Gaming Outpost Discussions

1. 

   M. J. Young
   Moderator

   You're right, sorry on the math, I was in a hurry on Christmas.

   The bonus for religion on a holy magic skill is half of your religion SAL rounded up. Thus 1@7=17, 17/2=8.5, rounded up is 9.

   And I trust you don't mind me editing in some code to make the quote clear; it will help me if I'm looking back and trying to understand this thread later.

   John 4 has posted, and is about to find out where he is, or at least to begin doing so. Harry, Edward, John 2, and Adam are also in play.

   I'll give John 4 some information and let him make some decisions.

   Harry meets Pieter from medical, and gives a good story--the good stories are always partly true. A quick check is a quick reminder, that there was a GE 15 on how long it's going to last, which is barely favorable.

   Edward has made an interesting decision that is going to complicate things; part of that is because Eric didn't really explain what he was doing to Edward--the ritual as described requires that someone constantly fire the gun until it stops or the ritual ends, yet when he gave the gun to Edward he spoke in terms of the need to defend against demons. Eric was mistaken--the mag bias is too low in this world for demons to appear corporeally, and thus the powers of darkness must play mindgames using such magical abilities as they can squeeze through a flatlined bias. Thus Ed, having no targets, is not firing the weapon; but if he does not fire the weapon, the conditions of the spell are not met.

   On the other hand, Eric just designed this spell. His intention with the weapon is that it is a potential sacrifice, but the spell would still work without the potential sacrifice. The best answer at the moment seems to be to penalize Eric's chance of success, continue to play through the working of the ritual, and roll the dice at the end to see what happens--this particularly since Eric is not presently present to take a hand in this, and I'm not sure how much pressure he would put on Ed to do what he thought he was going to do.

   Let me recount what the demons can do:

   * Reduce Morale
   * Add Impurities
   * Manipulate Light/Darkness
   * Prevent Movement
   * Concealed Messages
   * Illusory Obscurements
   * Create Light
   * Attentions/Diversions
   * Lift object
   * Short Teleportive Hop
   * Cause Pain
   * Dependent Temporary Animation
   * Create Gases/Mists
   * Temporarily Alter Normal Abilities

   Again I note that the defenses create a -54 penalty against all their efforts, which put them between 6% and 26% on successes.

   Let's go for a lift object; there's probably a baptismal font in the chapel, and it will have a metal lid which would make for a poor weapon, but there's not much else available. (I think the crucifix would have another -10 protection on it, as would several other consecrated objects, so the demons need to go for objects that are not themselves particularly significant.) 03 means they got hold of something. Let's see how Edward reacts to this.

   All right, John 2 is starting to think in terms of how to be serious about prayer. He attempts again to bless his project, this time doing several things that should amplify his chance of success.

   • Time: five minutes, instead of one minute, means doubled to two, doubled to four, and another quarter doubling above that, +23.
   • Body involvement: kneeling by the bed is full body involvement, +15 for that.
   • Location: this apparently must be done in the bedroom or present domicile of the caster, for which I will give an additional +10.

   The positives are 13+10+22+9+5+23+15+10=107, and the negatives -14, which comes to 93% chance of success. The roll is 24. I'm giving a flat +10 bonus for this skill (as opposed to an RS/5); in fact, I'll limit it to blacksmithing/metalworking skills and make it +20, but it's only good for the next major task. The description for the sheet reads 1@1 Bonus Blacksmithing/Metalworking Skill Checks M+1@4 retire to personal room or quarters, kneel with total body involvement, pray with appropriate words for forgiveness, wisdom, strength, and help with current task, 5:00TF, confers +20 on next major task attempted, +53SM. Now the question is, will +20 make the next task successful? The roll there is 50, and that's a pretty close roll even without the bonus, if I recall correctly. Yes, he's got the numbers to support that.

   I hadn't really considered the fact that Adam and Geneice could work together to push down larger trees than either of them could alone, and I agree that that would work, so we'll let them do it. A jungle tree that is a foot in diameter at the base will be about fifty feet high, but will branch out near the top (jungles are usually dense enough that the tall trees let the lower limbs die, as only the topmost branches get sunlight) but be thinner. He starts work, and I roll my GE roll--7, which is quite good. I don't think they know he's waiting for them.

   --M. J. Young

   Thu Dec 27 2007 4:03 am #
2. 

   JohnA1nut
   Member

   Did I get any skill marks for blacksmithing? That would be a new use on the handles. Also, what is my "magic" at?

   Thu Dec 27 2007 4:10 am #
3. 

   JohnA1nut
   Member

   For the record, I don't care what the rules call it. Praying and having faith in God is not magic. However, to be polite to the game, and to be polite to MJ, I will accept it as a rule in the game, and go along with it, with no further protests.

   Thu Dec 27 2007 9:50 am #
4. 

   M. J. Young
   Moderator

   From Dictionary.com Unabridged/Random House Unabridged Dictionary:
   

   2. the art of producing a desired effect or result through the use of incantation or various other techniques that presumably assure human control of supernatural agencies or the forces of nature.

   From American Heritage Dictionary:
   

   1 The art that purports to control or forecast natural events, effects, or forces by invoking the supernatural.
   2 a. The practice of using charms, spells, or rituals to attempt to produce supernatural effects or control events in nature.
   b. The charms, spells, and rituals so used.
   .
   .
   .
   adj.
   1. Of, relating to, or invoking the supernatural: "stubborn unlaid ghost/That breaks his magic chains at curfew time" (John Milton).

   From Online Etymology Dictionary:
   

   c.1384, "art of influencing events and producing marvels," from O.Fr. magique, from L. magice "sorcery, magic," from Gk. magike (presumably with tekhne "art"), fem. of magikos "magical," from magos "one of the members of the learned and priestly class," from O.Pers. magush, possibly from PIE *magh- "to be able, to have power" (see machine).

   From Wordnet by Princeton University:
   

   adjective
   1. possessing or using or characteristic of or appropriate to supernatural powers; "charming incantations"; "magic signs that protect against adverse influence"; "a magical spell"; "'tis now the very witching time of night"- Shakespeare; "wizard wands"; "wizardly powers" [syn: charming]

   noun
   1. any art that invokes supernatural powers

   From Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary (Beta Version):
   

   noun
   (the charms, spells etc used in) the art or practice of using supernatural forces

   I somehow think that the case is pretty strongly made that if you call upon The God, you have called upon a god, and the difference between holy magic that calls upon a god and that which calls upon The God is a matter of degree, not kind.

   I think you would agree that if Scott called upon Eris or Harry called upon a historically pagan god, that they were doing magic. It is arrogant to suggest that their prayers are different in kind from yours, even if I personally agree that you are calling upon the true and supreme God and they at best on created spirit powers with derived authority.

   That which accomplishes its objective by power from beyond the natural world is properly called supernatural, and that which is supernatural is properly called magic or magical.

   The question is whether you can make words mean whatever you want, as Alice says to Humpty Dumpty. The answer is, what the words mean is what the words mean, and if we are to communicate, we must agree on what the words mean.

   --M. J. Young

   Thu Dec 27 2007 9:24 pm #
5. 

   JohnA1nut
   Member

   It's semantics, I know. I just keep thinking of Simon the Sorcerer trying to buy the power of the Holy Spirit from the apostles. It's just semantics, nothing worth arguing over very hard.

   Thu Dec 27 2007 9:31 pm #
6. 

   M. J. Young
   Moderator

   I'm looking at Harry, John 2, and Adam, and my rehearsal was just delayed a tad, so maybe I can get through some of that.

   Harry's GE roll means his eyes will improve overnight, but it will be a few more hours before they're normal. I think, too, that the storm will have passed. The problem is, they have no idea where they are--but we'll get to that soon enough.

   John 2 is praying again, but leaving out the details. We'll have to get some of those.

   The question for Adam is whether he can pull of a successful ambush with two hundred men and a good head start. He's got the best ambush skill anyone could have, and he rolls 29.

   I'm done for now.

   --M. J. Young

   Fri Dec 28 2007 2:32 am #
7. 

   M. J. Young
   Moderator

   Well, John 4 is stepping away from a barely started game, which puts Robert early in play, then Harry, Edward, John 2, Adam, and Graeme, who is rather busy traveling apparently.

   My note to John 4 explains that he can continue whenever he likes.

   Robert is now exploring the mall area.

   Harry gets started on his new day.

   Edward is getting some action, but I'm not certain what he's shooting, so I'd better ask.

   In an odd twist, as of last night I am the perhaps proud owner of a used Leatherman tool--which means I've a much clearer notion of what John 2 is attempting, and it's still extremely difficult. Yes, I think I will give him a skill mark for making that handle--I don't think there are many blacksmithing tasks that would require that sort of work. That puts him at +3, which will make him rather happy. I need to roll for whether this prayer of thanks and continued blessing will work, and given how thin the ritual is, 66 is no.

   One way to handle big battles is to use General Effects Rolls, giving thought to how they balance--a good roll in desperate situations is not usually a victory, but only a significant improvement in the situation, and a bad roll in excellent position is not defeat but heavy losses or problems. Adam rolls 23, nearly as bad as anticipated, so he's not going to get his easy win.

   Graeme rolls 09 on the first language "potion", and so he's got his language ability.

   --M. J. Young

   Sat Dec 29 2007 8:07 am #
8. 

   JohnA1nut
   Member

   Carry that Leatherman everywhere. Once you start doing that, you will be amazed at how often you need to use it. What all tools are on it if I may ask? Also, is it an actual Leatherman? There are a lot of knockoff tools that are similar. If it is an actual Leatherman, it will say "Leatherman" on the side.

   So if I'm at +3, my next skill mark puts me at 2@1 right?

   Sat Dec 29 2007 8:11 am #
9. 

   johnosevens
   Member

   I just wonder if my constant use of TK Pulse (basically using it like a long arm every chance I get) and Influence Luck (in nightly bursts) have gotten me any marks on those over the... what... two weeks I've been in-Verse on the Mary Piper, or if learning all the skills of Navigation has filled my brain with stuff instead.

   Sat Dec 29 2007 2:15 pm #
10. 

    M. J. Young
    Moderator

    Regarding the Leatherman, no, it is stamped "China" inside the handle, but does not bear a brand name anywhere I can see. I have used it once since I got it. The plier jaws are a snubbed long-nose with a rounded gas-pliers-like grip section and a recessed cutter near the hinge. There are four blades in each handle. One handle contains

    1. ~2" pointed cutting/carving blade
    2. ~1" pointed cutting/carving blade
    3. what appears to be a small standard screwdriver which might actually unlock standard interior home doors, but not fix eyeglasses
    4. old style bottle opener with standard screwdriver blade ending, the hook does not look terribly effective, but how often do you encounter that type bottle anymore anyway?

    The other handle contains

    1. standard can opener blade
    2. Phillips Head or cross-point screwdriver blade, probably a #1
    3. a blade I cannot identify, about an inch long, flat and thin, similar to the small standard screwdriver but that the tip is not straight; it's been suggested that it might be a leather awl, but it is neither sharp nor cylindrical; my best guess is that it's for cleaning fingernails
    4. combination double-cut file, 2.5" ruler, and fish scaler, a bit blunt compared to most I've seen.

    Harry, two weeks is not sufficient time to see measurable increases in skill ability level, and at level one a skill mark and an intensity increase are the same amount. You will increase skills in time.

    With that, let me turn my attention to the game. John 4 is back in action, along with Harry, Edward, John 2, Adam, and John 1.

    John 4 is returning to play with some questions, but I'm not quite prescient enough to answer questions before they're asked, so I'll have to prompt him for the questions.

    Harry is starting to move back toward business as usual, apart from the fact that the ship is lost, and it's navigation's job to find her.

    Edward is trying to find a target; he fires single shots from an Uzi, specifically aiming around, not at, the floating object. His rolls are 60 and 83, but as there's nothing to hit these count simply as whether he put the bullet in the general area intended, and both rolls seem good enough for that. The unseen enemy rolls 34 for controling his object, which is too high for him to do anything against the defenses he must overcome.

    John 2 rolls 38 on his blacksmithing skill; I'm going to let him drill two aligned holes with one successful roll, but he has to roll again for the other pair. 11 is a weaker success, but still a success. He is moving on to healing skills, but I need more information for those.

    I think Adam just might be inviting me to verse him out of this world. He is rushing out from cover to engage the enemy troops, making himself the most prominent visible target for maybe three hundred fifty trained soldiers. In his favor, they are currently retreating for cover; on the other hand, they don't have that far to go. I can't believe it--he just rolled a 4 on a GE roll, well beyond hopes or expectations. Even so, I don't see him surviving--he'll kill over a hundred enemy troops himself, and get his soldiers moving, but with the several thousand bullets that will come directly at him within that minute, plus the other weapons that the enemy can bring to bear in that time, he's not going to survive.

    He rolls 15 on his flexibility check, which moves him to stage 3; Geneice is making her first trip, so she's at stage 1 automatically. Horus has not been mentioned for a while; I'm assuming he's back in London. His flex check is 19, and a hawk probably has a 1@10 flexibility anyway, so I'll figure he's at stage 2, as if it mattered.

    John 1 is practicing his new skill. Since it's specifically practice, he doesn't get the advantage of knowing whether it works, but he doesn't face the risk of rolling.

    --M. J. Young

    Mon Dec 31 2007 1:34 am #
11. 

    JohnA1nut
    Member

    I had one like that. Great Neck was the brand name. Get an actual Leatherman. They're a lot better built, and worth every penny.

    Mon Dec 31 2007 1:40 pm #
12. 

    M. J. Young
    Moderator

    As my father once said about a light that never worked right that he got for opening an account at a particular bank, it was free, and worth every penny. The only reason I have the tool at all is because someone lost it, and after it went through the lost and found process it came to me; I had no control over what they lost.

    I do have some control over several games, though, as Harry, Edward, John 2, Adam, and John 1 are all in motion.

    Harry is again attempting to teach himself that telescopic vision; I think I've got numbers crunched on that in these notes somewhere--yes, there it is, 9% chance to succeed at this, rolling 88, 12, since these are twenty minute intervals I should probably do a use telescope check, too, 69 says to me that he doesn't find anything yet, 36, 82, 12, the tension is thick here, 05 is a success, 1@1 Telescopic Vision P5@1.

    I'm also thinking of giving him credit for new use, using it with the telescope, but that means rolling--and a roll of 71 says he's not going to be able to do that this time.

    Edward's demonic adversary is struggling to overcome the defenses around this place; it picked up the lid of the baptismal font, but then could not move it. It gets another turn now that Edward has changed weapons, and rolls 05, which is within its chance of success. Let's give them a 2d10+10 GE roll for whether there's another enemy yet, 25 is pretty bad, but a roll of 41 on an attentions/diversions illusion is a failure, so nothing else happens--yet.

    I need more information from John 2; hopefully we can get some clarification on this prayer.

    I would like to put Adam in a place where his magic would again be useful, and where he might possibly dabble in psionics; I would also like not to repeat myself. It sounds like it might be time to wing it. I think I've got it.

    I think John 1 would like to have an extended stretch of down time; it's not going to happen, because his GE roll is 23, but at least it's not a disaster. Let me start another adventure seed.

    --M. J. Young

    Tue Jan 1 2008 8:41 am #
13. 

    M. J. Young
    Moderator

    I'm taking our mechanics to a new thread, Behind the Screens 2008.

    I'll see you there.

    --M. J. Young

    Tue Jan 1 2008 9:54 pm #

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