mention permanent modifiers on the player’s side.

Or enemy and environment which can work as a really heavy punch, albeit one I’m really unlikely to use in this format.

@Mindwanderer I missed the except clause my bad. Have reread the gamebook on my commute today. Hopefully more of it stuck in my head this time.

Now to realign some modules

Note my turn has been updated.  Dealing all targets 5 damage and hindering them with a -1 for their next attack roll. 

Amended Bot description to account for the hypersonic assault.

Also stop being so mean to the poor little spider bots. They only want some love. And possibly metal. Oh, and electricity.

Would they accept energy blasts?

I will have you know I have failed spectacularly at killing bots so far. I have only managed to chip away at them. I have definitely been showing kindness

Demiher0, I believe you and I are finishing round 2, not starting a new one,correct me if I'm wrong.

You are correct

Two reminders:

1) You guys are rolling for the minions when you hit them to speed things up.

2) You can't tag yourself for the next go, even if we're starting a new round.

And a clarification:

When you're using a power that says "using a quality" it's still the standard roll 3 dice action. So Legacy's latest action wasn't done correctly and would need a status and powers dice as well, probably Vitality for the latter as you're inspiringthem to keep fighting.

We want to let LFF roll that Galvanize again before anyone else goes, then?

I wasn’t going to use it anyway (nothing to attack, and Overcome when you have a massive penalty is a bad idea).

Powerhound, feel free to not use the bonus I have you until later, if you want to try to join the others to help them. Unity doesn’t really have that option, so she’s staying put.

My bad. I had heard something somewhere (ah, credibility.) about only using one die, but it seems I am mistaken. Also, if I am rolling for the minions, then Hinder Bot should be dead, as I pointed out here:

Just a mistake, or did I miss something?

I’ll get right on redoing it.

The bots are interchangable. You killed the webbing bot and the previously boosting bot took over its role.

Ohkay. I think I get it. Thanks, I'll get back to typing.

Did I apply Galvanize correct? It applies +2 to my damage result, correct?

Another reminder:

Everyone has 2 gained hero points, one from AZ in the montage and one just now from Tachyon.

Sentinels Drinking Game-

Rule 1: Take a shot every time anyone other than Unity says Sparks. Take 2 shots of something way stronger instead if it’s also used as an exclamation or comment by itself.

I don't think that's quite what they had in mind for #bringdeborahback. 

2 things:

1)Can someone check I have used the boosts and hinders properly on my post? Think I have but just want to make sure. 

2) I am not going to bother rolling for d4 minions if only because it seems pointless when you hit them for more than there max die roll. Are we ok with this?

You don’t roll for d4 minions anyway as they’re destroyed by a successful attack, d4 lieutenants on the other hand…

Thank for the reminder Blue, that's what I have been doing at my table for d4 minions. I think I worded it poorly I meant for minions in general eg when you smack a d8 minion for 12. Shouldn't have specified the d4 example. 

Also mixing risky actions with collections is fun... even if I do get a bit wordy.  

Amd also a hero point to everyone for overcoming with cold.

Pwatson, can you tell us what the result of Tachyon’s inspection of the fallen bot revealed? Unity’s further actions are dependent on that.

Tachyon hasn’t examined the robots. She dealt with the power line last round and searched for the injured this one. Unless I missed something.

Oh, you’re right, I misread that. Unity will do that, then.

Edit: at least, she would if I could roll to save my life.

Ugh. I'm having a really rough last couple days. Will try to get my turn taken tomorrow (Thursday).

Demiher0, are you still in the used-to-be burning building, or are you in the building I accidentally put the hole in the roof? I can't tell that you've moved, but the hole in the roof sounds like the one I made. A little clarification, please? Also, I'd be glad to give you a lift.

Oh yeah sorry no I have not moved. Still in the basement of the burned-out husk. I forgot you had added a new skylight to the local offices of Businessperson inc.

@MIndWanderer

Just making sure, did Unity say the bots were a technology mix over the comlinks, or did she only say that to Tachyon?

Sorry, I should have made that clear. Over the comlinks.

Ah, okay then. I'll edit my response if need be. Thank you. :)

@jffdougan

Would we know where the Megacomputer is currently set up? I'll come to help you out, but I gotta know where I'm heading first.

I would think so...?

Sorry, I've had a rough last couple weeks between being sick & getting to appear in court today because an ex-employer is suing me for money.

Can someone cover my bots while I go help AbZ? Just look for the Businessperson Inc building with the "new skylight".

I'll see what I can do about Legacy's bots, Tachyon want to help out Wraith? I can probably spot the building easy from my location.

And good luck to you, jffdougan. I hope your court troubles pass.

Here's the article that showed up in the newspaper where the school is, though it leaves out some of the things that wouldn't be newpaper-able:

http://www.pjstar.com/news/20180208/quest-charter-academy-sues-teachers-for-quitting-early

I filled in my Overcome roll. :)

Beyond the bots attacking Wraith are there any left I can shoot with ICE BEAMS whilst being carried by Legacy? 

The ones that .bunker just glitterbombed and were formally attacking Legacy are still around.

I think I get why my friends like me running games… I can't roll dice to give me nice things be they virtual or physical to save my life   .

To answer Mindwanderer in the main thread, there are three or four robots left, depending on whether the Wraith took hers down. 2 d4s on Legacy and Absolute Zero and  2 d6s on the Wraith (or less if she’s destroyed one).

That hinder on a minion save will apply to one of Wraith's d6 bots, then.

Can Bunker fire on one of the bots now, or are they too far away/going through the actual building?

They are on the outside of the building. You can take a shot for a minor twist to represent the extreme range.

So I’m a bit lost are we actually in a new round or not?   It seems like two different rounds got combined with Jffdougan updating his post.  

We’re in a new round. Feel free to tear my poor little innocent spider bits to pieces you cruel thing.

How many Spider Bots are there so I can roll their saves?

2 vs Legacy and Wraith (d4 and d6 which has a hinder on ints next save)

2 vs Absolute Zeron and Bunker (both d4)

Sorry for the quietness. Life has been a bit hecktic recently, but I made sure to reply on the game thread this morning.

pwatson, can we just hand-wave the rest of this fight and move on?  AZ and Bunker cannot fail to destroy the remaining bots before they can do any more damage.

I have no problem with that, but Bunker or AZ might want to show off in blowing stuff up. If nothing's happened by my Saturday morning, so people have today and tomorrow to act, I'll wrap it up.

Active opponents:

Big Spider: d10 defence

Cocooned spiders-bots: d6 defence (+2 persistent bonus while they're protected by their cocoons)

Horde of spider-bots: d6 defence

Obviously there are quite a number of overcome actions that can be taken as well.

How does everyone feel about their health? I think either all of us should stop off for healing or none of us, otherwise whoever does show up is going to take a pounding.

I’m fine either way. Unity’s just barely in the yellow, which isn’t great for her since she has a lower status die and no bot-creating abilities in that tier, but she’s not close to defeat.

Tachyon is at the edge of Green so I think that’s fine for continuing here as once I hit yellow I have more potent attacks to use.  

Just in case clarification: You can still use Green abilities while you're in Yellow, so apart from health, you're no worse off

I should be fine. I do enjoy flickering between green and yellow zone. Which does also lead to better zapping of spiders.

I know, but Unity benefits less from being in Yellow status than other heroes, especially at the beginning of a scene, because her good setup abilities (Golem-Spawn and Hasty Augmentation) are green anyway, and she gets a smaller die. Flash Forge and Volatile Parts are completely useless at the start of a scene when she has no existing bots, and Brainstorm is a one-shot with no lasting benefits.

I think the Wraith is good to go.

Bunker is on the last tick of Green, so he should be fine to continue on.

I think if Unity wanted to get healing thean we can afford it as long as the majority of us continue on to the tree.

Nah, I just wanted to make sure we didn’t split the party. I was ambivalent, but it sounds like everyone else is fine going in, so that’s fine by me.

Nah, I just wanted to make sure we didn’t split the party. I was ambivalent, but it sounds like everyone else is fine going in, so that’s fine by me.

Oh, go on. Split the party. I’m sure it will be fine. What’s the worst that could happen? :-)

That overcome puts us at 4 Hero Points now right or is it 3? 

It’d be 7 if we weren’t capped at 5. Cold, Science, Cold, Gearhead, Tactician, Hero, Cold.

Wellllllllll I missed a fair few of those.....

Also, how are we treating 12+ overcome successes? I get how they work on the table the DM extrapolates out. Here I feel it could be harder to adjudicate. 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but a hero can only generate one Hero Point a session, correct?

You can only acquire 5 per issue but I saw nothing about how many each hero could generate.

As for extremely successful Overcomes, we can either let me deal with them when I find them, so some point during the day, or jut let the p,aters go fr it nd I’ll overrule as necessary. Either works for me.

IIRC, in the full version hero point will be used to detirmine the star of the issue and some other things.  But that could have changed since the last time I heard anything on that.

Ohhh more information on the system at large... colour me interested. 

Question: I want to see about shifting modes with 'Satellite-Based Mode Shift'. As an action, I roll three dice for that, correct? Power Suit, Status, and something from Qualities, right?

I am starting a new game! Ok if interested! 

If there is another PBF Starter Kit winding up I would definately be Interrested Legacy102. Keep me posted on when & where it would be starting, Ok

Phantom, yes. You Boost as ususal for your action and then change mode.

Sorry that one took so long to get out. Wrote in a bit of rp fluff to appologize.

Any problem with me firing on the snipers, GM? And what dice are they?

Yes. You’ll probably break them and I’ll haz a sad.

They’re the cocooned spider bots so d6 with a +2 persistent defence unless you deliberately break out of the cocoon.

FWIW, the Wraith is intending to use the snow speeder ordnance to try to wrap up & take down the really big bot.

I know I said I'd focus on the snipers, but with how the fight's going I'm seriously contemplating just helping take down the big one with you guys since you're doing a great job with it so far. :).

<crickets>

Round 2 has been almost two weeks now.  jffdougan?  Lord Flash Fire?

LordFlashFire, ouch. The dice want that poor girl hurt, don’t they? Even Principle of the Hero doesn’t help there.

I don't know if I can help with the falling girl from my position...

I mean we could just take the major twist... I do enjoy twists... 

I drop everything to try to save the girl, but nooo. I would've fudged the results, but that's not the heroic thing to do.

Unless someone else can with no problem, once the new round starts I'll see about putting in a risky action to get over there and help/catch the girl.

I was going to offer to do the same thing given how I am crapping out all the ice but will let you go first seeing as you can still mitigate your minor twist for doing it with the collection. 

Ok. As this round has been going on for a while, here is a proposal add the following to the rules to resolve it:

If a round has not concluded within a week of commencing, all participants who have not yet acted will be assumed to be taking the Defence action.

I don't want to seem like we're punishing people or taking away their chracter but we also need to get things a bit mroe under control timewise. It will also mean we need to be more clear when a round begins.

What are people's thoughts on this?

I agree with it. Means we don't fall in to story dead zones and lose the flow of what is going on. 

I think it's great. Means you (and everyone active) wouldn't have to wait forever while people are taking too long (like me, I'm sorry about that, that entire time period was a mess) and the inactive players still do something useful.

I’m fine with that ruling.  

Perhaps if they’re using it on a hero other than themselves–say, the hero with the lowest HP? Otherwise it’s likely that, in a hard fight, the last one standing will be the one not participating.

I'm fine with that ruling. Keeps things moving so we don't have too much dead air for the game, resulting in loss of interest.

And more pronounced Round Starts can only be more helpful.

Ah, I can do that? I have to re-read Risky Actions and Collection usage.

But yeah, I'll see what I can do.

Yah Collections can be used to do 1 of 3 things

1. Mitigate a minor twist
   2)Set a die to any value you want
2. Establish a fact that is definitely true about the scene with no risk.

Thinking about it legacy could have done that to save the girl…

If nothing changes by tomorrow, is everyone ok with declaring the Wraith dodging for Defence and I'll move us on to another round?

I'd still prefer she defend the hero with the lowest HP (Tachyon at the moment, if I'm not mistaken, at 13 HP), but as long as something attacks her I don't suppose it matters--she's negating damage someone would be taking anyway.  She does have a +2 exclusive, persistent, unnamed bonus from herself that she can use.  She also has a +2 Dust Screen bonus from me, but the way this is going, I'll reserve that for something more productive (I can always scrap it to upgrade a bot if nothing else).

I'm fine with continuing.

Round closed. New round started. Rules updated.

Round closed. New round started.

So when I reduced one bot and attracted the attention of another, is the other the same die size as the reduced bot (2 d4s) or the die size that its friend used to be (1d4 & 1d6)? I interpereted it as the former, but I need to make sure.

One of each. I’ll correct the record.

There shouldn’t be any bot focused on me since I destroyed the last one that hit me using Nimble Strike as a reaction

Arrrgh. Missed that. Remembered one survived the assault, forgot you’d killed it. Correctig again.

The rules don't seem to say anything about discarded or destroyed bonuses needing to be thematically related to their usage (and Omni-Blast suggests they don't have to), so I used a bit of creative writing to make a cohesive narrative there.

How much damage did i take after my last post? I'll edit my post in-game once I'm told/I figure it out.

7. 4 from the melee bot and 3 from the sniper. This is after your armour takes effect.

So both those attacks started at 6 and 5, since my armor reduces each attack down by 2?

In that case, 5. Thought it was only -1 like Legacy.

They both scale depending on health/environment zone -1 green, -2 yellow, -3 red. As things get worse they get better.

If I was still in Yellow Status, then my armor is +2. If it was Red, then it's +3.

Yellow at the time. Now red

Just so I'm fully sure, my health is at 10 now?

Round closed. New round started

Things are looking rough.  

I’s always darkest just before it goes pitch black.

Thats comforting........

Okay, we need a plan.

We've found AA and destroyed the Spider Dropship, but we still need to find a way to take down this gigantic hoard.

We theoretically only have a few rounds left before the scene ends an Akash Flora is seriously and quite possibly irriversibly damaged.

Brainstorm time. Anyone have any ideas before we continue?

I’m out for a round but I’m guessing that either Unity or Tachyon (even together perhaps) could come up with an EMP of sorts to disable the remaining bots. 

Bunker could most def do an EMP burst as well, using an Overcome of some kind rolling power suit and Ranged combat or some such. Or would that be a hinder roll, Mr. GM? I could see about shifting modes as well so the roll would have a better shot, no matter what kind of roll it turns out being.

Just incase the EMP won't work though, did we ever figure out who/what's controlling all these things?

I don’t think that we have beyond knowing it’s a mish mash of technologies. 

pwatson: There's a hint we're supposed to get when the scenario tracker hits red.

Without that, I personally feel this scenario could have been written better.  Having read it, I know what we're supposed to do, but it requires a leap in logic that doesn't make a ton of sense to me.

Ah, I see. Well, we could see about someone trying to connect-the-dots, but I think we're at a point where we neet to go for a more direct approach. Unless we have someone that can still use their collection? I still have it, but I won't be able to use a principle to get the best possible result on a tech roll...

Hint has been added to the round ticker description.

Defeating the Horde would be an Overcome action. As would dismantling the transmitter in the mothership carcass.

Haha we posted at the same time pwatson... I am not changing it though. Because I am stubborn :P 

MindWanderer, could i get an overcome challenge using Technology to determine how much you recognise from the shattered components?

Once the montage scene is concluded, we can move onto the next chapter. Everyoen will be fully restored and have Freedom Five #801 in their collections.

Tachyon can’t try a science overcome as well?

Sure,  but MindWanderer had Unity specifically looking through the wreckage for stuff, while Tachyon was in the hospital with Argent, which is why I specifically referred to them doing it.

Can I provide a boost over the comms rolling for Principle of Science?

Yes.

Since I’m not sure where you’re going with this that we haven’t learned already, I’ll post the result here: Robotics 7, Insight 6, Yellow 4, using Principle of the Gearhead (man, that’s an easy principle for Unity to qualify for), with Tachyon’s +2 boost is a 9, complete success.

(Incidentally, Principles only apply to the Overcome action, not Boost, but it doesn’t change the result.)

I think we've had enough time for the montage. Onto the next issue.

Before we proceed, is everyone still in? We’ve had a number of skipped turns and I’d like to make sure everyone who’s signed up is still interested in continuing.

Also, anyone interested in switching characters? I have a good feel for Unity now, and while she’s fun and I’m happy to keep playing her, if anyone else wants to rotate, I’d be interested in doing that too.

I'm in; I just didn't feel like I had anything to add for the montage.

I’m still in and fine with playing Tachyon

I am in and enjoying freezing things. 

I'm still here. I was out of my home state without access to a computer, and I didn't have much to add into the montage anyway.

So we have the opening scene for the next issue any particular plans?

Hmm. I'm too big in-suit to get in. Should I get out of the suit and follow you guys in, or should I wait outside?

Decisions, decisions. Split the party or go in underpowered? All going according to plan. Mwah-ha-ha-haaaaaa!!! :-)

Does this house have a garage?

Is there a way I can use the resources on the jet to scan the house before the team enters?

Yes. Give me a hook to hang it on in the main thread and I’ll give somebasic stuff. If you want details, I’d like an Overcome check. Feel free to get the basics before you decide if you want to fine tune things

As a side item we never discussed what kind of bonuses we get from our hero points in the first issue.   

Good catch.  I'll take a +2 and a +3.

I’ll do similar. 

Just to jump on the bandwagon I shall take the +2 & +3

Rules Note:

As long as you're fighting inside the house, including firing into it, Attack and Overcome Actions have a -2 penalty as you try to avoid collateral damage.

Twists that cause collateral damage are encouraged, with the GM reserving the right to insist on them if necessary.

I've got stuff ramping up for end-of-term, and have barely had time to think most of this week. I think I need to sit this issue out, as it's not likely to let up until the end of next month.

No problem. Thanks for letting us know. The Wraith will sit in the Freedom jet until she leaps into action at the most dramatic point later. I’ll adjust enemies accordingly.

Ugh, late again. I'm still in, and I swear I'm going to try and be better with my content and consistency. If I go by a week without posting, count my position as open, I don't deserve to play if I'm just going to hold you guys up. However, I'm going to keep that from happening b/c I will be more active. I'm sorry for the inconvenience I may have caused.

Round 1: Status Green

All the illusory demons in the house are d6 minions.

Alright, let's do this. 

That Overcome was to close off the rest of the house, right? Not to Ice-Slide the beasts out?

I thought he was trying to do both

That’s what I took it as. There are probably a dozen biting slashing demons in the hall but they can’t get at you all at once.

The overcome was to close off the rest of the house yes.

Getting the 12+ meant I could add an extra effect to the scene/ a bonus. I couldn't think of a better choice than giving the +2 to the next overcome canceling out the -2 for a roll.  Just gave it some narrative set dressing with the ice floor. The book said I could do it.

Alright. Just wnated to be sure so I don't start shooting early.

Does this mean the demons are forced outside?

Not yet. You can lead them out if you like.

Powderhound you had an extra +2 to your roll from my overcome action which put you at a so if you wanted to save your +3 for later and only use your +2 it would get you the same effect and save the +3 for the griblys? 

7 requires a minor twist.  Unless you are saying you are providing an additional benefit.  

Yeah. I rolled a 12. That gives you extra effect. I couldn't think of a better use for it so just gave the next to use an overcome action a +2 due to the ice slide. 

The logic there is so they wouldn't suffer from the collateral damage -2 mod to make life kinder on the banisters/grandfather clocks. 

Am I getting this horribly wrong? If so I need to reassess some things. 

So, are the beasties outside or not? That info changes what I'll be doing on my turn.

Yes. Tachyon has successfully led some of them out. The others are coming but there’s only one front door.

New round.

Status still green.

There are 8 demons currently slavering on the lawn. 2 are also smoldering and beginning to fade away.

So with those last rolls I fully expect Tachyon is due for some rolls that mean I have major or minor twists coming. 

Question: will the montage scene get rid of the -3 hinder I had on myself, since I'm cooling down the Riot Cannon?

Yes. You can also heal up before we go further in.

Cool. I left the suit in Maintinance Mode, so that works out just fine.

Everyone ready for a quick trip into the Void?

Sure as long as my absense for eating counts towards getting healed. 

I am sure my envirosuit can handle it...

Let's do it to it.

Had a conversation with Lord Flash Fire and with finals he doesn’t think he can give the game the attention he feels it deserves for a few weeks. So Legacy is also staying behind in the Freedom Jet and the remaining four of you are heading  Void.

Will post for that when I get access to a proper keyboard.

We're currently in the Green Zone.

Dark Bunker is a d10 minion.

You need to find the cause of the rtouble in Ravenswood, reach it in the shifting environment of the Void and finally prevent it from continuing to be a problem.

Round 2.

Still in Green.

Dark Tachyon is currently a d6 minion.

Why did Bunker hit Dark Bunker when he was already gone?

I didn't notice your post til after I posted that. It was late last night when I did it.

Well... are we done here, then?  I was the only player to post within a week of the round starting, with Demiher0 posting on the 8th day.  Can't really play the game with only one or two players contributing.

I feel like I keep stealing the show recently so I was hoping for others to finish off the latest Void clone. 

You can still do something to try to get us over to the floating city.

Maybe we do have to call it.

Sorry. I've been at UK Games Expo for the last few days and haven't had a chance to catch up. However, yeah, it is looking like at best we need to postpone until Lord Flashfire and jffdougan can contribute to avoid just two players having to carry ewverything.

Not later than the end of the month. School wrapped last week, and I've got one more week that's a little nuts as I get ready for a 2-week PD conference. But, I can likely pick things back up once said conference starts.

And you can count me back in. Thank God for summer :) Even though it's raining pretty crazy here right now.

Shall we restart from tomorrow (23rd) or next weekend (30th)? Which works better for people?

I've just gotten back in from the fortnight of travel, so I probably won't be ready tomorrow, but likely would be mid-week.

Aaaaaannnnnd we're back. Abnormal service is resumed. Go get 'em, heroes.

I’m not clear on the situation now. Did we lose sight of our objective? Are further Overcomes necessary to get back on track? Visionary never told us what we’re looking for or what we’re supposed to do when we find it, so I’m a bit lost now.

The tracker is pinging towards the pyramid that was a crystal that was a city, so is connected to Dark Tachyon, and presumably the thing you're here to confront/stop.

As for the current situation: The tracker's pinging one way, Dark Tachyon and Dark Legacy are on the bridge with you. The tracker, and Unity's flying monkeys, are pointing out into the void. So definite location to get to, less sure how you'll do it, but the Void is malleable so I'm sure you'll find a way.

MindWanderer,

Was it intentional that we ended up with a roc made from a road of rock? Or alternativly a roc-y road? Necause if so that’s genius and if not its still accidental genius.

Man, I wish I could take credit for that, but no, the pun never occurred to me. Nice.

If Dark Legacy intercepted my reaction then I would hit both Dark Tachyon and Dark Legacy meaning Dark Tachyon is still gone.