http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/tags/space Gaming Outpost Discussions » Tag: space - Recent Posts en-US Thu, 24 May 2012 11:08:28 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/search.php http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9389 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 22:42:53 +0000 M. J. Young 9389@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>John has moved the game to a new thread, because he was having trouble posting here. The new thread is <em><a href="http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/terrraterraterranova">TerraTerraTerranova</a></em>.</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9369 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:58:17 +0000 JohnA1nut 9369@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p><em>So when is my next OkyDoky improvement?</em></p> <p>"Lauren, Hey, how's it going? Yeah, let's do it."</p> <p><em>I know there's no way my character can tell Lauren this, but I want to learn the @1 skills first.</em> </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9362 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:25:45 +0000 M. J. Young 9362@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p><em>Skill improvements happen over the course of months. Since yesterday was the day after your martial arts class and six days before the next, today is five days before the next.</em></p> <p>Everything seems pretty routine. Lauren stops by your job in the morning to find out when you have lunch and whether you want to use that hour to get together with her and Derek to try to share some skills.</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9352 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:00:54 +0000 JohnA1nut 9352@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p><em>I checked this out. All of the magazines for all of the guns are fully loaded. To quote Hank Hill's father "You don't give a kid a toy without batteries!!" The other thing is that the Ruger P-89 has 15 bullets, not 16. You never store a loaded gun with a round in the chamber. To quote Uncle Bob "The extra time it takes you to chamber a round is worth not accidentally shooting yourself in the foot." Also, I would have the 100 round drum in the MAK 90. All magazines loaded.</em></p> <p>Skip to the next day I guess. What's going on? Work? Martial arts classes? Any skill improvements anywhere? </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9336 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 01:39:09 +0000 M. J. Young 9336@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p><em>No, you asked whether it was like sleeping a full night, and I said it wasn't, it was more like fainting and being revived.&nbsp; Also, Lauren has reached the point where she enters a world fully awake, and thus never having blacked out at all.&nbsp; That's Stage 4.</em></p> <p><em>I have been tracking your time in twenty-five day blocks, but I think that makes this the fifty-first day since your first lesson. You get lessons once a week, starting with day 1, so yesterday must have been your most recent class (the fiftieth day), and you are six days out from the next.</em></p> <p><em>This is the equipment sheet I have; I have not yet applied the adjustments you just made, but remind me to do so and I will make the changes after you've verified this:</em></p> <blockquote><p>1 school backpack weight 1 pound<br /> 1 school duffle bag weight 1 pound<br /> 1 luggage style duffle bag, weight 1 pound</p> <p>1 14 inch hunting knife, black nylon sheath with 2 carrying pouches. Inside one pouch is a Leatherman multi-tool, (pliers, 3 flathead screwdrivers, 1 Phillips screwdriver, blade, can opener, two-sided file and awl punch) 12 sewing needles and 3 small spools of thread. The other pouch contains a magnesium fire starting tool, 1 BIC cigarette lighter, fishing line, fishing sinkers and several fishhooks. Wrapped around the knife sheath is 15 feet of high-tensile black nylon cord. total weight approximately 4 pounds<br /> 1 tool box, red painted steel sheet metal, containing complete ratchet set, 2 ratchets, 12 screwdrivers, 2 pair of regular pliers, 2 pairs needle-nose pliers, 1 pair vice grips, 1 soldering iron, 1 solder removal tool, 1 roll of solder, 2 pairs wire cutters, 2 crescent wrenches, 1 hatchet, 1 claw hammer, 1 box of 3 inch nails, 2 rolls duct tape, 1 utility knife with 4 changeable razor blades, leather work gloves, a complete set of Allen wrenches, 2-AA battery flashlight, voltmeter, wood saw, multi-tipped screwdriver, complete set of wrenches. weight, approximately 25 pounds.<br /> 100 feet high tensile white nylon cord, weight 1 pound, cut in two pieces ~30' and ~70'<br /> 1 21 speed all-terrain mountain bicycle, with security chain and combination lock, weight approximately 15 pounds<br /> 1 complete first-aid kit weight 1 pound has tweezers, over 100 band-aids, several gauze pads, an instant ice pack, surgical tape, rubber gloves, instruction book<br /> 1 dynamo flashlight (shake it to charge, no batteries needed) weigh 1/2 pound<br /> 1 dynamo radio (crank to charge, no batteries needed) and black nylon carrying case with strap. radio receives AM, FM, audio to TV frequencies 2-13, 7 weather bands. It is equipped with an LED flashlight, siren, and hazard signal flasher. It can also be used to charge a cell phone battery weight 1 pound<br /> 1 Marlin 22 caliber rifle, 18 round capacity, 2,000 rounds 22 ammunition. total weight, approximately 10 pounds, reload 0:60<br /> 1 can opener weight approximately 1/2 pound heavy duty crank type<br /> 1 aluminum baseball bat, weight approximately 1 pound<br /> 5 BIC cigarette lighters, 15 packs of cigarettes (enjoy them while they last!!!!) weight 2 pounds<br /> Clothing: 3 pair jeans, 3 tee shirts, 1 heavy winter coat, 2 camouflage army jackets, 3 pairs socks, 3 pairs underwear, 2 pairs flannel pajama pants, 1 black leather belt, 1 purple hoodie sweatshirt, total weight approximately 30 pounds</p> <p>black military combat boots<br /> leather billfold<br /> house keys</p> <p>Ruger P-89 pistol 15 shot magazine +1 chambered 9mm 3# reload (clip) 0:12 RF10 dangerous<br /> 5 boxes 50@ 9mm pistol ammo<br /> 15 round magazine for Ruger -10 rounds P-99<br /> $15.75 money from B Movie Monster World</p> <p>5 magazines 15 round each for 9mm Ruger<br /> Spare 15 round magazine for Ruger, -1 round P-99<br /> Military Surplus Sleeping Bag<br /> Keyring: house key, mailbox key, toolbox key, AND a key that will open standard issue police handcuffs<br /> MAK 90 Russian-made shoots 7.62x39 ammo, low quality detachable bayonet comes with a metal sheath that can be hooked to the bayonet to become a pair of wire cutters, back of bayonet has hacksaw blade as part of the blade, serves as bayonet, fighting knife, wirecutters, and hacksaw, reload 0:24, base lethal RF 30 10':40':80':300':+1/3'<br /> 30-round MAK magazine -17 rounds</p> <p>Utility belt</p> <p>8x30 round MAK magazines<br /> Leatherman multi-tool, (pliers, 3 flathead screwdrivers, 1 Phillips screwdriver, blade, can opener, two-sided file and scissors) (second of these, slightly different) in black nylon case on belt<br /> radio flyer wagon</p> <p>universal gun cleaning kit<br /> three throwing knives<br /> holster for a Ruger P-89, has pouch for single spare clip<br /> two-quart aluminum canteen with canvas case and shoulder strap<br /> New Combat Boots, original SWAT brand, size 13<br /> Hobo Knife, splits with knife and spoon on one half, fork and can opener on the other, fanny pack<br /> 15 BiC lighters, five (one sealed pack) in fanny pack<br /> KABAR, 12 inch Marine (military) fighting/survival knife, black leather sheath.</p> <p>4 gold coins, 1 ounce each, 24K ($3200 original price in B Monster Movie World), fanny pack, say "United We Stand" with a picture of the American flag on one side, and on the reverse the words, "We must all hang together, or surely we will all hang separately.--Benjamin Franklin"<br /> 10 blocks .999 silver, 1 ounce each ($461.00 original price in B Monster Movie World), fanny pack, say "E Pluribus Unum" under a picture of the United States Capitol building, and on the reverse "United States of America" over the image of George Washington.</p> <p>Diamond ring, gold setting, $225 original price (B Monster Movie World), fanny pack<br /> Diamond ring, gold setting, $235 original price (B Monster Movie World), fanny pack<br /> Fanny pack, black leatherette with cloth strap and plastic buckle, on waist</p> <p>Ronco Pocket Fisherman</p> <p>Deck playing cards</p> <p>Ruby, 3 carat (~1cm diameter)<br /> Emerald, 3 carat (~1cm diameter)</p> <p>20# in 4z silver crowns (coins)<br /> +21 crowns 4z each<br /> 2 silver half crowns 2z each<br /> 16 silver leaves 1z from Dancing Princess trees<br /> 32 gold leaves 1z from Dancing Princess trees<br /> 64 shillings, 0.5z nickel<br /> 116 pence, 0.5z bronze</p> <p>4 Jumpsuits, drab green khaki (standard WW2 army) one piece, step into legs, pull shirt up behind you, put arms through sleeves, and button front from fly to collar; twin patch breast pockets, left and right outside pouch pockets above the waist, front and rear hip pockets stitched inside, and a pair of large outside pockets on the upper legs with snap-down flaps on top. sleeve cuffs button, and there are loops for a belt, cuffs on the legs, apparently so the length can be adjusted--or so that if you drop a screw you know where it landed.<br /> 4 pair boxer shorts, army drab<br /> 4 pair socks, army drab<br /> Pair white tennis shoes</p> <p>3 sets medieval clothing<br /> Invisibility cloak M1@3 Active when Worn confers M5@8 Invisibility and M7@3 Penetrate Disguise<br /> Straight Razor<br /> Quiver, 30 quarrel capacity<br /> 19 "Boom Stick" spears, 18 disowned in TerraNova Habitat, one 6' kept, from Dancing Princess<br /> Priest's traveling robes<br /> 3 sets manacles, wrist cuffs covered with rabbit pelts</p> <p>Wristop, a computer with a terrabyte of memory and a terraherz processor that fits on your wrist, displays through a flat screen similar to those on the walls, and can interface with most known systems via internal wireless modem.<br /> 10 Fragmentation grenades, 10':30':60':100':+1/1', fatal 10'r<br /> 10 Glue grenades, 10':30':60':100':+1/1', 10' diameter sphere of glue strands difficult check, additional 10'r simple check to break strands<br /> 1000 rounds 9mm ammo<br /> 1000 rounds MAK90 ammo<br /> MAK 90 clip, 100 round drum, empty<br /> MAK 90 clip, 50 round, empty<br /> MAK 90 clip, 30 round, empty<br /> Smith &#38; Wesson .357 six-shot revolver with 4" barrel and rubber grip<br /> 500 rounds .357 revolver ammo<br /> 3 days worth trail/adventure food. Water is required to prepare these, but some components are ready to eat particularly in the "lunch" packs.<br /> Full-sized synthetic backpack with lightweight polymer frame can carry 240 pounds in a six cubic foot interior , 3'x2'x1', with a maximum enclosed diagonal (for an object running from opposite corners through the center of the pack) of 3'9". It weights 2 pounds<br /> High-tech (Terranova) Crossbow, It's a bottom lever action drawstring and a simple mechanical trigger mechanism to release the string. The frame is a lightweight material, something like plastic but extremely hard and not at all flexible. The bow is obviously a different material, flexible, only about twelve inches across but with tremendous draw power when pulled back. Quarrels sit in the track in a drop-in loading system, and there are clips along the right side to hold five quarrels for ready access, point down, fletching up. There is a flip-up cross-hair a pin sighting system that is calibrated for range and gravity. The drawstring seems to be a synthetic spider web. The bow twists ninety degrees, folds down, and slides parallel beneath the stock, making the entirey device twenty-seven inches long, three inches at the widest point, and five inches top to bottom. RF1, 20':50':100':150':+2/3'<br /> 100 Chlorine water purification pills, one pill per 2.5 gallons/10 liters normal contamination water<br /> 120 Crossbow Bolts, hunter heads, polymer shank and fletching<br /> Plastic Ground Cloth, green, 6'x5'<br /> 35 platinum ingots, 2z each<br /> 80 gold ingots, 2z each<br /> 2 Spidersilk Crossbow Strings<br /> 100' 2000# test spidersilk rope, 1/2" diameter, 4#<br /> 4 skeins synthetic yarn<br /> 2 pairs metal knitting needles<br /> 3 Speedloaders for .357 revolver<br /> Collapsible .22 rifle with 6-bullet clip, barrel slides into stock, can't fire without extending barrel; rear of stock folds down and up flush over trigger guard, latching in place to either position; clip inserts into rear portion of stock, can be kept in place, but gun will not operate unless fully opened. 0:30 to open gun fully. Uses standard .22 ammo. Barrel does not unscrew but telescopes, slightly wider in diameter in extended end than in stock (shortens range). Think of it in three sections. Center section has trigger mechanism and chamber; stock folds around to cover this, partly hollowed, also has part of feed mechanism to hold bullets and feed them to chamber when in open position. Barrel pops out from other side. Completely collapsed it approaches rectangular, barrel extension flush with side and other side has two relatively flat surfaces (bulge on rear stock meets indentation on the central section, pressure interlocks mechanisms, released by lever on underside). Release button beneath barrel unlatches lower section and allows barrel extension to slide out. It does not store spare ammo. Each section is about fifteen inches in total length, barrel extension shorter (has to stop before the hammer mechanism and have an inch or so inside when fully extended). 48" tip to back. Folded, 15"x~8"x~1.5-2", not perfectly squared in any direction. Floats in water, constructed almost entirely of polymers and plastics with some metal parts, made for survivalist use. lightweight, #3. Does not fire folded because ammo supply is in rear stock, partly intended as safety feature, to prevent weapon from firing when stowed. </p></blockquote> <p><em>These things are listed as having been removed:</em><br /> <blockquote>20 steel quarrels, imitation metal fletching, ranges in crossbow 3:9:15:30:+1/30' (1:3:5:10:+1/10 yards), lethal, trashed in TerraNova Habitat<br /> 150 wooden quarrels, steel heads, ranges in crossbow 12:45:90:240:+5/12' (4:15:30:80:+5/4 yards), damaging, sold in TerraNova Habitat<br /> lever &#38; latch crossbow T3@1 8 pounds maximum range for the wooden arrows 80 yards, and maximum range for the metal arrows 10 yards. I don't remember the damage categories, except that the metal arrows were one step above the wooden arrows. Sold, TerraNova Habitat<br /> </blockquote> <em>On my sheet they show with a strikethrough font, so that if I need to reference them later they won't be gone forever.</em></p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9318 Sun, 15 Feb 2009 23:46:04 +0000 JohnA1nut 9318@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>Two Posts</p> <p><em>I'm just putting this down every so often, so I don't lose it.</em></p> <p>Backpack<br /> Kabar knife<br /> 14 inch hunting knife, and everything that comes with it.<br /> Ronco pocket fisherman<br /> S/W .357 magnum, loaded<br /> 250 rounds .357 ammo<br /> three 357 speed loaders, loaded.<br /> Ruger P-89 pistol, magazine currently contains 15 shots 9mm<br /> 7 magazines 15 round each for 9mm loaded<br /> 250 rounds boxed 9 mm ammo<br /> 9 mm holster, with the gun and one spare magazine inside.<br /> crossbow, folded up<br /> 30 arrow quiver, loaded with 30 arrows<br /> 6 extra arrows, 5 in the side holder, one loose, head wrapped in 1 inch plastic bag<br /> 1 Pearl Harbor jumpsuit<br /> 100 chlorine tabs<br /> 2 quart canteen<br /> three days food<br /> 10 four ounce silver crowns<br /> 20 two ounce gold pieces<br /> 20 two ounce platinum pieces<br /> 32 1/2 oz shillings (nickel)<br /> 32 1/2 oz pence (bronze)<br /> 5 BIC cigarette lighters (one sealed pack)<br /> 2 glue grenades<br /> 2 fragmentation grenades<br /> The plastic ground tarp that I bought.<br /> Gems, some valuable, some not<br /> Dynamo Flashlight<br /> Two balls of yarn<br /> One set knitting needles<br /> AR-7<br /> One brick (500 rounds) 22 ammo</p> <p>Fanny Pack<br /> Four 4 ounce crowns (Silver)<br /> Five 2 ounce gold pieces<br /> Five 2 ounce platinum pieces<br /> Four 1 ounce gold coins<br /> Ten 1 ounce silver pieces<br /> 32 shillings (nickle)<br /> 32 pence (bronze)<br /> Straight razor<br /> 5 BIC cigarette lighters<br /> Leatherman multitool in black nylon sheath, on the strap<br /> Gems, some valuable, some not.<br /> Diamond ring, gold setting, $225 original price (B Monster Movie World), fanny pack<br /> Diamond ring, gold setting, $235 original price (B Monster Movie World), fanny pack </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9317 Sun, 15 Feb 2009 23:31:05 +0000 JohnA1nut 9317@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p><em>MJ, how can she be so tired? I thought you said that you slept when you versed, so that when you woke up, it was like you had slept a full night.</em> </p> <p>"In my last world, I introduced five hell spawn demons to bullets. I was about to rescue the king and his three daughters, and ended up getting killed by praying. Never would have thought God would give me a nuclear bomb when I prayed for someone to be healed, but that is His doing. Well Lauren, I'll see you tomorrow after work."</p> <p>When is my next Okydoky Smokey class? </p> <p>On my equipment sheet, I need to drop some weight, so I am going to be disowning and selling some things. The scrap dealer (my boss) said that he would buy my wrenches as scrap for 80 credits per KG. I'm disowning the following:</p> <p>containing complete ratchet set,<br /> 2 ratchets,<br /> 12 screwdrivers,<br /> 2 pair of regular pliers,<br /> 2 pairs needle-nose pliers,<br /> 2 pairs wire cutters,<br /> a complete set of Allen wrenches,<br /> complete set of wrenches. </p> <p>1 can opener weight approximately 1/2 pound heavy duty crank type</p> <p>tactical shoulder sling for Shotgun (Has loops to hold 15 shotgun shells)</p> <p>25 rounds 20 gauge #6 bird shot 5 lbs</p> <p>4 30-06 bullets.</p> <p>I'd guess 25-30 pounds being dropped.</p> <p><em>MJ, can you post my equipment sheet somewhere? I seem to be misplacing some things.</em> </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9308 Sun, 15 Feb 2009 19:33:19 +0000 M. J. Young 9308@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p><em>Don't feel stupid--it wasn't that easy a decision, and I recognized when I posed it that it would be very easy to get it wrong.</em></p> <p>Lauren caught up with Raeph Williams at a restaurant where the man gets his supper. She was going to attempt to unblock the memory and make some sort of amends, and then come back up here. Hopefully tomorrow she'll be in the system. Derek thought you were her.</p> <p>In a few minutes she arrives.</p> <p>"Oh, I really need some sleep. I have had such a very long day. Yesterday morning I awoke early in the woods near the ruins of Camelot. Bethany, my student, and I hiked many miles from Morgana's place through the woods to a stream near Nimue's grove, and pitched camp without fire so as not to antagonize the dryads. I lay awake thinking about things for quite a while, and it was late before I fell asleep. Then Bethany woke me, before midnight I think; the poor girl was exhausted. It was my turn to watch, and I did some reading by light conjured to my fingertips, but I was so tired I gave it up and stretched my legs to keep awake.</p> <p>"That's when I realized that there was something in the woods, and it turned out to be vampires--and not just any vampires, probably the three worst vampires it could possibly have been. One of them was Jackson, whom I had killed about half a millennium in the future, so I am not at all certain whether I <em>could</em> kill him there in the past. The second was Horta, another I was to kill in the future, and who had already killed me outside Wandborough back in the days immediately after the fall of Camelot. The third was Tubrok--the one vampire Merlin was afraid to face himself.</p> <p>"Anyway, I woke Bethany, and then there was a big fight. We actually beheaded Tubrok--but his head started shouting orders, and Horta grabbed head and body and started to flee, and I figured it was my best chance to finish off an antediluvian vampire--and Jackson blindsided me. I took quite a beating, got a telepathic message to Bethany to take cover in the oak grove, and then he broke my neck.</p> <p>"So I was already pretty beat when I arrived here hours ago, and messed up things with Raeph Williams when I found Derek, and have spent all day trying to get settled and still have more to do tomorrow. I've got to get some sleep. Derek has kindly offered me space in his place for tonight. I will see you tomorrow, though, and we'll continue those lessons."</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9286 Thu, 12 Feb 2009 17:53:28 +0000 JohnA1nut 9286@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>"Derek, oh hi, went the wrong way, was looking for Lauren. Do you know where she went?" </p> <p>Find Lauren.</p> <p><em>I was thinking that Lauren would be checking into her hotel and Derek would be working. (Hence, in administration) But no, Derek went to bed, and Lauren went to go get registered.... I feel sooooo stupid. </em> </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9283 Thu, 12 Feb 2009 17:44:17 +0000 M. J. Young 9283@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>You head to the living quarters and find yourself at Derek's apartment. He is home, getting ready for bed, but invites you in.</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9271 Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:21:36 +0000 JohnA1nut 9271@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p><em>Yeah, I probably would have tried something like that.</em></p> <p>Well, I'm betting that Lauren is the one in the living area. She's the one I want to see. </p> <p>Go that way. </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9268 Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:09:28 +0000 M. J. Young 9268@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>The scriff sense is divided; they are not together. With a bit of three-dimensional triangulation (by moving around and up) you determine that one vector points somewhere on the administrative levels, but not in the center, and the other out toward the living quarters.</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9260 Wed, 11 Feb 2009 08:06:45 +0000 JohnA1nut 9260@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>Eh forget it. If I can't kill the thing with 15 bullets, I probably won't be able to kill it with 20 either. </p> <p>Find Lauren and Derek. Just follow scriff sense. </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9252 Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:10:53 +0000 M. J. Young 9252@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>Raeph Williams is Derek's boss, head of the computer systems for the entire TerraNova habitat.</p> <p>They have one such clip in stock and are expecting another two or three next week. They're also expecting to get a thirty.</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9241 Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:41:28 +0000 JohnA1nut 9241@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>Who is Raeph Williams? I must have forgotten. </p> <p>Bid them farewell and go to the gun store. Place the order for the holster and the speed loaders. Do they have any 20 round magazines for my 9mm? (On earth, you can get them in 10, 15, 20 and 30.) </p> <p><em>The reason I started that weight limit thread is because I know I am over my weight limit again. The Verser's Survival Pack and all of it's contents are my first priority of what to take, if it is not on person when I verse. If it is on person when I verse, then that will probably make the rest of my gear fit into the weight limit though.</em> </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9230 Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:02:23 +0000 M. J. Young 9230@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>"My, you are eager. One thing at a time--you are going to the gun shop, and I am going to see this computer guy about an identity. We'll get together again around suppertime."</p> <p>"That's a bit complicated, Lauren. Time doesn't work here as it does in most worlds--everyone is on his own schedule. This was lunchtime for John, but for me it's dinner, and by the time he's having dinner I'll be asleep. People are on whatever clock fits their schedule."</p> <p>"Well, then, we'll have to figure out a time--<em>after</em> I've straightened out my identity problem. I've got to undo the mental block I created, you know. I've never done that before, and I want to be focused on it.</p> <p>"Anyway, I will catch up with you later. Derek? Show me where I might find Raeph Williams."</p> <p>If you don't stop them or go with them, they will leave.</p> <p><em>I know that multiple actions make timelines confusing, but although you have already described what you will do at the gun shop you haven't actually left Lauren so you haven't yet done that. Once you and Lauren part, your actions at the gun shop will fall into place; then you can tell me what you are doing after that.</em></p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9220 Sun, 08 Feb 2009 23:32:36 +0000 JohnA1nut 9220@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>"I think you misunderstood me there Lauren. Maybe I misunderstood you. Anyway, I'd like to try that. You demonstrate the skills, and let me read what goes on. Start with what works most often, and go from there. (2@1, 3@1, all @1 skills, really) Let's see what we can do with this."</p> <p>I would envision this as walking and talking, perhaps walking and teaching psionic skills, I dunno. I'm willing to bet there's no way this can be counted as practice, is there? Her practicing skills, and me practicing observing her mental process? No, then you couldn't tell me what I had learned, could you? Just asking, ya know. I'd rather not blow myself to pieces before I find out what going to happen. </p> <p>"Let's get started." </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9209 Sat, 07 Feb 2009 17:51:31 +0000 M. J. Young 9209@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>"Wow, you are sensitive. As I recall, you did the non-corporeality thing and I tried to read what you did and missed it--it was done before I got there. Then you did it again, but you didn't succeed--but I managed to see what you were doing. Then you said that I should show you how to do that, how to watch what you're doing inside your head. At that moment, I attempted to project to you how I do that, but it didn't go through. Then I managed successfully to connect telepathically, and you complained that I didn't warn you; then you asked me to show you the pattern reading skill, and I did. And now you're complaining that the first time you asked me to show you I didn't warn you that I was going to show you. You <em>asked</em> me to show you. Did you think that showing you would mean something different from opening my mind to you for you to see how it was done? You even tell me that the Architect used to do this same thing, putting skill patterns in your mind, so it's not as if I was doing something completely unfamiliar to you.</p> <p>"O.K., I understand I unnerved you. I can't promise that I will say something to you every time I'm about to contact you telepathically. After all, part of the value of being able to do that is that nothing need be said. It means that if I'm on Jupiter and you're on Alpha Centauri I can reach your mind when you couldn't possibly hear me speak. It means that when we're huddled in the bushes trying not to be seen by a vampire I can coordinate our plans without him hearing our discussion. Sure, I use it when there's no reason for me not to talk--but it's a way of practicing, of getting better at it, and more significantly of becoming familiar with your mind so that in those situations when it matters it comes easily. But if you want me to stick to speech more, I'll do that. What I need to know, though, since you complain that I tried to show you a psionic skill when you asked me to show it to you, is how do I know when you actually want me to do something like that and how do I know when you don't?"</p> <p>"It does not mean that you can now read my mind to see how I do these skills. What it means is that you now have something like a schematic diagram of how it works, or maybe like you've got a motor you can take apart to see how it's put together. You have an example of how I do it imprinted in your mind. You can use that example and what I've explained to you to try to do the same thing. What you need to do, like I showed you in the imprint, is look into my mind in the places where I control those things--or Derek's mind, although he hasn't learned anything yet. Think of my explanations as the text in the text book, and that imprint as being like the illustration. The text says to put the pieces together this way; the illustration shows you what it looks like when it's all put together. Make sense?"</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9197 Fri, 06 Feb 2009 21:04:45 +0000 JohnA1nut 9197@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>Two Posts</p> <p>NOTES:</p> <p>Dude, figure out what is really in that Verser's Survival Pack!!!!!!</p> <p>(In case you can't tell MJ, that is top on my priority list.) </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9192 Fri, 06 Feb 2009 10:36:06 +0000 JohnA1nut 9192@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <blockquote><p>Lauren says she tried to show you that already and it didn't take; but now that she's gotten a bit more familiar with your mind she'll try again.</p></blockquote> <p>"That's what I mean when I say "Warn me before you do something." Isn't that kind of like invasion of privacy, for you to put something into my head without telling me first?"</p> <p>"So, does that mean that now I can read your mind and figure how you're doing your tricks? The Architect just implanted it. It was really cool. Let's see, what's simple that you can show me?" (I would hope the 2@1-3@1, well, all @1 skills would be first.) </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9184 Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:05:58 +0000 M. J. Young 9184@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>Lauren says she tried to show you that already and it didn't take; but now that she's gotten a bit more familiar with your mind she'll try again. This time, a bit faintly but very genuinely, you have a mental impression of how to read the aspect of someone's mind that is performing psionic actions. She says it doesn't tell you what skill is being used, only how it is being done. If you recognize that skill you can of course figure out what is being done that way, but that's not the same thing as reading the nature of the skill. She compares it to operating a bicycle: you could conceivably find a way to perceive what every muscle in someone's body is doing, how the legs were pushing and rising, the arms holding and shifting, the body maintaining balance, but if you had no idea about riding a bicycle you would have no way of matching those motions to that process. Even if you had ridden a bicycle before, the accurate description of all the movements might tell you that this person was riding a bicycle, if you couldn't match the motions as described to the operation of the vehicle. In the same way, you can see what someone's mind is doing when they perform a psionic skill, but that doesn't tell you what is being accomplished by that activity. You would have to know that separately, or find a way to match the mental movements to something you did know, or perhaps perform the movements yourself and hope it didn't do something you didn't want to do.</p> <p>The gun store promises to call you.</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9176 Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:25:36 +0000 JohnA1nut 9176@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>Thinking to Lauren:</p> <p>"Can you show me how to do that trick where you figure out what psionic skill I'm using?" (I guess it would be Observe Mental Process)</p> <p>At the gun store</p> <p>"OK, just let me know when you get that stuff in." </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9165 Wed, 04 Feb 2009 12:35:10 +0000 M. J. Young 9165@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p><em>It's O.K.,</em> her thoughts continue. <em>Just think back to me. I didn't read your mind; I contacted you telepathically. This happens in a different area of the brain--it's kind of like, you have to think what you want to say like you were going to say it, but not actually say it. I connected your mind to mine just in terms of thoughts you intend me to hear, and those I intend you to hear. So when I'm doing this, I'm not reading anything but what you try to send, but I'm also sending at the same time. It's like a conversation, mind to mind.</p> <p>As far as giving you a warning, I'm not sure how I would do that. I mean, if I'm on another planet, I can link to your mind now that I've found your frequency, as it were; but that wouldn't tell me where you were, and there isn't really any way I can tell you I'm going to do it except to tell you I'm going to do it--and that means doing it. Does that make sense?</em></p> <p>Lauren would say that psionic botches are really unpredictable, although not as unpredictable as magic botches. Usually they involve power surges, that you get too much mental energy in the wrong place at the wrong time. That can cause brain burn or a psionic shock wave, or it can overdrive the desired effect or do something completely unexpected. It's a hazard of using psionics, but then, there are hazards to everything.</p> <p>The holster you describe is available for 20 credits. He can get the speed loader belt pouch from the same supplier. He can't really speed delivery, as it has to come in by spaceship from another star system.</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9155 Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:38:21 +0000 JohnA1nut 9155@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>Spoken "What a minute Lauren? What did you just do? Did you just to read my mind or something? What did you just do? Let's try that again. I think you have to be prepared. Besides, that kind of freaked me out there. Show me again what you just did. Let me pay closer attention. (Is that any kind of bonus?) And another thing, don't do that without warning me first, please."</p> <p>"Yeah, worst botch I ever had was I knocked a guy out with a TK pulse." </p> <p>And when she says "How is that a bad botch?"</p> <p>"Because, I was handcuffed in the back seat....." </p> <p><em>I remember you suggesting that I have him ask Lauren about that crash. See if she could figure out what happened, and let my character know. I pretty much understand it now, so do whatever you want as far as typing.</em> </p> <p>Assuming we don't botch, and I make it this far:</p> <p>At the gun store:</p> <p>"Is there any way to speed up delivery of the holster? How much does it cost, anyway? (I wouldn't think more than $50-$100 in 20th century currency) If you can rush ship that, I could pay up to 100 extra credits. Do you have any which are completely synthetic? Like nylon? (Show them the black nylon Leatherman pouch) That's actually what I wanted. Elastic loops and/or a pouch for extra bullets? Oh yeah, and a speed loader belt pack. (A double pouch, which holds 2 speed loaders. Like the cops of your generation) Anything like that?" </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9152 Tue, 03 Feb 2009 23:24:35 +0000 M. J. Young 9152@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p><em>The "sleep" of versing is more like fainting. You have been awake for as long as you have been awake. The more you do it, the less unconscious you will be.</p> <p>I've run too many people to be able to guess how many have a survival pack. Of course, you've got several different concepts. There are those like Bob Slade and Michael di Vars who make every effort to keep all of their equipment close at all times, and who travel relatively light. (Yes, I know that di Vars has a jeep, but consider that Whisp, whose weight limit is not as high, has a space ship.) You've got people like Lauren who are pack rats, who can't really keep everything close at hand at all times, but whose strength is more in her skills than her equipment. Quite a few of my players have divided their gear such that one small pack would be with them at all times, containing their essentials.</em></p> <p>She laughs. "We'll be sure to show you how to watch psionic skill patterns in other people's minds. You might have a bit of trouble watching mine, though, as I tend to keep a defense shield up. I'll try to lower it when I know you're trying to watch."</p> <p>"I think I'll let them put me in the system. I appreciate your concern, but I don't think having my identity in a computer can compromise me too terribly."</p> <p>The good news is you're not far from the gun store at all. The bad news is they don't have what you want in stock. The good news is they can order exactly what you've described, in either genuine leather or synthetic leather. The bad news is it will take eight to twelve days to get it, no matter which you want.</p> <p>Also, Derek and Lauren suggest that they're going to go talk with Derek's boss while you deal with the gun store, and they'll catch up with you later in the day. She says it may be a few days before she takes time to visit a shooting range, but it would be good for her to get in some practice with the pistols and the laser blaster. She has no problem with you trying her guns, if you like.</p> <p>She's had botches in her time. She figures that they're part of the lesson; they help her measure how good she's been. Sometimes they've been fatal, but that only means that her work is done wherever she was and it's time to start something else. Sometimes they've been painful, but in those cases she figures she's being taught something, even if it's only not to be too cocky about what she thinks she can do.</p> <p>She frowns. "That's the second time I've failed to contact your mind. I guess I'm just used to working with people like Derek, Bethany, and Merlin, whom I've contacted so much I know their minds really well. Anyway, we'll try again later." Then her words come into your mind directly: <em>Don't worry; I can keep in touch.</em></p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9141 Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:13:19 +0000 JohnA1nut 9141@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p><em>Do you sleep when you verse? If you were awake for 12 hours in one world, are you still awake 12 hours in your next world? I know you've said that I wake up. Is that because I was sleeping? Just Curious.</p> <p>Understood about back writing it into the story. </em></p> <p>To Lauren:</p> <p>"How in the hell did you do that? I didn't even succeed, but you got it. You need to show me how to do that." </p> <p>To Derek and Lauren:</p> <p>"That's right, I keep forgetting about that. Well, here's an idea. You could just leave all the doors locked and practice your non-corporeality to go through them. Or not. Derek, I'm sure you know more about computers than me. It was just a suggestion." </p> <p>"Hey Lauren, I'd like to go to the shooting range and fire one of those 50 cal revolvers sometime. What do you think?"</p> <p>How close am I to the gun store? Could we get there in a reasonable amount of time so I could buy that holster? If so, buy it. It would be either made for behind the back right handed, or left handed hip. They would be pretty exactly the same in design. Some holsters are designed for concealed carry. That's the kind that I would get. Also, you know those belts the cowboys wear, that hold bullets? Some of these holsters have loops to hold (usually) 12 bullets (2 loads of 6) A concealed carry holster with some place to store extra ammo is what I would be looking for. </p> <p>To Lauren:</p> <p>"Ya know, I just had an idea. You seem to be able to learn what I do just by me doing it. Can you teach me this skill? I bet we could do this while I show you around the mall."</p> <p>Then, of course, botches would come into the conversation. </p> <p>"Well, Lauren, I have a way around that. I prayed for God to not give me any botches. I felt God telling me that I would not botch. I didn't botch, but nothing happened at all. I'm just wondering...... Anyway, God seems to answer prayers a lot more often in The Verse (I would pronounce the capital letters.) If not botching means nothing happens, maybe we can soften the botches? Pray for no seriously bad/life threatening botches, for the purposes of training a Holy Warrior. (I do consider myself that, after killing 5 demons.) No crippling, or permanent injury botches. Nothing worse than Brain Burn (Which I have had once) Soften the botches to harmless and/or annoying." (I know it's a little disjointed, I'm doing therapy. I hope you can understand.) </p> <p><em>Oh yeah, just out of curiosity, how many players put together something like my Verser's Survival Pack? I imagine The Architect would probably do something similar.</em> </p> <p>NOTES:</p> <blockquote><p> Backpack<br /> Kabar knife<br /> 14 inch hunting knife, and everything that comes with it.<br /> Ronco pocket fisherman<br /> S/W .357 magnum, loaded<br /> 250 rounds .357 ammo<br /> three 357 speed loaders, loaded.<br /> Ruger P-89 pistol, magazine currently contains 15 shots 9mm<br /> 7 magazines 15 round each for 9mm loaded<br /> 250 rounds boxed 9 mm ammo<br /> 9 mm holster, with the gun inside.<br /> crossbow, folded up<br /> 30 arrow quiver, loaded with 30 arrows<br /> 6 extra arrows, 5 in the side holder, one loose, head wrapped in 1 inch plastic bag<br /> 1 Pearl Harbor jumpsuit<br /> 100 chlorine tabs<br /> 2 quart canteen<br /> three days food<br /> 10 four ounce silver crowns<br /> 20 two ounce gold pieces<br /> 20 two ounce platinum pieces<br /> 32 1/2 oz shillings (nickel)<br /> 32 1/2 oz pence (bronze)<br /> 5 BIC cigarette lighters (one sealed pack)<br /> 2 glue grenades<br /> 2 fragmentation grenades<br /> The plastic ground tarp that I bought.<br /> Gems, some valuable, some not<br /> Dynamo Flashlight<br /> Two balls of yarn<br /> One set knitting needles<br /> AR-7<br /> One brick (500 rounds) 22 ammo</p> <p> Fanny Pack<br /> Four 4 ounce crowns (Silver)<br /> Five 2 ounce gold pieces<br /> Five 2 ounce platinum pieces<br /> Four 1 ounce gold coins<br /> Ten 1 ounce silver pieces<br /> 32 shillings (nickle)<br /> 32 pence (bronze)<br /> Straight razor<br /> 5 BIC cigarette lighters<br /> Leatherman multitool in black nylon sheath, on the strap<br /> Gems, some valuable, some not.<br /> Diamond ring, gold setting, $225 original price (B Monster Movie World), fanny pack<br /> Diamond ring, gold setting, $235 original price (B Monster Movie World), fanny pack</p> <p> THIS IS MY ON-PERSON EQUIPMENT AT ALL TIMES!!!!!!!!!!!!</p> <p>Ya know what? I don't want to lose the Marlin. That's a damn fine gun. I would want to keep the Marlin. </p> </blockquote> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9137 Mon, 02 Feb 2009 23:49:00 +0000 M. J. Young 9137@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p><em>Answer: when I am accelerating time, I do my best to give players the opportunity to include anything they wish to do in that time. Once that time has passed, it is to my mind more difficult to make changes to what happens within it. It might be that buying the holster will have no impact on anything--but doing it will require playing events inside the time already past. What would happen, for example, if you went to the store and I rolled a 30 GE roll and decided that there was going to be an armed robbery in the store while you were there? You might not come out of that still in this world, and that would erase everything that happened since; even if you did, it might significantly impact your relations to people and things in this world.</p> <p>It is ultimately the referee's call as to whether something can be backwritten into what has happened already. My feeling in this connection is that you did not think of it until now, and there is some question of how long it will take for them to be obtained--particularly since you still have not actually attempted to get it. It may be that other events will interrupt your efforts to get such a holster, and I don't want to complicate things unduly.</em></p> <p>You do not succeed in becoming non-corporeal. However, Lauren says, "Ah, I see what you're trying to do. That's interesting." She then does it, becoming non-corporeal, passing her hand through the wall and out again, and then restoring herself to solidity. "Yes, I can see where that might be useful."</p> <p><em>Information: you did succeed in bonusing your chance of success, but not sufficiently to guarantee success. For what it's worth, it "worked" well enough for Lauren to get the example of how you do it from your attempt.</em></p> <p>"Oh, yes, use it [TK Pulse] quite a bit. I remember using it to drop a safe on a vampire, and to try to steer it as it fell, although it did not work as well as I had hoped. I've also used it to help with my jumps, flips, and other maneuvers, as a sort of extra push. It's a good technique. Of course, I can also fly, and I use telekinesis almost too much really--I've several times lifted pens across the room to myself in front of witnesses, and it was not always intentional."</p> <p>"I don't know," Derek answers to your suggestion that she not be in the system. "I mean, around here you can't open a door unless either the computer recognizes you or you fool the system--and Lauren doesn't know much about hacking."</p> <p>"No, that's not really the way my generation was. Computers we used, some of us, but not all that much. They were like typewriters with built in adding machines. I should probably learn more, but I don't guess I can learn to hack doors by dinnertime--and I am not staying in an apartment with a man I don't know if I can't close the bathroom door."</p> <p>She does have the revolvers. She is very good with them now, and has no intention of parting with them and learning to use something else.</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9124 Mon, 02 Feb 2009 03:21:46 +0000 JohnA1nut 9124@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p><em>Just curious, why can't we just say that I bought the 357 holster during the days we skipped? I would never have used it, I would have most likely just put it into my Verser's Survival Pack. Why can't we just say that I already bought it? Not arguing, just wondering. </p> <p>BTW, that would function as a left handed draw holster, or as a right handed behind the back holster. They're exactly the same. Sometimes ambidextrous.</em> </p> <p>"OK Lauren, I guess I did kind of spring that on you. Let's try that again. I'm going to do that one more time. Try to pay attention this time." (Does that sound rude? I don't mean it to. It would be said in a friendly tone.)</p> <p>Try again. Before I do, I would pray "Please God, let this work." This is not my anti-botch prayer. I'm sure you've prayed prayers like this before trying something difficult, so you know exactly what I would be expecting and what it means. </p> <p>Go non-corporeal. </p> <p>After that, ask if Lauren knows the TK pulse. TK pulse something small. I would probably point my finger every time I TK pulsed something, whenever possible. Does that count for any kind of bonuses? Perhaps adding something to the TK pulse ritual? </p> <p>I would hope that she doesn't know it. </p> <p>"I got an idea, how about you teach me the psionics that worked for you most often in the most number of worlds? Seems like as good a place to start as any."</p> <p>"Oh yeah, and about your identity problem. I think you should not get into the system. I think it would be good for at least one of us to not be in the system. Don't ask me why, it just seems like a good idea. Don't worry about money. I make more than enough to take care of your needs. Might even buy you some new equipment if you ask nicely. In my first world, I learned 80,000 reasons to not worry about money as a verser. What do you guys think?"</p> <p>Does she still have those two 50 caliber revolvers? Might she consider trading?</p> <p><em>Do you sleep when you verse? If you were awake for 12 hours in one world, are you still awake 12 hours in your next world? I know you've said that I wake up. Is that because I was sleeping? Just Curious.</em> </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9118 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 23:48:26 +0000 M. J. Young 9118@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p><em>Part of the point of putting you in Columbus with him was because you would recognize him as me. Yes, you knew me before you met him--but he was probably more than a decade younger than the me that you met, and in much better shape physically, and he had never met you.</em></p> <p>You go non-corporeal on the first attempt. "Drat," she says. "I missed it. You'll have to show me again sometime. Today, though, I'd better straighten out this whole problem with my identity. Derek, any idea where I can find your boss, <em>not</em> in his office? I'd like to apologize and undo the damage, if I can."</p> <p>"The Architect? That's impressive. I've seen his work--Umak Tek, he calls it. In fact, my plastic steel armor and kau sin ke and the wagon, I made all of that using the plastic steel he invented. He pioneered a lot of stuff, and I'd have to say that a lot of what I can do--well, even though I never met him, I used his training equipment and learned to use the psionic devices he and some of the others brought back from the Glass City. I have some myself, but I went and got them from the city. His work is really remarkable. I hope you get a chance to see it sometime."</p> <p>"I missed it," Derek says. "Apparently I was in NagaWorld, but it was the first place I ever went, and it seemed so unreal I didn't even stand up until something killed me."</p> <p>You can place the order for the holster using the vid computer communications system, if you like. By now you know the store that usually can get that kind of thing. Or you can go order it while Lauren is dealing with her identity problem.</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9105 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 04:47:31 +0000 JohnA1nut 9105@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>Two Posts</p> <p>NOTES:</p> <p>Behind the back holster for the 357. Money no object. Looks like you're reaching for your wallet, and gives them a nice surprise.</p> <p>MJ, could I have bought that during one of the days we skipped? I'm not keeping track of the credits anymore, but I know I'd have enough for it. </p> <p>Can that be done? I'd rather not postpone the psionics lesson, if it can be avoided. </p> <p>And MJ, put me in a world that requires involvement. Seriously. I know you think it's a bad idea, and so I don't expect you to, and I don't want you to tell me whether or not you do. Next world, world after that, whenever. Just for the kicks of it. One that I have not seen in the novel, if at all possible. </p> <p>If it gets ludicriously irritating to you, I'm sure you can come up with a way to verse me out. Just see what happens. One thing I have learned about this game is that things are very often exactly the opposite of what I would expect. Perhaps this is the same way for you.</p> <p>Bullet reloading gear? Bullet molds? 1@10 reloading. Never done bullet casting, but I'm sure a blacksmith could do that. Might need silver bullets.</p> <p>Make silver blade!!!!!! 25 pounds of silver, turn some of it into something practical. </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9093 Sat, 31 Jan 2009 01:54:36 +0000 JohnA1nut 9093@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p><em>I keep forgetting that Lauren doesn't know what you know. Let's see if I can figure this out.</em></p> <p>Stop walking, and go non-corporeal. Keep trying until I either make it or botch. </p> <p>Whilst non-corporeal:</p> <p>"This is non-corporeal. I can walk through walls like this. One time, I used it to escape from a hole I got shoved into."</p> <p>If I botch, deal with it. </p> <p>Return to normal:</p> <p>"A guy named The Architect taught me most of the psionics that I know. I got an idea, how about you teach me the psionics that worked for you most often in the most number of worlds? Seems like as good a place to start as any."</p> <p>I'm almost positive Lauren would know the TK pulse, but it's about the only thing I'm really good at. I would kind of feel better if I could teach Lauren some tricks as well. TK pulse is probably the only one I'd feel comfortable teaching. </p> <p><em>Does my character know Mark Young author and time travel expert, or just The Architect? Did I ever meet you in Columbus prior to versing?</em> </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9088 Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:57:27 +0000 M. J. Young 9088@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>"Non-corporeal? You'll have to show me that one. I've never seen it done.</p> <p>"I don't think I know the answer to your question. I've been in several worlds where my psionics worked really well, and a couple where they did not work really at all. When they did not work well, I used other skills to avoid trouble. Now, I can teach you the skills I've used, and particularly the ones I've found most useful, but I can't tell you what's going to work in 'most worlds' because I've not been to most worlds. I've been in worlds where they worked well and worlds where they worked poorly, and where they worked poorly I stuck with my best skills and things that were necessary. I know that I couldn't fly or levitate in one world where I light fires and heat rocks, although when I was learning them the pyro skill was a lot harder and less reliable than the telekinetic ones. But let's find out what does work in this world, and will build from there.</p> <p>"So let's try again: what did you learn first, and how did you learn it? Then what did you learn? Tell me about it. I need to know not only what you know, but how you learn things. Not everyone learns the same way, and if you're the student and I'm the teacher, I need to find the best way to teach you. The best way I know how to do that is to understand what it is you already know, and how you managed to learn it."</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9080 Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:39:01 +0000 JohnA1nut 9080@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <blockquote><p>Here's a disconnect--if you're not interested in sex, why were you so fascinated with lifting skirts telekinetically? You don't have to answer that, but I do find it odd.</p></blockquote> <p><em>Sex and looking at women's panties are two completely different things. I would hope I wouldn't have to explain that to a married man with 5 sons.....</em></p> <p>"Well Lauren, the thing that I am the most interested in is what psionic skills work in most worlds? In my first world, I had full psionic abilities, and I had a really good time. Then I landed at Pearl Harbor, and thinking that I still had my full psionic abilities, got into a heap of trouble in a hurry. All I could do was a TK pulse and mind reading. I don't want to be in that kind of situation again, so I want to learn what always works, or at least what you have found to work the most often. I got really good with the TK pulse, but what else always works? (In other words, the @1 and @0 skills)"</p> <p>"As far as what else I know, I can do some telekinesis, I threw pebbles at the speed of bullets, I went non-corporeal a couple times, the basics I guess. I'm really interested in learning the skills that work most often." </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9075 Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:24:46 +0000 M. J. Young 9075@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p><em>The last mention of your martial arts training was in <a href="http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/6#post-8884">this post</a>, which was yesterday in the game world. You are currently 1@3 at Okydoky Smoky, and have not yet been introduced to any of its related techniques or weapons. The teachers make a point of establishing your ability at each skill before adding another.</em></p> <p>As you are headed back to your apartment, she engages you in a discussion of your psionic skills. "So," she says, "begin at the beginning. What did you learn first, and how did you learn it?"</p> <p>Derek says he has not yet learned any psionic skills, but is looking forward to doing so. Lauren says she'll start him with a couple of mind reading techniques he'll find useful--and you, too, once she knows what you already know in that area.</p> <p><em>I know I could simply look up your psionic skills on your character sheet, but I'm really much more interested in which ones you mention and what you say about them, what you tell her you've done with them, and stuff like that.</p> <p>Here's a disconnect--if you're not interested in sex, why were you so fascinated with lifting skirts telekinetically? You don't have to answer that, but I do find it odd.</em></p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9066 Thu, 29 Jan 2009 05:42:27 +0000 JohnA1nut 9066@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p><em>That crack that I made that Lauren might as well be a 53 year old man is absolutely true. Part of the reason why Dancing Princess didn't interest me is that it assumes that the player has a modicum of interest in sex. This particular player has no such interest. Therefore, Lauren Hastings would be in no danger of being dishonored by me.</em></p> <p>"Well, let's finish up here, head back to my room and get started. Let's see what we can do here."</p> <p>I would then give her a rundown of every psionic skill that I have, so she knows where to start. </p> <p>When am I doing my martial arts training again, and did I have any increases there? </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9062 Thu, 29 Jan 2009 02:40:56 +0000 M. J. Young 9062@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>"Oh, it's silly really. When I got here, I got my stuff together, and in the process sensed two other versers. I picked one--it happens that I picked Derek. I grabbed a few things, and secured the rest somewhere out of the way, and then went to find him. It was a populated area, so I used my psionics to cloud the minds of people around me, so they wouldn't notice me. I followed the scriff sense, and it took me to Derek. He was in some high-security computer center, but no one noticed me so no one stopped me, and I walked in and greeted him.</p> <p>"Well, when I greeted him he was excited to see me, and that called enough attention to me that the people there noticed me. One of them came over and started asking a lot of questions, and he apparently didn't like my answers. My appearance probably didn't help--mud-laden red robe with gold trim, six foot black staff with gemmed tip. Anyway, he wanted to know how I got into his secure room, and I told him--"</p> <p>"Yeah," Derek interrupts, "that was really cool. It was almost like she materialized right there. She says she can show me how to do it."</p> <p>"Anyway, he asked why I was here, and I told him I didn't yet know why God brought me here but I would figure it out. He seemed to take great offense at that? It was as if the idea that God had to send someone else into his universe meant that there was a problem he couldn't handle himself.</p> <p>"Well, I realized that things were taking a bad turn, so I blocked all his memories of my presence. Did the same with everyone else in the room, except for Derek, and told him not to mention me so it wouldn't confuse them. Then I left. But Derek tells me that I've created a problem for myself, because that guy whose memories I blocked is the person who has to create an identity for me in the computer. So I'm going to have to figure out what to do next."</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9033 Mon, 26 Jan 2009 07:52:17 +0000 JohnA1nut 9033@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <blockquote><p>"And I do apparently have a bit of a problem I have to address, and that rather soon--I need a place to live, and I've made a bit of a mess of things in that department. But I'll get it resolved." </p></blockquote> <p>"Actually, if you want to, your housing problem has been solved already. My hotel room was originally for Derek and I, but he got his own place. If the whole man woman living together thing doesn't bother you, that is. Don't worry, I appreciate a pretty lady as much as the next guy, but I have very little interest in anything sexual. It's just the way I'm programmed. You might as well be a 53 year old man named Mark for all the interest I'd have there........ What kind of a mess did you create? You're not one of those people that has an invisible friend named Trouble that follows you everywhere, are you?" </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9027 Sun, 25 Jan 2009 23:37:41 +0000 M. J. Young 9027@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>She smiles a moment, then frowns, then says, "Good idea. Of course, not here in the restaurant. And I do apparently have a bit of a problem I have to address, and that rather soon--I need a place to live, and I've made a bit of a mess of things in that department. But I'll get it resolved." She smiles again, and digs into her meal.</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-9011 Sat, 24 Jan 2009 12:15:24 +0000 JohnA1nut 9011@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <blockquote><p>Almost in unison, Lauren and Derek say, "What happened to the World Trade Center?"</p></blockquote> <p>"Some terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes and flew them into the WTC buildings and the Pentagon. My brother heard about the first plane hit on the radio and called me. I turned on the TV just in time to see the second plane hit live. It was pretty freaky. The towers fell. Almost 3,000 people died." </p> <p>"And ya know what else Lauren? I think that's the best answer I've heard on this in quite a while. I see it as I am a visitor. It's not my problem. Could it be that God is versing us around to fix problems? Kind of like Quantum Leap, except it's Verser's Leap? I don't know. Well, as they say, there's no such thing as bad knowledge, why don't we get started?" </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-8986 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:30:23 +0000 M. J. Young 8986@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>Almost in unison, Lauren and Derek say, "What happened to the World Trade Center?"</p> <blockquote><p>"That's exactly what happened in my last world. An angel appeared and told me that the princes were demons. That's direct leading from God."</blockquote> "Sure," Lauren says. "And sometimes you get that. The angel appears to Gideon, Moses meets God at the burning bush, Paul encounters Jesus on the road to Damascus. But then, who told Peter to stand up on Pentecost and proclaim the gospel, or to heal the lame man in the temple court? Who told Barnabas to sell his field and give the money to the poor? God certainly expects us to do what He tells us directly, but He also expects us to do the things that His children would do because we are like Him.</p> <p>"Deitrich Bonhoffer was a Lutheran theologian in Nazi Germany. At one point he was part of a plot to assassinate Hitler. He wrote from prison that he never said a word when the police came for the Jews, or for the Poles, or for the Catholics, and then when they came for him there was no one left to say anything. All that is necessary for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing--I forget who said that, but it's clearly true. God does indeed sometimes give us very clear and direct guidance, but quite a bit more often He expects us to use the gifts He has given us to figure out how to use the gifts He has given us. In fact, I would dare suggest that if God has to use that kind of direct guidance with you, then it's either because like Paul you're heading into something that's going to be incredibly difficult, or like Balaam you're being blinder than your own ass and can't see what God has been trying to tell you less directly. The very first question I try to ask myself when I get to a new world is, what is it that God wants me to do here? I don't usually get a quick answer to that, but I try to keep it in mind. Now, maybe God has sent me here just to teach you the skills you're going to need to serve Him in the future; but frankly, your attitude about this does not inspire me to believe that my efforts will be well-rewarded."</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-8976 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 09:33:29 +0000 JohnA1nut 8976@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <blockquote><p>"I suppose it's arguing semantics, but really, why are you so upset about a word? </p></blockquote> <p>"Well, if you called a black man an African American, he wouldn't get upset. If you called him a nigger, he probably would. What's the difference? It's just a word. Means pretty much the same thing. Just one is offensive and the other isn't. The word Nigger is derived from the Spanish word negro, which means "Black". So, calling someone a nigger is just calling them black. One is offensive, the other isn't." </p> <blockquote><p>Also, this part confuses me: if you don't want to be the hero, why do you want the skills necessary for the job? </p></blockquote> <p>I read an anecdote about a scout master who was training the boy scouts to shoot rifles. A female reporter asked him "How can you do that? You're equipping them to become dangerous killers." The scout master looked at this young woman and said "Well, you're equipped to be a prostitute, but you're not one, are you?" Being prepared to do something and actually doing it are not the same thing. The United States stuck its nose in the business of countries all over the world, then we have the audacity to WONDER why someone flies planes into the World Trade Centers? I believe that if someone comes up to me and starts something, I have the right to fight back. However, I'm not going to go looking for a fight if it can be avoided. If someone invaded the US, we have the right to kick their asses. However, if we had kept our noses out of their business, the WTC would still be standing. </p> <p>As far as God calling me to get involved.... That's exactly what happened in my last world. An angel appeared and told me that the princes were demons. That's direct leading from God. </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/5#post-8967 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:55:10 +0000 M. J. Young 8967@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <blockquote><p>"There's no such thing as magic. I've had God answer prayers for me on the spot, but I don't really call that magic. If you want to call it that, then it's fine with me."</blockquote> "I suppose it's arguing semantics, but really, why are you so upset about a word? Think of it this way. When Moses faced the 'magicians' of Egypt, those 'magicians' were really priests of the gods of Egypt. They called upon their gods to work wonders, and they copied many of the things Moses did using that power. The Bible calls what they did 'magic', but it was clearly calling on a god for power. Now, if calling on a god for power is called magic, why shouldn't calling on <em>the</em> God for power have the same name?</p> <p>"Anyway, I've used enough powers that I can clearly distinguish power that comes from me, power that comes from God, and power that comes from the supernatural world that I direct. If you don't like the word 'magic', then come up with some other word that covers supernatural power in all its forms. This one works."</p> <p>Knowing Derek, if he picked the restaurant, it's probably either hamburgers or pizza.</p> <blockquote><p>"Lauren, you sound like you go out of your way to be a hero. I don't want to be a hero. I did engage several demons in my last world, but that's killing my natural enemy."</blockquote> "John, my second world--that is, not counting the world in which I was born--was overrun by vampires. The people there needed a hero, and I learned rather quickly that I could become this hero. It wasn't about being a hero, though. It was about using the gifts God has given me to make a difference to other people.</p> <p>"And isn't that what our Christian faith is all about, fundamentally? God has not called us so that He can make our lives wonderful or comfortable, so that he can feed our egos and our desires. He has called us so that He can use us in the service of others. Our example is Jesus, who took everything He had, everything He was, and used it to save us and to make our lives better. We aren't called to selfishness, but to selflessness, a giving of everything we have and are to the service of others. Now, maybe you don't want to be that person, that person who gives everything, even his lives, to others; but if not, maybe you need to ask yourself whether you really want to be the person God made you to be, that person who lives for Him and for--well, for everyone else.</p> <p>"Also, this part confuses me: if you don't want to be the hero, why do you want the skills necessary for the job? I remember someone asking me about my powers, and I told them straight out, don't wish for my powers if you don't want my tasks. God gives us the tools we need for the jobs He gives us. Look at Derek--he's probably the best computer hacker you'll ever meet. It saved his life in the world in which we met, because he was sealed inside an abandoned bunker and was able to figure out how to get its own security system to work for him. Why was he there? One reason is that he opened the doors and let others inside--me, and some indigs I was traveling with--and then we created a school, and he helped expand our resources again by working with their computers, and--well, it's too much now to explain why all of that mattered, but Derek had the skills he needed for the tasks God needed him for. I have the skills for the tasks God needs me for. If God gives you skills, you had better believe and expect that He is going to give you tasks that require them, and those tasks are going to involve making the lives of others better.</p> <p>"Now, maybe you don't believe that God has called you to make a difference in these worlds. That's what I believe, and I think Derek is starting to see it, too. Fortunately, it doesn't matter to me whether you believe it or not. God <em>will</em> use you in these places He sends you, whether you want to be used or not. Joe Kondor insists that this entire versing experience is just an accident, completely explainable scientifically, and that we wind up in worlds entirely at random. However, wherever he goes he makes a difference. He founded a hospital in Sherwood Forest, and advanced their medicine hundreds of years in maybe a decade. He was a hero in another world, recovering an object the indigs said was the key to their battle against the undead--despite the fact that he did not believe there could be undead, and even when he fought them he kept telling himself that there were perfectly reasonable scientific explanations for these creatures, and he did not believe that the thing he brought back was anything other than a ball of rock. You will be the hero, because God has given you the skills, and having given you the skills He is going to give you the opportunities to use them <em>to help other people</em>.</p> <p>"So it doesn't matter whether you believe you're called to be the hero or not. You are called to be the hero, and you will play the role when it is thrust upon you. The difference is, if you see this as your calling, you will find the excitement of doing what God has called you to do, and if you do not see it, you will see everything that comes to you as your own bad luck. I'll teach you either way, if you want me to teach you; but I give you this warning. There's that comic book hero that says 'With great power comes great responsibility', and there's wisdom in that. If I teach you skills that make you powerful, God will call on you to use that power in His work. If you never learn the skills, the challenges you face will be considerably easier--not that they will be easier subjectively, because God is also working on making you the person He wants you to be, so you'll face the challenges you need to become the person He wants you to be. But <em>objectively</em>? The greater your ability, the tougher your challenges. They will match. You will always face problems for which your ability is just barely equal, so that you will be fully utilized in all that God wants to do, and challenged to grow to greater ability.</p> <p>"Sorry--I'm lecturing."</p> <p>"She does that," Derek injects. "You'll get used to it, and sometimes you'll learn something from it." He smiles. "Actually, Lauren is the one who taught me that school was good, that it was good to learn things, and in fact that I wanted to learn things and could enjoy learning them and knowing them and using them. But I've never known a better teacher."</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/4#post-8955 Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:08:12 +0000 JohnA1nut 8955@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>"There's no such thing as magic. I've had God answer prayers for me on the spot, but I don't really call that magic. If you want to call it that, then it's fine with me. The coolest psionic trick I ever pulled was I went non-corporeal to get out of a hole I got myself pushed into. I've been in the verse for I guess about five years. About 6 months in the first world, where I learned the psionics, a couple years in 1940s earth, a couple of years in a medieval world, and here I am. Psionics works for the first time since I've been anywhere else. I was hoping to learn some more."</p> <p>"So what does this joint serve?"</p> <p>"Lauren, you sound like you go out of your way to be a hero. I don't want to be a hero. I did engage several demons in my last world, but that's killing my natural enemy." </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/4#post-8946 Sun, 18 Jan 2009 14:58:45 +0000 M. J. Young 8946@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <blockquote><p>"Hi there, (extend hand to shake) I'm John. (When she takes my hand, I would kiss it, gentleman style) And who might you be?"</blockquote> "Lauren", she responds. "Lauren Hastings. Anyway, I've been called a lot of other things, but that's my married name. So, John, how long have you been in the verse?"</p> <blockquote><p>(I would hope that conversation would quickly turn to our respective verser careers. Since I read the book, I see no point in you telling me anything)</p></blockquote> <p><em>I actually do see a point in it, and in fact several points. For one thing, the way Lauren would describe her adventures would omit some of what is in the book. For another, she has been to several worlds since then. Further, tit-for-tat as it were, she'll be asking you about your adventures as well. This, incidentally, will be a recurring topic over several days, but the other points of conversation will also weave into it.</em></p> <p>"Well, I woke up in NagaWorld, near Michael's Foxhole, and found my way from there to Umak Tek. Have you been there?" You indicate not, I presume. "Well, it's really a remarkable place--it dispelled any illusions I had that I was somewhere else in the same universe, even. I learned the basics there, started on my exercise and acrobatics routine, and made a few things for myself, including my wagon in which I carry stuff.</p> <p>"Then I found myself in Philadelphia, a few years in the future--2005. I versed out in 2000, when my microwave oven exploded. It was good to meet Paul and Annie, and they explained a lot of what was happening, what was known about scriff and the verse and things like that. Anyway, had I not been in NagaWorld I probably would have been in serious trouble in Philadelphia--I find that God is always preparing me for whatever task he has next for me, don't you? I mean, I learned a few psionic tricks in NagaWorld, and got a couple of really useful psionic weapons, and then I wind up in Philadelphia fighting vampires--I'm getting everything out of order here, aren't I? Well, it's been quite a while since then, but there were vampires in Philadelphia, and working with some of the local hunters and the werewolves I got rid of quite a few, including a major stronghold they maintained. Anyway, it was during a fierce battle with a powerful vampire mage that I versed out--but it was my own spell that did it, created a firestorm so powerful that it took me with it, but I think I got him.</p> <p>"After that, I was in a very peaceful place for a long time. There were people there who were really like birds, all feathered and building nests and I think laying eggs, but I got there late in the spring after the eggs had hatched and never saw the next spring, even though the seasons stretched for like twice as long as home. I met a couple other versers there--Joe Kondor and Bob Slade, meet either of them?" Again you indicate the negative. "Well, there was a spot of trouble in the fall, and we dealt with it. Joe got killed by an army of birds, but Bob and I survived to weather the winter together. I blew myself up in the spring, trying to fix this psionic disintegrator I broke in a fight with a pterodactyl, or something like it."</p> <blockquote><p>"Really? I read a book about a woman who had similar adventures. I've read that anything you can imagine exists somewhere. That the Aliens from the movie of the same title exist, and their horror shows are shows about human beings. So what are we doing? Lunch is on me, unless there are objections."</p></blockquote> <p>Derek doesn't mind, and Lauren isn't in the computer yet so she can't really object.</p> <p>"Miss Hastings, or should I call you Lauren? I prayed for a verser teacher some months ago, I wonder if you could be the one. At first I thought it was Derek, but he wasn't trained in the kinds of things I've wanted to learn. I've found that some psionics only work on certain worlds. I'm assuming the same is true of prayers and magic. I'd like to learn the psionic skills that work in every world. The TK pulse and mind reading are all I can get to work sometimes. What are all of the skills that work everywhere?"She laughs aloud heartily enough that heads turn at other tables.</p> <p>"John, I'm certainly a teacher, and maybe that's why God brought me here--or at least, one of the reasons. After all, God's plans are always complex. But even after studying for decades with Merlin in Camelot, I'd hardly say that I know all the skills that will work anywhere--I'm not even sure there is such a thing. I remember Paul saying something about worlds with negative bias, where things that always work don't work."</p> <p>She calms. "But I can certainly teach you some things."</p> <p>She turns toward Derek. "You, too," she says. "When we were with Starson in that mutant world, there seemed to be something preventing anyone from learning new psionic skills, and magic was nearly non-existent, as far as I could tell. Let's see what it's like here. Of course, we go slowly--don't want to blow ourselves up, or set off psionic shock waves or something in the midst of a population center, and it's not easy to get out into the country around here, from what Derek tells me.</p> <p>"And you're right--bias is always a challenge. It's not just magic and psionics, either. I found when I was in Camelot that my pistols did not work as well, and I did not rely on my laser blaster when I was in Wandborough teaching Bethany. My martial arts and acrobatics seem pretty reliable, but I've been told that these can fail as well, although not so often."</p> <p>She ponders the question of what works.</p> <p>"I've usually been able to read minds, in several different ways. I can bump things around telekinetically, but that's a lot harder than reading minds--you'd have to work up to that. I can shift my sensory processing around to enhance one sense or another--mostly I've done it with sight and smell, the latter because you can smell vampires and ghouls if your nose is sensitized. My pyrogenesis has been really helpful, but I don't think it always works. Force walls are pretty dependable. With the outer powers--sorry, that was the phrase Merlin used to distinguish supernatural magic from mental or soul ability. Anyway, removing fatigue is pretty basic. Creating light--I create a lot of light in a lot of ways, because it was always a good weapon against vampires, and I've fought them three times now, in Philadelphia, in Camelot, and in Wandborough. Oh, and my diversionary invisibility worked when I got here--no one saw me when I entered the computer center looking for Derek."</p> <p>"Yeah, you've got a problem there," Derek injects. "You erased yourself from my boss's memory, and he's going to have to remember you to create an identity for you."</p> <p>"Yeah, well, we'll figure that out later. Not sure what else to tell you, John. There are a lot of other skills that I've used in different places, but I don't know what works everywhere because I don't try to use everything anywhere.</p> <p>"So what do you know already? Do you know any magic, or just psionics?"</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/crossing-the-galaxy-john-cross-game-continues/page/4#post-8935 Sat, 17 Jan 2009 00:05:38 +0000 JohnA1nut 8935@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>"Hi there, (extend hand to shake) I'm John. (When she takes my hand, I would kiss it, gentleman style) And who might you be?"</p> <p>(I would hope that conversation would quickly turn to our respective verser careers. Since I read the book, I see no point in you telling me anything) </p> <p>"Really? I read a book about a woman who had similar adventures. I've read that anything you can imagine exists somewhere. That the Aliens from the movie of the same title exist, and their horror shows are shows about human beings. So what are we doing? Lunch is on me, unless there are objections."</p> <p>"Miss Hastings, or should I call you Lauren? I prayed for a verser teacher some months ago, I wonder if you could be the one. At first I thought it was Derek, but he wasn't trained in the kinds of things I've wanted to learn. I've found that some psionics only work on certain worlds. I'm assuming the same is true of prayers and magic. I'd like to learn the psionic skills that work in every world. The TK pulse and mind reading are all I can get to work sometimes. What are all of the skills that work everywhere?"</p> <p>(In other words, teach all @1 and @0 psionics) </p>