Glad to have helped you feel more comfortable with the way Multiverser handles guns.
"This looks great, thank you."
I'll get some cereal too and then eat. I'll eat the cereal with the sausage and bacon as a chaser. I dislike powdered milk too so don't want that taste in my mouth too long.
do pardon the intrusion, but it seems play has suspended temporarily, and i'd just like to mention that jams are mentioned in the text of the rulebook, in combat under relative failure as a possible boch result during combat. the general idea is that when your gun jams, you have the temporary loss of that attack form - personally i would treat that as "you have lost time out of the minute clearing the jam that you could have spent aiming and firing (in some cases just firing) and you will be penalized some or all of your attacks in this round (or the next, if it's the last attack of the round)," unless the character could point to some quick jam-clearing skill to counteract the fact; just as someone using martial arts who botched might fall on the ground, lose their attacks for the round, and need to spend the next room getting up, unless they had positional combat skill or quick stand. just to present my two cents, please forgive me. post script: in the second to last sentence i said "... spend the next room getting...." room was intended to be "round"
That's very much the way I was interpreting jams, and what I was trying to say earlier.
Intrusions are more than welcome in this thread, it's supposed to be a learning experience for John, who I believe currently is at a loss for where to take the story or has writers block. So while it's not really suspended it isn't progressing at a set pace.
What Mike Said.
Two
Actually Mike, I have somewhere to take the story, but in order to do it, we have to cheat. We have to rewind time to when you first woke up. If that's cool with you, we can do that. Sorry it's taking so long, but I just get stymied easily. That's why I'm not a writer. Up to this point, I had the story pretty much written. Beyond this, I'm at a loss. Is rewinding time to when you first woke up cool with you?
(Doing Therapy)
Go ahead, rewind it to whenever you like.
Thanks. I took Bill and Ted out, and I can't do that. They're my go-to characters for story development.
So you're asleep on the couch, Bill shakes you to wake you up saying:
"How's it going royal ugly dude?"
Ted: "We're gonna go gas up that pickup. You wanna come?"
(Dextroland)
don't feel bad, john, many referees have done the exact same thing before -- you wake up and it turns out all of that stuff which happened (and sometimes it could be a few worlds) turned out to be a dream. it's a nice way to explore alternate paths in character development; as long as both player and referee agree, it's completely acceptable, and as long as both player and referee have fun, it's encouraged.
I know I'm a little early on the hour response time but about to head into work, hope its ok.
"Good morning, although I object to be calling royal anything"(said with a chuckle)
"Sounds good to me, I'll follow your lead."
I'll grab my guns and follow them. Leaving my backpack.
Also, in case I hadn't mentioned it I never have problems working with a referee to get around a story road block. Let me know whenever you need help or advice, I think I may have underplayed my experience level earlier. I know a lot of work arounds and I agree whole heartedly with what kyler posted above.
So you've just woken up from a dream where Uncle Bob was serving you bacon and sausage.
I know I'm a little early on the hour response time but about to head into work, hope its ok.
I'll let you off the hook THIS TIME!!! (laughing because it's funny)
"Good morning, although I object to be calling royal anything"(said with a chuckle)
"Sounds good to me, I'll follow your lead."
Bill: "Funny, most people object to being called ugly, not royal."
I'll grab my guns and follow them. Leaving my backpack.
Also, in case I hadn't mentioned it I never have problems working with a referee to get around a story road block. Let me know whenever you need help or advice, I think I may have underplayed my experience level earlier. I know a lot of work arounds and I agree whole heartedly with what kyler posted above.
Thanks I was a little bit worried about that. Whole worlds as dreams? I think that's what my character is thinking at the moment.....
(Dextroland)
A neat way to handle dreams is to have gradually more ridiculous things creep into play, until one of them ends up killing the verser, which wakes him up with a start. It takes extra posts but can be a lot of fun. I wouldn't exactly suggest using it just to use it, but using a few extra posts to make it feel a little less like an emergency button is something I tend to do.
Not really anywhere to go with the conversation with Bill, it was a quick one liner response that pretty clearly shows a decent self confidence. A small subliminal point was conferred that I don't believe I'm ugly and managed to return the joke in good order, just going to follow them for refilling the trucks.
Uncle Bob is in the next room. He's cooking over a propane camping stove. Bacon, sausages, something resembling scrambled eggs, and there's a cake of unusual looking bread on the counter.
Uncle Bob "Good morning Mike!!! You guys gotta get that truck gassed up so we can get the work done on the building. I made some scrambled egg and bacon and sausage sandwiches for you guys to take. The eggs are powdered, and it's sawdust bread, but we used to make them all the time in Nam. Not bad."
Bill and Ted take a couple of sandwiches. The bread is coarse, sweet, with a slight pine/maple taste. Sawdust bread is exactly what it sounds like, after all.
Bill "We're gonna drive until we run that truck out of gas, then heel-toe it the rest of the way. We'll bring back some gas cans. You in Mike?"
Ted: "You do realize this means we gotta deal with Campbell again, right? That guy gives me the creeps."
I think I figured out where to take the story.
(Doing Therapy)
Uncle Bob "Good morning Mike!!! You guys gotta get that truck gassed up so we can get the work done on the building. I made some scrambled egg and bacon and sausage sandwiches for you guys to take. The eggs are powdered, and it's sawdust bread, but we used to make them all the time in Nam. Not bad."
"Good morning. Looks good, thank you."
Bill "We're gonna drive until we run that truck out of gas, then heel-toe it the rest of the way. We'll bring back some gas cans. You in Mike?"
"Of course I'm in Bill. Lead on"
I'll obviously be following Bill and Ted then.
Ted: "You do realize this means we gotta deal with Campbell again, right? That guy gives me the creeps."
"So who is this Campbell guy?"
Bill: "Campbell is, er, I mean, Campbell was a Mormon Missionary. You know those guys that go door to door 'Have you ever heard of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints?' right before you slam the door in their face? Yeah, one of those guys. The Mormon Church is about the only remaining semi-governmental body. They had all of their members stockpiling food and gasoline. They control the gas supply to this area. Campbell is the guy we have to talk to."
Ted: "Man, you thought Angus was strange..... At least you would know if Angus was upset. Campbell, he just seems like he could snap any minute."
So, you go out to the pickup. Bill is driving, you're in the middle, Ted in passenger seat.
GE roll 14 (I was hoping for much higher....)
You're driving along through the city. You pass refugees here and there, zombies occasionally. The truck starts to cough and sputter, running out of gas and coming to a stop.
Bill: "We're walking, but we're only a block or two from it."
You get out and start walking, coming to a large temple.
Ted: "That's the Mormon Tabernacle. Who gets to ring the bell?"
(Doing Therapy)
"I'll ring the bell if you guys do the talking"
Before waiting for a response I'll ring the bell and step behind Bill and Ted.
Bill: "You're gonna pay for that."
Then, the huge cathedral door opens, and a young man in his early twenties greets you. He's dressed in the traditional black pants, white shirt and tie of a Mormon missionary. On his belt, he has a very old Russian made revolver, an automatic pistol, and a large knife. Slung over his shoulder are 2 bolt action WW2 era rifles.
Speaking jerkily and stammering, he says
"Wh-wh-what cccccan I ddddo for you ggggguys?"
He never seems to look in one direction, always looking around aimlessly.
Bill: "Hey Campbell. We need some gas and some diesel fuel. Can you help us?"
Campbell: "W-w-well well well, I s ssee you brought a fresh recruit for the c c c cause. C c c come this way."
Bill: (Elbows you in the ribs) "I told you you were gonna pay for that."
I'll chuckle when Bill says I'm going to pay, that chuckle fading as soon as the door opens.
I'll step forward between Bill and Ted and extend my hand to shake Campbells hand:
"I've been looking forward to meeting you sir, and am excited to learn more about to cause, lead away. I'm Michael by the way."
I used to have a couple of Mormon missionaries living in my apartment complex. One of them, Elder Campbell, he was a goofball. Took it way too seriously. I could imagine him turning into this guy under the right circumstances. Also, if anyone knows anything about the Mormon church and feels the need to contradict what I say about it, DON'T!!!!!! This is MY version of Mormonism!!!!
Campbell shakes your hand. He never stops shaking, actually. Twitching, jerking (I really wish you could see the way I'd act it out.)
Campbell: "Michael? The archangel? Awesome man he was."
"Ssssso you gggggguys neeed gggggas huh? Wwwwwelll you came to the rrright place. Just gotta gggget the new guy here in in in indoctrinated sssso we can do that. You gotta join the church to get the help. JJJJJJJust the way it is."
Bill: (Whispering) "We're both "members" here. You gotta go through the ceremony or we don't get diddly. Me and Ted both did it, you gotta do it too."
Campbell leads you through the church. Spacious, ornately decorated. Cardboard boxes stacked about, some labeled "food" others "clothes" Some labeled "Ammo". Going through the building and out the back, you notice for the first time a river running along the back. Running as far as your eyes can see in both directions. There are no boats that you can see.
Campbell "IIIIIII gggggottta call CJ, yeah, CJ, CJ, he'll know wwwwwhat to ddddo. We We We can't keep ggggggas here. Too too too valuable. Hard enough just defen defend defending the food. Ggggass, we gottta keep that some some somewhere's else. First though, you gotta gotta gotta do the ceremony."
Campbell: "Michael? The archangel? Awesome man he was."
"My father named me after him, quite an inspiration to be named after one such as Michael."
I should probably point out by this point that I'm lying. I am an exceptional liar however and very very seldom ever get caught, and when I am it's because I have dozens of lies floating and two end up contradicting. Not sure if this would be a skill roll worthy instance, but if it is I'd say I'd have a very high SAL in it, I lie for fun as part of a mental competition sometimes, so I get a lot of practice. I find it easy to dissociate myself from the truth when I need to invent a new truth.
If we are classifying it as acting, I'm slightly better than an average amateur, I spent a lot of time in drama club in high school, obviously play a lot of role playing games, and have gone to workshops on it. Probably 1@7.
If it were just a skill at lying and creating convincing stories I'd put myself at better than most professionals. I'd say probably 2@8, I could very easily see myself being a conman if morals were lower.
I'll nod slightly to Bill when he whispers to me.
"I'd be overjoyed to join the church, just tell me what I need to do and I will. So where to for this ceremony?"
To quote something, you usually use the coding < blockquote > < / blockquote > Minus the spaces. It helps set it apart. The italics are for OOC comments.
Campbell didn't have any reason to doubt you, but since you made a point of the fact that you were lying.....
Campbell: "So so so what is your favorite story about Archangel Micheal?"
He better like your answer.....
Momentary slip with the italics, meant blockquote
You probably shouldn't penalize the player for revealing something about themselves. Campbell really doesn't have reason to doubt me, if he had reason to I wouldn't be a terribly good liar now would I? But oh well, this does tend to make me less likely to be forthright if I'm seemingly irrationally penalized.
"I've never really heard the stories, so much as just the description of the Archangel Michael being God's chosen one to lead the legion of angels to prevent Satan's power. I would be overjoyed if at some point you could tell me stories of him however, if you have time that is."
You probably shouldn't penalize the player for revealing something about themselves. Campbell really doesn't have reason to doubt me, if he had reason to I wouldn't be a terribly good liar now would I? But oh well, this does tend to make me less likely to be forthright if I'm seemingly irrationally penalized.
No, you misunderstood me. I wanted to see if you really were a good enough liar to pull that off. Campbell might have asked you that question anyway. I was just being forthright in my reasoning for doing so. He never had any reason to doubt you, and it just so happens that Campbell would be satisfied with that answer. Campbell wasn't testing you, Campbell was being conversational. The referee was testing you. I was testing your ability to lie. I mean, you are claiming a professional ability at it. Am I wrong to put that to the test?
(Ya know what? That speech pattern is too hard to type, and too difficult to read. Just imagine his speech as stammering and jerky, OK?)
Campbell: "Yeah, that's a good thought. So you ready for the test? It's a secret rite of passage to join this church. You go in with me, blindfolded. I have to test your faith. Is your faith worthy of being a Mormon? Your faith in God and in me must be tested. Are you ready?"
Bill and Ted both look at you and wink. They went through it, they're OK is what they seem to be trying to communicate.
(Doing Therapy)
Ah, yes, I misunderstood. I'm more than open to the test, was my response satisfactory to you? A lot of it is in the delivery, which is why I had explained it.
"I have faith that what is to be will be, and it is not my place to question what will be."
I will follow then.
Campbell takes off his tie, blindfolds you with it, and leads you into another room. You hear the door close behind you. You hear metal clanking and bouncing around. Then, after a few moments, Campbell pulls off the blindfold. He's standing before you wearing a Leatherface skin mask and a blood-stained butcher's apron, and holding two very large meat cleavers, waving them around like a madman. He gets up in your face and screams (Without stammering)
"YOU GOTTA DO THE BUTCHER DANCE!!!!!!!!"
(I'll hold here for your reaction. And be honest about it.)
(Doing Therapy)
I'll stagger back for a second, then regain composition.
"As you say, should I have two cleavers and the same outfit however?"
If he says yes I'll don them and imitate the dance he did:
If not I'll just imitate immediately.
I've been part of some pretty bizarre initiations, I'll be shocked momentarily, but not totally unheard of.
All of a sudden, Bill and Ted burst into the room laughing hysterically. Campbell takes off the Leatherface mask, also laughing hysterically.
Bill: "You know The Butcher Dance. Butcher left foot in, butcher left foot out, butcher left foot in, and you shake it all about......"
Ted: "Campbell is an old friend of ours from high school. We just love freaking people out with this one."
Campbell: (No trace of stammering or jerky movements whatsoever) "Hi, I'm Elder Campbell. What can I do for you?" (Smiling ear to ear.)
(Doing Therapy)
I'll join in with the laughing.
"You had me going there, that entire act was very impressive, I take it you've done it a number of times before?"
"We needed gas for the truck, and Bill and Ted said we should come here for that. I also enjoy meeting new people so we're hitting two birds with one stone."
I'll be smiling throughout all of this, I love practical jokes.
"You had me going there, that entire act was very impressive, I take it you've done it a number of times before?"
If you must know, the referee decided he didn't like the Campbell character the way he was, and had to work out a way to change his personality. Stammering Campbell, the original character, was just an act, as far as your character knows.
Bill: "Yeah, we love that. We were Seniors, Campbell was a Freshman. We had to bully him, it was our divine right as Seniors. Campbell got us with some good practical jokes in return. It became sort of a one-upmanship deal. When a single Freshman beats two Seniors at practical joking, you get respect for him pretty quick."
Campbell: "So, down to business, you need some gas and some diesel huh?"
Ted: "Yeah man, we could use about 100 gallons of each, if you got it to spare."
Campbell: "I'll put in a call to CJ. He'll bring some in his boat. The deal is still good right?"
Bill and Ted in unison "Of course duder!!!"
Bill: "You give us gas, we make deliveries. You should see this sweet setup Mike did to the garbage truck man. The next zombie we ram is gonna be TOAST!!!!!"
Campbell: "I'll try to be there with you guys."
(Doing Therapy)
Fine by me, although you should know if you plan to use a stutter in the future, that's not how people tend to stutter. They talk fine until they get to a specific point then stutter on the word. A childhood friend of mine had a very bad stutter which took him a long time to overcome. You also could just tell someone that the person is stuttering frequently and has jerky inorganic movement.
"You should definitely see the truck! I'm pretty proud of the job I did. So who are we delivering to this time?"
Actually I used to stutter as a child. Sometimes it took me 5 minutes to say "Mommy". It comes back sometimes when I'm really tired.
Campbell: "Oh, no deliveries this time. We have Bill and Ted kind of on call for things like that, a few other people too. We provide food and essentials, they provide services in return."
Bill: "It's like how we make deliveries for Uncle Bob, and we get to eat some of that awesome food. It's kind of a network. Angus, Uncle Bob, Campbell, we all work together. We've got an armored car to make deliveries, they've got what we need. It all works out."
Ted: "So yeah, call CJ. He still driving that beat up fishing boat? I can't believe he hasn't upgraded that thing."
Campbell: "He figures if the boat looks cheap, no one would hijack him. So far it's worked pretty well for him, knock on wood."
Campbell goes over to a blanket covered desk, removes the blanket, to reveal a CB base radio set.
Campbell: (On the radio) "Soup Man to Fisherboy, Soup Man to Fisherboy, you got a copy Fisherboy?"
The Radio: "This is Fisherboy. What can I do for you Soup Man?"
Campbell: "We need 100 gallons of gas and 100 gallons of diesel, can you pick it up?"
The Radio: "On my way, for king and country."
Campbell: "See ya when you get here."
Sets the mike down
"Now we just wait for Fisherboy."
(Doing Therapy)
"So while we wait any chance you could tell me a story of Michael the Archangel while we wait? I like learning and it would pass the time quicker."
Quick note as someone who works with audio equipment a lot, mike tends to refer to the person Mike while mic is often how microphone is abbreviated. Both as someone named Mike and someone who works in audio equipment it's a distinction I've picked up along the way.
Look at it on the bright side. At least your name isn't slang for a toilet.
Campbell: "Just what you said. Michael led the armies of God to overthrow Satan and boot him out of the Heaven. Michael was the general of the armies of God."
GE roll 17
After about a half hour, someone rings the church doorbell. Campbell goes to answer it. It's a refugee seeking food. Campbell gives him a can of soup and a pamphlet announcing times of services at the church.
"Too bad we can't do more. The headquarters in Salt Lake is completely zombie free, so I've been told. I'd like to go there, but I've still got a mission to complete here. Just because the world falls apart doesn't mean your responsibilities to God end."
In another half-hour or so, a boat fog horn is heard from the river in the back.
Campbell: "That must be CJ. Let's go."
They all head back into the backyard to greet a decrepit looking, worn out old fishing boat. In the back are several metal drums of gas.
Campbell: "CJ is a transporter like Bill and Ted."
Then step out CJ, he too looks as old and worn out as his boat. His age is impossible to determine. He could be really old, or he could be really young and beaten by life, it would be impossible to tell.
CJ: "Here's the gas. Ran into some trouble. Some guys on a raft tried to board me. I persuaded them not to."
CJ reaches underneath the railing of the boat and produces a LAW rocket launcher (Light Anti-Tank Weapon. Bazooka, basically)
CJ "Ain't never had to fire one of these. Ain't never lost an argument when I was holding one of em neither." He says with a chuckle.
(Doing Therapy)
Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike my name, just something I notice because of my name.
"Most people who are crazy enough to argue with a man holding one of those isn't sane enough to stay around too long. I'm Michael by the way, it's nice to meet you."
I'll shake hands with CJ if he seems inclined then help Bill and Ted with the gas. As normal following their instruction so I don't step on anyones toes.
Charisma check 27
You walk over to CJ and extend your hand. He backs away from you, rather standoffish.
CJ: "Ain't nothin' personal. Just don't like bein' 'round other folks too much."
Campbell: "Well, we're just gonna get the gas and you can be on your way. Sound good CJ?"
CJ: "Yup, it's OK, you boys have a good time."
So you all unload the barrels of gas, CJ bids farewell, and leaves.
After CJ is gone:
Campbell: "CJ is OK. He's just had it really rough. Doesn't like people. He doesn't trust anyone, really. I think if he had his way, everyone else on the planet would just disappear."
Bill: "OK, well, we're gonna go gas up the pickup, and we'll see ya. Did you want to come on our next hunting trip Campbell?"
Campbell: "Oh heck yeah!!! When will you be going?"
Bill: "Not sure. Mike still have to pay Uncle Bob for those two pistols. After that, a hunting we will go!!"
Campbell: "Looking forward to it!! See you guys later."
"See you later Campbell. Was nice meeting you."
I'll follow Bill and Ted then:
"Time to pick up the materials to set up the com system then?"
I'll follow Bill and Ted then:
"Time to pick up the materials to set up the com system then?"
Eight apartments to a floor, three floors, 24 apartments. Realistic estimate how long that would take.
The gas is in 50 gallon barrels, 2 each of gas and of diesel fuel. Campbell produces a siphon and several gas cans for you to carry, go gas up the pickup, then come back and get the rest. (Unless you insist on trying to take all four barrels as they are) So you each take a 5 gallon gas can, and you're walking back to the truck. Campbell can't leave his post to help you carry it.
GE Roll 22, Not as bad as anticipated.
After you've gone about 2 blocks, with another 2 to go, four guys in black biker jackets and jeans step out of nowhere. Two have baseball bats with nails sticking out of them, one has a tire iron, and the last, a revolver.
"Hey, is that gasoline? You better hand it over."
And yes, Bill has his shotgun, Ted has his 22, and you have your pistols. However, you've also all got your hands full, there's 4 of them and 3 of you, and they don't look too bright, and might very well be drinking the gasoline instead of using it in a car.
I just feel the need to explain that. As bad as anticipated would be zombies. At least humans can be killed in the daytime, and can be negotiated with.
(Doing Therapy)
I'm not sure I can do a realistic estimate if you want hours, but it's doable in a day. A single room would probably take half an hour, and successive rooms would go quicker. Long day, but doable in a day.
We're carrying a 5 gallon gas can each, I see that as one hand, I just went outside to double check the size of a 5 gallon gas can and it's definitely one handed.
As such both Ted and I should be able to draw, which I'll do so, and while having my first out I'll lower the gas can and draw the second, making sure to keep the gun aimed on them the entire time.
How close are they?
I'm going to let Bill or Ted do the talking, not sure how they'll want to handle this.
GE Roll 21
As you're reaching for your pistol, the guy with the revolver points it at you, pulls back the hammer, and says "Don't even think about it. Look, all we want is the gas. Give that up, nobody gets hurt."
Do you still want to do that? I'm thinking not, but if so, then let me know.
Intuition check 16
1@7 RSV
2@10 SAL
11@ Bias
1@7 BRA
-10 medium range
Target value
1@1 Density
1@4 agility
1@5 intuition
-13 target value
63% chance
British 303, base lethal, raised to fatal, rolled 41, hit for 20 intensities
As you stand there, suddenly, and without warning, the guy's head explodes in a shower of fruity red Jello. A moment later, you hear a muffled BOOM!!! A rifle shot.
Bill and Ted in unison: "Campbell!!!"
Bill: "He's probably lining up on one of you others right now. You might want to get out of here."
And the other three take off running.
Ted: "We should see what else this guy has."
(Doing Therapy)
Yeah, I would have paused at the threat.
I'll visibly shudder.
"Never seen a man shot before."
I'll then help Bill and Ted check the corpse, but I'll be pretty quiet for a bit, just following direction. Nothing serious, but a little stunned. I was willing to bluff my way to him lowering his weapon but I was unlikely to ever actually shoot him myself.
Did I do the math right as far as you can tell?
GE Roll 13
The revolver is a 38 snub nose, 5 shot. He has 14 extra bullets on him. He's also got a folding lock blade knife.
Bill: "Do you want this stuff Mike?"
You then head back to the truck, pour all 15 gallons into the tank, and drive back to the Mormon Tabernacle. You go up to the door and Campbell greets you.
Bill: "Good shot there Campbell."
Campbell: "I've had dealings with those guys before. There used to be 6 of them. When will they learn? Good thing they don't know where the shots are coming from, or I'd be a dead man."
Ted: "What happened to 'Thou shalt not kill'?"
Campbell: "Actually, it says 'Thou shalt not commit murder.' Defending your friends isn't committing murder. Fine line maybe, but it's one I draw."
So you load the barrels of gas into the truck and drive off. Bill driving, you in the middle, Ted in the passenger seat.
(Doing Therapy)