Glantri has gone · Page 2

I've a couple of quick points, I think.

2@ SAL, 2@ RSV, Base Lethal weapon raised to Obliterative, base damaging raised to Annihilating.

Not sure how you got this. You're looking at a lethal weapon +2DC which is Annihilating; a lethal weapon can never be advanced to obliterative. A damaging weapon +2DC is Lethal. Real quick, the levels are:

• Annoying
• Damaging
• Dangerous
• Lethal
• Fatal
• Annihilating
• Obliterative

2@10 SAL, 2@2 BRA, Bias of 10, doubled to 20. Base chance of 72% for all weapons. 2@ SAL, 2@ RSV, Base Lethal weapon raised to Obliterative, base damaging raised to Annihilating. They're shooting from the roof of the apartment building, so I'm going to say medium range, -10% penalty. 62% chance of success.

You omitted the defensive values of your targets. One clue is if you are including a strike value there has to be a defensive value to counter it--usually target value. Oh, I see another problem. You mentioned that he had a 2@something RSV but you didn't include it in the math. 2@1 is the lowest and 2@10 the highest 2@ RSV you can have, so we're looking at something between 93 and 102 before the range modifier and target value. Then you subtract range -10 for 83 to 92, and you subtract your monster's target value ((density+agility+intuition)/3). I don't have those numbers, so I can't insert them.

You made the same oversight here:

10@3 bias, + 2@2 BRA, + Bob's 2@10 SAL, + half Bob's 2@2 BRA, + world bias of 15, - 6@1 skill. 120% chance of success, -10% for the range, 110% chance

If he is just learning how to fire the weapon at nothing in particular, range doesn't matter; if he is firing at a target his RSV is added and the target's defensive values are subtracted.

I see Mike has covered a lot of this, but covering it again isn't going to hurt.

--M. J. Young

Got the damage categories confused. I got damaging and dangerous mixed up.

I thought 2@ SAL and 2@ RSV raised it four intensities, not two.

Live and learn.

Like I said, it's my first time. Bear with me for a while.

(Doing Therapy)

Sorry for missing that. I knew it only bumped the damage category up by 2, just didn't have the list.

To the game:

I'll get up quickly, putting my contacts in and then joining the conversation.

"Sorry I seem to have gotten up later than expected. So when do we head out and get started?"

damage categories, not intensities. intensities is the actual damage. Dunno if you you mistyped or if you get mixed up, so thought I'd drop a line to be sure.

Bill: "Hey, good morning Mikey. You said you needed a welding torch to do the work to the truck? We're gonna go see Angus. He's this huge Amish farmer that lives out in no man's land. He's kind of liberal with his Amish beliefs. He sees propane and acetylene torches as just a better kind of the fire that God created, he sees modern guns as just a better version of his cap and ball rifles. He's big and scary looking, but he's the nicest guy you ever met. Good thing too, cuz I'd hate to be on his bad side...."

Ted: "Did you see that place where we picked you up? One side of the street was buildings the other was just an empty field? That's the end of the world. The city ends and Amish country starts there. We're right on the edge of a huge forest."

Then, turning to Uncle Bob he says "So what are we taking over to him?"

Uncle Bob: "You know that's between me and Angus. If he wants to show you he will. It's nothing dangerous to you, and it's not like there's any cops out there, so don't worry about it. He'll have something for you to bring back. I assure you, it will be worth your while."

Then Uncle Bob addresses everyone "So let's have breakfast, shall we?"

Then they lead you into the next apartment for a breakfast of canned soup and water.

Bill: "Hey, good morning Mikey. You said you needed a welding torch to do the work to the truck? We're gonna go see Angus. He's this huge Amish farmer that lives out in no man's land. He's kind of liberal with his Amish beliefs. He sees propane and acetylene torches as just a better kind of the fire that God created, he sees modern guns as just a better version of his cap and ball rifles. He's big and scary looking, but he's the nicest guy you ever met. Good thing too, cuz I'd hate to be on his bad side...."

"Good morning everyone, and yes the welding torch will make everything a lot easier. Angus sounds interesting, a progressive view for the amish isn't all that common I imagine. Breakfast sounds good though. Thank you for letting use stay here and eat Bob."

I'm just following Bill and Ted's lead for now.

Uncle Bob: "Hey no sweat Mike. That's what God put us here for, to help each other out. You're more than welcome to stay with us while the intercom and cameras are being installed. After that, it's up to you. You can take off and do your own thing, or you can stay with us. If you stay with us, you gotta earn your keep though."

After breakfast, Bob shows a large wooden crate, over six feet long by two feet by two feet. It's nailed shut.

Uncle Bob: "This is the delivery for Angus. How are we gonna get it out to the truck? Let's see how many zombies are outside."

(GE Roll of 12) Looking out front, the parking lot is largely clear of zombies. A few off in the distance. They're very slow moving and lethargic. Not like the running speed demons that attacked you on arrival.

Bill: "Hey Mikey, look out at the truck. You see that red lever on the back? Go out there and pull that lever down. It releases the back end. The back will open."

Then he and Ted take the crate, one at each end, and are obviously straining to carry it. Uncle Bob and the two brothers take positions on the porch with their rifles to provide cover fire if it should be required.

What all are you taking with you as far as your gear?

Everything I have fits in my backpack, and so far it seems like bartering is a must everywhere, so I'll just bring everything in my pack. I don't see a reason I wouldn't have kept it packed so it's just a matter of grabbing it as we go.

Everything is in my pact besides my guns that is. They'll be on me in the holsters, won't do me any good in my backpack will they?

I'll run over and pull the lever quickly. Don't want Bill and Ted to have to hold that box longer than normal. I'll also help them with loading it any way I can (I'd give specifics but it's the sort of thing where if there's a point where I could hold it so they could readjust I will and so on. It's just based on what I see).

We don't seem to have any agility score for you. Honestly, as long as you're reasonable about it, I don't care if you invent it out of whole cloth. Don't give yourself track star agility unless you think you deserve it, but aside from that, pick something. That goes for all of the scores, except density, which I think is 1@1 for standard humans.

(Doing Therapy)

This is one of the areas of the games mechanics that I'm very weak on. I don't know exactly how each one is described, particularly resistance but I'll fill in the ones that were blank with my best approximation

1@9 charisma
1@6 an mag
1@7 resistance
1@8 agility

The way I understand these is charisma is how charming you can be when you try to be.An mag I'm unsure at, so 1@6 is just a guess from someone who views himself on average to be above average. Resistance is the ability to resist psionic or mental persuasions. Agility is how quickly your body can react to environmental changes or actions.

This was posted from my phone so please forgive any spelling mistakes, typos, or grammar mistakes. It's not terribly easy to review my post before posting.

Unless Resistance is another automatic 1@1 score, that looks fine to me. You'll get the game post after midnight. I need to think on it for a minute or two.

(Doing Therapy)

Resistance is your resistance to poisons, diseases and magic and psionics that alter your body.

Charisma is how friendly and likable you are.

An Mag is how much attention you grab when you enter somewhere or how Awesome you are.

I think you have agility right.

I hope this helps

as I understand Agility, it is a catchall term for all aspects of dexterity not covered by Hand eye and flexibility. That would include balance and reaction, so yes, about right.

Persuasion is your ability to purposefully bend someone's outlook to match yours, or garner favors. An-mag is your presence, your ability to draw the eyes of the crowd as you enter a room, etc. Charisma is the catchall for other social situations.

Resistance is usually 1@8 if you have all your vaccinations, more if you are particularly hardy (in terms of toxins and illnesses).

Thanks Brock. So I'm taking that up to 1@8, if Mike has no objections.

Since it was nighttime when you arrived, and now it's broad, early morning daylight, you can see your surroundings much better. The parking lot is sparsely filled with abandoned cars, parked haphazardly here and there. The pavement is cracked and not well maintained, in spots, there are weeds growing up through the cracks. The apartment building is three stories tall, more or less a cube in shape. There's a dozen or so such buildings in a straight line. You know from being inside that there are eight apartments to a floor. Four front doors on this side, four front doors on the other. On either side of the building are a pair of painted white, rusted metals staircases leading up to painted white rusted metal landings for the top two floors. So why did you go on the roof to shoot? Because I wasn't yet finished designing the building..... The roof is covered with solar panels, and there are solar panels on some of the sides as well. To the back of the building is what's left of a picket fence, with most of the boards removed. The same boards you saw nailing the windows shut, now that you think about it. Beyond the fence is a field which extends for about a quarter of a mile, then into a thick woods, which goes in either direction as far as the eye can see. To the front of you is a more suburban neighborhood. It looks like it was a run down section of town even before the zombies took over. The truck is parked about 60 feet from the door, at a right angle to it, so that you are looking at the truck's broadside.

Bill has his shotgun slung over his shoulder, and Ted has his pistol, a 22 caliber target pistol, in a holster on his right side.

When you get to the truck, Bill and Ted have covered almost a third of the distance. As you're reaching for the red handle to open the back, however, you hear what sounds like tree branches creaking, blowing in a breeze. What's odd about it is that there are no trees around in the front. What's even more odd is that it seems to be slowly and methodically moving closer towards the back, around on the far side of the truck.

(Doing Therapy)

Thank you both for the descriptions. I didn't have them completely straight in my mind.

I had agility set straight, but think I confused all 3 of the other slightly.

Resistance I messed up because I didn't realize the basis for someone who was well vaccinated was 1@7. I have all my vaccinations on top of the fact that I almost never get sick. It has been over 6 years since I've had a flu or noticeable cold symptoms. With the better description I'd say I'm probably 2@1 in that area.

An Mag I think I had close enough. I'm not the type of person who draws attention without my actions. The attention I get is based on my actions not my presence. I actually think 1@4 would be more appropriate, I blend in pretty well in my opinion.

At the same time I think I underrated myself in charisma as part of it I thought qualified as An Mag. I'm very good at getting attention from people and winning them over. It's very rare for me to meet someone that I can't make smile or laugh and have a good time. As such I'd say my charisma probably should have been 2@1.

I know you had mentioned earlier that I could cut this from whole cloth, but having what I have in mind and what is represented on paper helps me with my roleplaying.

If you don't mind appending the above John I would suggest:
2@1 Charisma
2@1 Reistance
1@4 An Mag
1@8 Agility

If this is too problematic or rubs you the wrong way feel free to just keep the previous set.

::edit:: I crossposted, sorry John. Please respond to this before I respond to game post.

As I said, cut it from whole cloth if you think the stats are reasonable. If you think those are reasonable stats, that's good enough for me. I'll amend my information. I'm pretty easy going. My focus is to learn to referee. Why bother with trivialities like if your stats are accurate, ya know?

(Doing Therapy)

Thanks John, it just gives me better piece of mind knowing it's what I have envisioned as my character.

I'll pull the lever and then draw both of my pistols and circle around the truck to see on the other side. I'll be moving more back than I am to the side so that when I can see the other side I'm not directly on top of a zombie if one is standing close on the other side of the truck.

"I think we have some creakers over here! Hurry up guys!"

I'll say that as I'm circling.

If I see creakers there I'll start shooting. If there are more than one I'll shoot the closest one first.

I wouldn't have said anything about the stats unless you gave yourself all 2@10 scores, then I would start asking questions. If you think those are accurate, that's good enough for me.

How the back of a garbage truck opens is when the lever is pulled, the entire back end swings upwards and away. The back opens through spring pressure, and/or hydraulics. Inside, there is a sled, a hydraulic ram that pushes the garbage out. That's not what in this garbage truck, however.....

So, you pull the handle, the back starts opening, and you start around to the other side. You call out your warning, and hear in reply:

Bill: "Creakers?? MIKE, FREEZE!!!!!!!"

There is genuine fear and concern in his voice. He and Ted almost drop the crate setting it down. Uncle Bob and the two brothers are advancing quickly, but not running.

(Doing Therapy)

resistance would be 1@5 for someone with no vaccinations, I think. the vaccinations boost it by 3. so, without vaccinations, Glantri would have 1@8, but he has them, so...

I freeze and brace myself to run. I'll keep my guns in hand, ready to take whatever action Bill tells me to do.

If you're just following Bill's lead, then I'm going to narrate some of your actions for you. All you're going to do for the most part is stand in one spot then get in the truck. If you want to amend it with your next post, feel free.

So you're standing behind the garbage truck, the back is open, and the creaking sound is slowly and steadily moving closer. If you look into the back of the truck, you will see six flat screen LCD computer monitors, three on each side. Folded up underneath each one of these are two flat boards, which are on hinges. You surmise that they could be folded down to make some sort of desk to sit at the computer monitor. There are all manner of communications equipment, HAM radios, CB radios, etc. Coming from the roof of the truck are about a dozen whip antennas, and even a small satellite dish. Two hammocks hang down from the ceiling. All kinds of loose cables and miscellaneous equipment is on the floor. Two boxes marked "Food" and a few more marked "Ammo". There is a faint smell of garbage.

Bill is gesturing for you to move to the side of the truck, and everyone else seems to be headed there. You move there too. As you watch around the corner, a humanoid creature walks past. It looks like a perfectly carved statue of Arnold Schwarzenegger, carved out of fresh wood. Greenish tinge to the skin, as fresh growing wood would be. If not for the fact that it was moving, you probably would think it to be a wooden statue. A huge, hulking figure, looking very mean and incredibly tough.

After it passes about 20 feet, Uncle Bob drops to one knee, and takes aim with his rifle. Two shots ring out "BLAM BLAM" and you watch as the zombie's legs disconnect at the knee from where Bob's bullets impacted. The zombie falls over forward, flailing. Then, Bill, Ted, and the two brothers grab the crate and quickly load it into the back of the truck. When Bill gets back, Uncle Bob says "Would you kindly show this imbecile why we DON'T run up on them in the daytime?" Bill looks at him with understanding. Then, the three survivalists head back to the apartment, and you, Bill and Ted get in the truck.

Once in the truck, Bill says "Dude, that was monumentally stupid what you just did." Then he starts the engine and flips a switch on the dashboard. The back closes with a satisfying 'THUNK'. Then Bill puts the truck in gear, and backs it up over the still flailing zombie. A crunch of wood splintering is heard, and the back tires on the right side lift, then the front tires, as they roll over the body. After rolling backwards an additional 20 or so feet, you sit and watch.

The Creaker is laying crushed on the ground. Its legs still severed by Bob's bullets, the back caved in along the spine, the skull is crushed. The wooden skin is cracked and broken. There is a black tire track running up its back, the length of the spine.

Bill looks at you and says "It's dead, right? WRONG!!! Watch."

And as you watch, tiny green vines grow from the severed limbs, and more from the legs. These find each other and reattach, pulling the legs back to the body, lining them up and connecting them. The back reforms, filling out to its original shape, the crushed skull reforms. The cracks heal, slowly but visibly. After about 10 or 15 minutes, the creature rises to its feet and walks away as though nothing had happened, the tire track on its back the only remaining indication of its ordeal.

Bill: "They can all do that, but only in the daytime. You have to hunt them at night. If you had run around like you were going to, there would have been 32 hits. You shooting it 30 times, then it hitting you and you hitting the ground. I don't think everything Uncle Bob has would be enough to kill one of these things in the daytime."

He then puts the truck in gear and drives away.

"Sorry, I thought all of the zombies were weaker during the day. Guess I was wrong. Do creakers more fast at night though and are they as stupid as the rest? Has anyone tried poisoning them with weed killer? Maybe as some point we can try that? Anyway, I'll follow your instructions, there's apparently a lot I don't know that can kill me."

Edit:
Forgot commentary.
Was Uncle Bob's rolls a skill shot or a cinematic scene that was guaranteed for this situation?

Was Uncle Bob's rolls a skill shot or a cinematic scene that was guaranteed for this situation?

He and Richard are both 3@ experts with their guns. (They were Special Forces) It was 2@10 for the demo because he wasn't using HIS gun, he was using one he was planning to give to you. It was a cinematic shot in this instance, but since he's an expert shooting at point blank range, I don't think he would miss. That whole scene was set up so that I could show you the capabilities of the zombies.

And to clarify, Creakers used to be bodybuilders. Since they're so tough, I had to give them the disadvantage of not being able to move without being heard. A normal person turning into a zombie doesn't creak, but then, they don't have wooden skin either. All the zombies can heal the damage like that, but you would have never heard one of them coming.

As Bill is driving, he speaks. "I guess we got some explaining to do. They ARE weaker and slower during the daytime. They also have unlimited damage repair. At night, they're faster, stronger, but it's like they're running on batteries or something. You will see them, as morning approaches, laying down to rest. The sun keeps them charged, and while in charge mode, they conserve power. Once the sun goes down, the batteries kick in. They lose the damage repair, they can be killed, but they're a lot stronger and faster. It's ironic really. During the day, when they would be weak, slow, and easy to kill they can't be killed, and at night when they can be killed, they're tougher than nails. During the day, about the best you can do is blow off their legs like Uncle Bob just did and then run like a bat out of hell while it's healing. If you listen at night, about a half hour before sunset, you'll hear people lining up at their windows to shoot these things, and take their last best chance to put them down for good. I don't know if anyone ever tried weed killer on them. We'll have to try that."

JOHN!!!! STOP!!!! NO MORE TILL MIDNIGHT!!!!!!!!

Glantri, I think between us, we could keep this running nonstop.

How does Multiverser handle aiming at body parts? Knee shots during the day being the only effective thing for instance. A heavy negative sit-mod to hitting and a reduced amount of damage it can take as it's strictly trying to take out the kneecaps not the entire zombie? Or is it a skill which gets a benefit from the ability to use the gun?

If this question is already answered I'm perfectly happy being told it's already answered, as my character wouldn't know the answer. Otherwise was figuring we should talk it out before it matters

"Do they regenerate like that on really cloudy days too? Either way we can figure that all out later, we've got enough to handle today. I have a bunch of ideas though, but that's not for today."

Probably could run it nonstop, but this seems to be a good pace so far. I think we've both learned a lot so far, I've been making my own cheat sheet for when I run a game.

Just so you know, I try to post as soon after the 1 hour mark as possible to give you as much time as you like to compile your part.

How does Multiverser handle aiming at body parts? Knee shots during the day being the only effective thing for instance. A heavy negative sit-mod to hitting and a reduced amount of damage it can take as it's strictly trying to take out the kneecaps not the entire zombie? Or is it a skill which gets a benefit from the ability to use the gun?

I think that the best answer to that is they aren't really terribly practical unless you are especially good. That might be a flaw in the system, or it might be a recognition of reality.

What you are trying to do is create an effectively incapacitating attack by targeting a small area. However, targets smaller than three square feet take increasing penalties, up to -58 for targets smaller than one square inch. That reduces your chance to hit and your maximum damage. So if we figure that a knee is is about twelve square inches (might be on a large leg), that's -46 to hit the knee. For fairness, you get a two-tiered roll--there will be a dual chance to hit, with the larger area probably being about twice that to include parts of legs, -34, but with a damage category penalty if you miss the intended target and hit the general target.

The problem is that to do an incapacitating attack, the final amount of damage must be at least 10 intensities and the defender's chance of being incapacitated by such a hit is only a percentage equal to the amount of damage done. Thus if you hit the knee, you have to hit it hard enough (with the reduced chance to hit creating reduced damage) to do at least ten intensities of damage for there to be a 10% chance of crippling the knee. Damage amounts less than ten intensities are always considered general damage; damage intensities of ten or greater may always be considered potentially crippling, in which case the referee should roll on hit locator to determine where the crippling injury occurred unless the called shot indicated the location.

But then, most targets are killed on fifteen intensities of damage, so for most targets an effort to do at least ten intensities and so incapacitate is probably a wasted effort.

The called shot then only makes sense if

1. The shooter is very good, such that he has high probability of success even after the penalties, and damage category penalties atop that.
2. The weapon is powerful enough to make it matter, and
3. the target is tough enough that a ten-intensity incapacitating shot doesn't almost kill it anyway.

Note concerning the third that such a target probably has a 2@ (or better) damage value, which means that you would have to do 20 intensities on the shot in order for there to be ten after reduction for damage value.

You can create incapacitating special maneuvers, but these are restricted to martial arts styles, and so you would have to be using the gun as a martial arts weapon.

--M. J. Young

Knee shots during the day being the only effective thing for instance.

"Do they regenerate like that on really cloudy days too? Either way we can figure that all out later, we've got enough to handle today. I have a bunch of ideas though, but that's not for today."

I'm treating the out of character comment as an in-character question, just because that's how I feel like responding to it.

Bill: "I didn't say knee shots was the 'only effective thing.' I said it was 'about the best you could do.' If you got mad gun skills like Uncle Bob, yeah, sure, blast their knees. I wouldn't try it, I don't know many people who would. I've heard about people doing all kinds of things. I've even heard about people who claim they killed these things in broad daylight. I'm not sure what all to believe. I'd really like to catch one and lock it in a dark room for a few days and see how long it takes their batteries to die. Turn this truck into a rolling deathtrap. Cloudy days affects them, but not so much that you would really notice. What we've learned about them so far is mostly just been lucky rolls of the dice, if you know what I'm saying."

Ted: "Somethings we can tell you is that they can only reattach severed limbs. They can't regrow them. If we had moved that thing's legs 10 feet, it's nickname would be Stumpy. I didn't feel like getting that close to it, did you? You asked if wood burns. Of course wood burns. Fresh wood doesn't burn very well. That's what we told you. We never said "zombies" didn't burn. Setting them on fire works. That's usually the way most people who claim they iced one in the daytime said they did it. But then you got a flaming zombie running around lighting things up. Not a really smart move, ya know? You gotta pay attention to what we tell you."

Bill: "So, we gotta really long drive ahead of us. Anything else you want to know? Oh yeah, and when we pass the junkyard, remind us to tell you about Angus. He's a really nice guy, he'll give you the shirt right off his back. He's kinda quirky though. He's got 'house rules'. Break them, and he might show you his sledgehammer up close and personal."

Ted: "Bullets do hurt them, but it's like shooting into a tree trunk. You can knock them down, that 9 you got wouldn't have done it. Hunt at night and you shouldn't have any problems."

So you're driving through a suburban area. You see zombies here and there. All of them lethargic and slow. Occasionally you see other refugees walking, some driving, almost all with guns. You turn onto a back country road, and are driving past fields and forests. Not many zombies out this way.

(Doing Therapy)

"Has anyone ever captured a zombie for testing? I doubt it'd be easy but if we manage that it would not only tell us how long their charge runs but allow us to test what can kill them. I can't think of any other questions to ask for now, so how about you give me the run down of Angus's house rules, and I'll work on committing them to memory."

That's immediately. When gat the back country road I'll ask:

"Why aren't there as many zombies here? Do they stay in the city more?"

When we pass the junkyard I'll then recount what I remember of the house rules to Bill and Ted and have them correct me where I'm wrong, if I'm wrong anywhere. This is just to make sure I don't misunderstand at all.

Bill: "I do know Angus has killed quite a few of these things. His wife is into herbal medicine. They've done some things. He can probably tell you things we can't. As far as the house rules, we take shipments of things from Uncle Bob over to Angus a lot. Sometimes he shows us, sometimes not. Usually not. Sometimes Angus gives us stuff to take back to Uncle Bob. From what little I have seen, he could arm a small country. And he's practically got one. He's got about a dozen kids, some boys, some girls, ages from about 4 to about 17. Don't go anywhere that Angus doesn't take you. Don't go into his house, don't go near his barn. If you didn't go there with Angus, don't go there at all. Don't look around too much. Like I said, he's got stuff hidden."

Ted: "Yeah, I got lost out there once. I got kinda close to his barn. Angus threw a hatchet at me. I'd like to hope he missed on purpose..... I could have sworn I saw a Humvee in that barn, but if you mention that to Angus, you're walking home. And that's not even considering what Angus would do. Oh yeah, and if you like having your fingers where they are, keep them off of his daughters. Don't even look too hard if you can help it. Just don't stray more than 10 feet from us, and you should be OK."

Bill: "Ya know, I never really thought about why there were fewer zombies out this way. I think they're probably scared of Angus. As far as catching one, I'm sure people have. Angus probably did."

Oh yeah, and you just drove past the junkyard.

(Doing Therapy)

Two

I just want to make sure we're communicating. I read exact words. I answer with exact words. I try not to read things in, and I don't want things read into what I'm saying. For example, translating "The best you can do" into "The only thing which is effective." Noooo. There's a lot which is effective, but if you have the skills and need to cripple one quickly, the best way is to blow out their knees. And, as MJ explained, and I didn't fully realize, it's also likely to do nothing more than infuriate the zombie, so you better leave that one up to Uncle Bob and company. It's far from being "The only thing which is effective." See what I mean?

I didn't realize you were misunderstanding me until you made that comment, and it's a lucky thing you did.

(Doing Therapy)

I know how you've said to read your writing, but it's very inorganic, so it's not going to always come across clear even when trying to read it that way. It's not that big of a problem. I wasn't misunderstanding you currently though, I was asking for the furthering of my knowledge.

You're characters will lose a certain dimension if you make them all talk in a literal sense. Most of the world uses figurative speech. Not saying to try changing it as a priority task, but making characters distinguishable from one another is a difficult task sometimes, and speech patterns are sometimes a great way at approaching that.

Also, keep in mind I don't speak in exact words as you say. I haven't had an issue being misunderstood though, so I don't see it being a problem.

"Ok, so since we're passing the junkyard now lets see if I remember the house rules ok. Don't go anywhere I'm not brought, don't look at his daughters the wrong way and definitely don't tough them, don't pry about what's in the box, and don't look around too much."

Like I keep saying, it's my first time running a world. I just want to make it as pleasant for everyone as I can. And with that in mind, we're going too fast. Next game post is after midnight, or after MJ posts, whichever comes first. I need to think on this some more.

It's very enjoyable and pleasant, just pointing out that character speech patterns is a viable option for character depth. Trying to aid in the learning process.

Thanks, I appreciate it. Character speech patterns.... Just wait till you meet Angus.

don't pry about what's in the box

Bill: "Oh no dude. We never said don't ask what's in the box. We said Angus probably won't tell us. We are definitely asking what's in the box!!!! Let's see, who's turn is it? It's your turn, isn't it Ted?"

Ted: "Nah dude, I asked last time. It's your turn."

Bill: "Nah, it ain't my turn, it's...."

In Unison: "Mike's Turn!!!"

Bill: "It's kind of a newbie initiation dude."

And I have my own reasons for it, so just work with me here.

As you approach the house, Bill honks the air horn several times. Closer to the road, you see a smaller barn next to a house. (Bill) "That's the workshop. That's where we will be." Off in the distance, you see a very large barn, the foundation easily the size of a football field. (Ted) "That's where Angus threw the hatchet at me." Scattered about, you see several large animal pens. Horse pens, cow pens, pigpens, etc. The fence is a standard wooden plank fence you would see around such a pen. About 2 feet away from that, surrounding it, is a second fence made out of welded metal rods. It stands about 7 or 8 feet tall. There is a thick layer of razor wire on these, and as far as you can tell, no way in or out. (Bill) "I wouldn't be surprised if he's got landmines around those."

Then Ted says "Can you blame the guy? Food is at such a premium. Mike, you probably won't have noticed yet, but all those refugees? I can tell you what most of them were doing. Looking for food and trying to keep away from the zombies. Angus eats like a king, man. He won't share a meal, and I doubt we will get anything other than water to drink. He's got a wife and 12 kids to look after though, so you can kinda see where the guy is coming from, ya know?"

Bill: "I know I'm not the only one around here that's sick of eating canned goods. There's not much fresh meat. Nobody hunts. I mean, who wants to go out into the woods? It's probably just the wind rattling the tree branches, you're almost certainly safe, but are you really willing to risk it, when you can probably find some canned goods in the city? I can tell you this, I'd give just about anything to get a plate of what they're eating."

They're saying this as they pull into the workshop. There stands who could only be Angus. A mountain of a man. Easily 6 feet 8 inches tall, arms the size of telephone poles, at least. He's wearing the traditional Amish white shirt and bib overalls, over an enormous belly. His salt and pepper beard hangs halfway down his chest, and extends for at least 6 inches on all sides. His salt and pepper hair is tied back into a ponytail, and is at least halfway down his back. (Imagine if MJ really let himself go) On his back, he has a leather bag. In it, is a 20 pound sledgehammer and a double bladed wood chopping ax. He also has several smaller hatchets and hammers in a tool belt around his ample gut.

When they stop, Bill flips a switch on the dashboard, and you hear the back swing open. Bill and Ted (and I assume you) get out of the truck to meet Angus.

Angus holds out his hand, and in a thick Scottish/German/Russian sounding accent says "Bill, Ted, is guud to see you mine friends. And hu, hu is dis you have broghten?"

Bill: "This is Mike. We need to use your workshop. We're gonna put some armor on the truck, can you help?"

Angus has already started walking around to the back of the truck by this time. He says "Ya, ya, of koorse yous can use verkshep. Angus vill help." Then he picks up the crate, and hefts it as though it weighed no more than a shoebox, carries over to his workbench, and motions for all of you to join him.

I know it's a lot, but I've been working on it all day. If you want to interject actions here or there, go ahead.

(Doing Therapy)

I have no problem interjecting when I need to. Don't worry about that. I don't see anything before the end where I would interject anyway.

After Bill introduces me.
"Hello Angus. It's nice to meet you."
I'll extend my hand in a gesture to shake hands. I have a nice firm handshake, I'm of the mindset that you can tell a lot about a man based on shaking his hand.

This is obviously before Angus lifts up the crate.

After getting over to the workbench.
"So what's in the box? Can we get a peek?"

I'll extend my hand in a gesture to shake hands. I have a nice firm handshake, I'm of the mindset that you can tell a lot about a man based on shaking his hand.

I wasn't planning on this, but since you insist....

Mike's strength check (12)
Angus' strength check (32) Failure

You do indeed give Angus a firm handshake. (If he had rolled just a little bit lower, he would have put you on your knees)

"So what's in the box? Can we get a peek?"

I wanted an excuse to do an attribute check, to learn. Hence, making you ask.

Mike's Charisma Check. (17 against a 2@1 charisma. A solid roll)

Angus comes towards you, pulling one of the many hammers from his belt. He pulls it back as though he is going to strike you with it. Then, at the last second, smiles a big, toothy smile, turns the hammer around and hands it to you, saying cordially, "Why not you open box for Angus?"

Bill and Ted both look stunned at this gesture, but quite obviously relieved by it.

As much as I want to show you what's in the box, I'm not going to assume that you're going to take him up on the offer.

(Doing Therapy)

"Gladly, thank you for the honor."

I'll open the crate then.

I figured a strength check was coming for the handshake, but it was important to me, success or not. Plus I doubted he was going to break my hand, people tend to show control over their strength.

I figured a strength check was coming for the handshake, but it was important to me, success or not. Plus I doubted he was going to break my hand, people tend to show control over their strength.

Angus was taking it as a personal challenge. To be honest, I was half hoping he would put you on your knees hehehe.

So Bill and Ted and Angus gather around whilst you open the box. You get the lid mostly pried off, Bill and Ted are chanting "What's in the box? What's in the box?" (To them, it's a real treat to actually get to see what they brought over)

Angus pulls the lid the rest of the way off and says "Es Em-Seexty Masheen gun. Angus es heppy!!!"

In the middle of the box is an M-60 belt-fed machine gun. (Ever seen First Blood? The gun Rambo uses in the end) At each end of the box, are four olive drab, metal ammo cans labeled "M-60 belted, 7.62X51, 250 rounds." So the gun and 2,000 rounds of ammo.

Bill: "My gawd, no wonder that thing was so heavy!!!"
Ted: "So Angus, what do you need that thing for?"

Angus "Can go deer hoonting again. Es dangerees to go en voods. Now Angus can hoont and no vorry bout zoombies no more. Angus es heppy!!!!"

Bill and Ted in unison "You're gonna hunt deer with it???"

Angus: (nods) "Ya"

Angus does indeed seem very "heppy". He turns towards the house, and calls out something completely unintelligible. A few moments later, a middle aged Amish woman comes out of the house carrying a tray with a pitcher and several glasses on it.

Angus: "Let uus toast to de guud fourtune!!"

Bill and Ted take their glasses and raise them in toast, and drink.

Bill: "Oh man, fresh apple cider!!! That hit the spot!! Thanks Angus."

Angus: "So, vat are ve doing to truck?"

"Thanks for the apple cider Angus, its one of my favorite drinks. As to the truck, I want to weld together a cow catcher grill and attach it to the front, I'm figuring on using the undercarriage of cars for this, and then a sturdy bumper on both sides and the rear, strong enough to knock out any zombies it hits without the truck getting hurt. Was thinking of specifically using car axels for this, the center would be a good place to step up to get into the truck."

So, what do you think of my portrayal of Angus? How do you think I'm doing for my first time? Part of teaching and learning is getting feedback about your work. Next game post is after midnight.