tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64643829187962511242024-03-12T23:31:50.569-04:00The Chaos BeastScott Delahunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735796666483741699noreply@blogger.comBlogger1019125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464382918796251124.post-17830931106849473582023-12-26T03:00:00.001-05:002023-12-26T03:00:00.134-05:00Happy Boxing Day!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwdehuFH6-Hylpl1Ek4a7Xlf52ZmBSdMCoQ9XKs1OxXJ4KHcHqqumsKhwyi5FuQgeQjgc9QPVIY5c1H1M5jMcl8gJfo2niZ8TFHR8EbBnER6DaDbamb7VRf8VYxDzFSRsu1D3inG4F4DDlgiqBxoepwYJLQyQLdXLsdNGFLIpA_P8jH27gHMl21BidFq2/s4000/20231127_223902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwdehuFH6-Hylpl1Ek4a7Xlf52ZmBSdMCoQ9XKs1OxXJ4KHcHqqumsKhwyi5FuQgeQjgc9QPVIY5c1H1M5jMcl8gJfo2niZ8TFHR8EbBnER6DaDbamb7VRf8VYxDzFSRsu1D3inG4F4DDlgiqBxoepwYJLQyQLdXLsdNGFLIpA_P8jH27gHMl21BidFq2/w640-h480/20231127_223902.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Scott Delahunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735796666483741699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464382918796251124.post-19567025774636637142022-05-05T01:00:00.001-04:002022-05-05T01:00:00.223-04:00Le Cinque de Miaou<p> Happy Cinque de Miaou!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv38BJqu4OjFvYFDYEDhkkaJy3ezRFviEUFasdRRCBbSTkPYNEmFyHHnY4E03mlU3u1AeHClZhrHIglv2Oyt6x2Zh5YERF8jZzV0cnFeJ0D24RDWKotIQxrlg-LNECaq2z6pz2BKZccDbQh33yQwHMddeMbpQJBzBYtZmkozKQo-ILWBjmexKMcUSxDA/s4000/20220216_230243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv38BJqu4OjFvYFDYEDhkkaJy3ezRFviEUFasdRRCBbSTkPYNEmFyHHnY4E03mlU3u1AeHClZhrHIglv2Oyt6x2Zh5YERF8jZzV0cnFeJ0D24RDWKotIQxrlg-LNECaq2z6pz2BKZccDbQh33yQwHMddeMbpQJBzBYtZmkozKQo-ILWBjmexKMcUSxDA/w300-h400/20220216_230243.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ir7OoGursKR12arC65rBUHgVwTw6boA1dQFTzqfbE4pPUNWS11KLkDHDSBN3lOrDvruXAiVrjwIXDejbVnoy33Bj7-E5X50G4HqLUEpCx8xiR-bqo03RNjIyi_e0KrgLMXqSqteemBkDEsuF42FhDlUrbcga0GiDDtKFET5McEC6LVIkD2Sqfu8SiA/s2560/IMG_20220124_161543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ir7OoGursKR12arC65rBUHgVwTw6boA1dQFTzqfbE4pPUNWS11KLkDHDSBN3lOrDvruXAiVrjwIXDejbVnoy33Bj7-E5X50G4HqLUEpCx8xiR-bqo03RNjIyi_e0KrgLMXqSqteemBkDEsuF42FhDlUrbcga0GiDDtKFET5McEC6LVIkD2Sqfu8SiA/w400-h300/IMG_20220124_161543.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixF1YIr-qUCNFA5YjMk8_VEmUPOyNkzhniebE4rfIpIDlT1XcSkWZAw043gSeDOQT4Y6sx4ouSgFReoWT3ryjHhbC7EHx_5o2LoENpU4nXdM0PHZe2bdJ5RJcQkWVR_ntRnwoW3XvySPmY9LUWRhS6NKXusNMM27t4hK3rsttSAsE1U-LSTUSHDl2NCA/s4000/20211117_143116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixF1YIr-qUCNFA5YjMk8_VEmUPOyNkzhniebE4rfIpIDlT1XcSkWZAw043gSeDOQT4Y6sx4ouSgFReoWT3ryjHhbC7EHx_5o2LoENpU4nXdM0PHZe2bdJ5RJcQkWVR_ntRnwoW3XvySPmY9LUWRhS6NKXusNMM27t4hK3rsttSAsE1U-LSTUSHDl2NCA/w400-h300/20211117_143116.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8nT8VFiN7Csqv8Jebc7dmLYPs1pbxp69LgyaYevoYtj22JLAdbJ65SuOYstpk1YKnF8AAUJ5tTFTNrH5REboDxXo6W5SceByjAfNd_atgvYBDsI1240wjc4-pXaTe9QSSeo7ytyhz_KWFx8WI4WsdSbbsYv-fdKUF5THDiKyTzH3WMyCI9BlFbXBrg/s4000/20211113_111724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8nT8VFiN7Csqv8Jebc7dmLYPs1pbxp69LgyaYevoYtj22JLAdbJ65SuOYstpk1YKnF8AAUJ5tTFTNrH5REboDxXo6W5SceByjAfNd_atgvYBDsI1240wjc4-pXaTe9QSSeo7ytyhz_KWFx8WI4WsdSbbsYv-fdKUF5THDiKyTzH3WMyCI9BlFbXBrg/w400-h300/20211113_111724.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5adYBXyyHIesIC2oHSbFCVvx_zhsdUTW2ee6w1gtRV6D1wI9e7jhQX0MXZd1NKtTbGp1i7ojis3ZNmOq3UBLNSJx2psU_LghsiwKdj8m9e8R9HAAB9Zlxar7RzptQduU-EAaC2p4rvsVaNUov2nKvGfuknMts5lJ_whLG74CglZFblVMLx4G72V2FuA/s4000/20211030_141439_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5adYBXyyHIesIC2oHSbFCVvx_zhsdUTW2ee6w1gtRV6D1wI9e7jhQX0MXZd1NKtTbGp1i7ojis3ZNmOq3UBLNSJx2psU_LghsiwKdj8m9e8R9HAAB9Zlxar7RzptQduU-EAaC2p4rvsVaNUov2nKvGfuknMts5lJ_whLG74CglZFblVMLx4G72V2FuA/w300-h400/20211030_141439_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Scott Delahunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735796666483741699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464382918796251124.post-14969465173624284922021-12-31T18:30:00.001-05:002021-12-31T18:30:00.212-05:00Wrapping up 2021<p>The blog's been quiet this year. Even quieter than last year. Things both happened and didn't happen.</p><p>The year started off on a bad footing with catching COVID-19. No hospitalization needed, but even a mild to moderate case isn't fun. I wound up unable to eat for a week and a half because of a lack of energy. I lost weight, and not in a healthy way. I was able to turn myself around, but it was through soup and juices before moving to something solid.</p><p>Once past the quarantine period, I still couldn't breathe. Fortunately, the public health nurse gave me a number to call if the problem continues. I got in, explained what was going on to the doctor, and got sent for X-rays. Diagnosis: pneumonia. Easily dealt with; hospital-grade antibiotics and another month of coughing to clear the gunk from my lungs. But the X-rays found another issue. One of the side effects of COVID-19 is a hole in the lung. I had a <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pneumothorax/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350372" target="_blank">pneumothorax</a>, an air bubble outside the lung and in the chest cavity. However, the bubble wasn't large enough for the doctor to worry about, so no need to sit and have the air removed.</p><p>Fortunately, my work was willing to give me the time I needed to get healthy again. Even better, I was being moved to another team as help/backup. It took me a little longer than I wanted to adjust to the move, but <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-covid-19-brain-fog-and-how-can-you-clear-it-2021030822076" target="_blank">COVID brain fog is a thing</a> and a symptom of long COVID. Things got better as I used my brain more.</p><p>Health-wise, I felt better once I was able to get out to the laundromat to do laundry again. Getting there without stopping to catch my breath was an amazing feeling, and leads me to believe that I may have had pneumonia prior to COVID. Stubbornness was what kept me getting out and back, once I got out. I figure that I was over most of the side effects by May at the latest.</p><p>Work, which I seldom talk about here since I believe in a work/life separation, is still good. I've been working from home since March 2020. I don't miss the commute. I don't miss the rush to catch buses and, especially, transfers. And while the employer is wanting to get people back to the office, by immediate supervisor doesn't care if we go back. As long as we get the work done, it doesn't matter where we work.</p><p>What this means is that I'm not losing up to two hours a day travelling. I'm not paying for a monthly bus pass. I'm not dealing with half-assed sidewalk plowing in the winter and the heat and humidity of the summer. I can understand why some people may need to be in the office, but until then, remote work is great.</p><p>The flip side is that all my socializing has been online. It's enough, most of the time. No one ever accused me of being an extrovert. But even I start needing human interaction. Grocery runs don't count. Cabin fever isn't fun.</p><p>The year is ending on an upbeat, far better than how it started. Things are going well, with Jewel finally adapting to being around me and starting to be in control. She's allowing for longer cuddling and she will get demanding when she wants something. It's not good when she demands under the covers and wakes me up so I can get her settled.</p><p>When history looks back, 2020 and 2021 are going to be seen as the longest decades on the 21st Century. But things are looking better for me. That helps with dealing with all the crap being thrown about.</p><p>Over at <a href="http://www.psychodrivein.com" target="_blank">Psycho Drive-in</a>, looking ahead to 2022.</p><p>Tomorrow, over at <a href="http://codex.seventhsanctum.com" target="_blank">The Seventh Sanctum</a>, wrapping up 2021.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRPqDULwBP_wzRQDlwPrDXT8TlL9ju7oneR6nr1eNxhnMppdCYPC6SCIi6j6hz01cATXaxr9snXlaxMh288gB_2rcLjciHLS-lHl9uimCB4LuaUmyhJ15Zb3FXXecehSYLnNBb4CWqWiDRoFl_VvzlgmqIRRiWHOHprYeWkmG0L_owXI8Mb5ydqDdrPQ=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRPqDULwBP_wzRQDlwPrDXT8TlL9ju7oneR6nr1eNxhnMppdCYPC6SCIi6j6hz01cATXaxr9snXlaxMh288gB_2rcLjciHLS-lHl9uimCB4LuaUmyhJ15Zb3FXXecehSYLnNBb4CWqWiDRoFl_VvzlgmqIRRiWHOHprYeWkmG0L_owXI8Mb5ydqDdrPQ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A profile in Jewel</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><div><br /></div>Scott Delahunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735796666483741699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464382918796251124.post-87697683669697994132021-12-26T09:17:00.002-05:002021-12-26T09:17:09.950-05:00Happy Boxing Day!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMo3ViTvDXgrEVvDzZjdWPwzwbPNVwIPb6vR_ass3gNTRsHXqQh77s2gLVsa0tSgDZ_ZoZIEHTrTZrmNIpPiUMWwx-O6HgwPqG2bVzUhOYKNp5e8GDjEEQe4QvVjsGd2GtJy0zejmmnudO20PiGbgRDrMMB3-G6RY1AGnwL1CJSDnzWZDr0jdomF1MWg=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMo3ViTvDXgrEVvDzZjdWPwzwbPNVwIPb6vR_ass3gNTRsHXqQh77s2gLVsa0tSgDZ_ZoZIEHTrTZrmNIpPiUMWwx-O6HgwPqG2bVzUhOYKNp5e8GDjEEQe4QvVjsGd2GtJy0zejmmnudO20PiGbgRDrMMB3-G6RY1AGnwL1CJSDnzWZDr0jdomF1MWg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Scott Delahunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735796666483741699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464382918796251124.post-61597726069715127652021-12-24T18:00:00.001-05:002021-12-24T18:00:00.182-05:00NaNo 2021 - Wrapping Up<p><a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> ended November 30th. I meant to update during the month, but I got into the flow of writing. I managed to get Lost in Translation out during this time as well, with a post every weekend. How did I feel afterwards?</p><p>First, at the end, I had a complete story, the first in a while. Typically, I either have a serial, thus no planned ending, or I have a story that has reached the word count but not an end. Not this year; the story, <i>On Thin IC</i>, wrapped up around 50 000 words. It needs editing, of course, and there may be more details added in to break up the dialogue, but it is a complete story. With days to go, I also got a start on a second story, <i>The Courier</i>, letting me get a start on a story idea I've been playing with for a while.</p><p>Next, I didn't feel drained. I had completed a marathon with creative energy to spare. I credit writing <i>Lost in Translation</i> weekly (or close to it) for allowing me to get words out and be able to recharge again for the next day. Daily word counts were fairly steady; I didn't have any days over 5000 words, but I could sustain over 1667 words per day for multiple days in a row. This came in handy when I fell behind in the early days. The first Saturday of Noivember, I was a clinic to get me to get my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination, and that left me out of sorts for the rest of the afternoon. Perseverance is something I picked up during NaNo, so getting back up to speed and ahead wasn't a problem.</p><p>Helping was not having to commute. Taking the bus is exhausting in Ottawa. The system is unreliable; buses do not shot up when scheduled and can go missing completely, and this isn't taking into account the lemon of an LRT Ottawa has. Working from home means the commute is fast with the only traffic being Jewel wanting her morning treats. With zero mental energy being used by the commute and having the commute time available to relax after work before diving into writing, getting into the writing flow wasn't a problem.</p><p>Did I have an idea of what I was doing? About the same as previous years, meaning I had characters, a general plot, and a direction with no planned ending. This time, though, I could see when the story wanted to wrap up. What helped was an antagonist who wasn't willing to be shoved aside early in the narrative. Too bad I wasn't expecting him; he could have used a name. But without this nameless blood mage, I wouldn't have had a more personal ending. The characters are available for a sequel if I want, but their first story is done.</p><p>NaNo 2021 was fun, and getting my sixteenth win felt great. Give it a try!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgucyBi53aDE0lM3GClnr4o-z--G8GXBXGqtPUXHokmII1f6AkSOPXJTSXlaJj7OCT-Jol082UOnhYjj7D_W-Q9GRPYJvTwJRKStA0L4A3-jU3sFkdzu0ed3IIvk51kHE3kA6XYrny71nxzxmzOk0auLK9_zd3k9pzl7jxMZzNOtuN-nvYfvDBqgDlUjA=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgucyBi53aDE0lM3GClnr4o-z--G8GXBXGqtPUXHokmII1f6AkSOPXJTSXlaJj7OCT-Jol082UOnhYjj7D_W-Q9GRPYJvTwJRKStA0L4A3-jU3sFkdzu0ed3IIvk51kHE3kA6XYrny71nxzxmzOk0auLK9_zd3k9pzl7jxMZzNOtuN-nvYfvDBqgDlUjA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jewel is waiting.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div>Scott Delahunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735796666483741699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464382918796251124.post-28710223088386143862021-11-08T18:30:00.001-05:002021-11-08T18:30:00.229-05:00NaNoWriMo 2021 – End of Week 1<p><span style="font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="https://nanowrimo.org/participants/dustinus/projects/on-thin-ic/goals?addGoal=false" target="_blank">NaNo has begun</a> and I am now in the early chapters of a story that I have no idea
where it's going. Som business as usual here. The first week went
well, except for a snag on Day 4, where I messed up my own tracking
spreadsheet. I wound up thinking I was a on target instead of being
a day behind, both in terms of writing and in terms of the days on
the spreadsheet. Saturday was spent running a crucial errand, so
that cost me some time as well. However, I managed to fight back to
where I should be on Sunday.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The
early scenes I had in mind are now written. That's both good and
bad. It's good because over 11k words were written for them. It's
bad because now I have no idea where I'm going. I have vague idea
for scenes, but scenes are no substitute for plot. (Hollywood, are
you listening?) Fortunately, the characters are solidifying enough
that any one of them could produce a plot line on their own. It's
handy when characters do that.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The
original concept was to jump focus to the different characters.
However, locking the point of view to Skater means that I have to
work out what the others are doing, at least generally. I don't need
to write a chapter that won't be published about Hudson's quest for
to watch the Habs in a city on the opposite side of the continent.
He's just going to complain about it bitterly when he next joins the
action.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Coming
up, well, laundry needs to be done which will eat at the time I have
after work. But if that is out of the way Monday and I can get a
couple hundred words Tuesday and Friday before gaming, I should be in
a position to strike forward next weekend. I've done it before, I
can do it again.</span></p>Scott Delahunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735796666483741699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464382918796251124.post-74007223962220286212021-11-01T10:32:00.002-04:002021-11-01T10:32:17.815-04:00Happy November 1st!It's that time of year again. <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> has begun! Back in September, I listed a <a href="https://thechaosbeast.blogspot.com/2021/08/brace-yourself.html" target="_blank">number of possibilities</a>. In order to start writing, I had to actually choose one. The winner is...<div><br /></div><div><i><span style="font-size: large;">On Thin IC</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div>with <i>The Courier</i> waiting in the wings in case I run out of story.</div><div><div><br /></div></div><div>Now, you might be wondering where <i>On Thin IC</i> is on the list. It's the untitled <i>Shadowrun</i> story, now with a title. Progress can be followed on <a href="https://nanowrimo.org/participants/dustinus/projects/on-thin-ic">my NaNo profile</a>.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e9vdYDpEKwE/YX_6BWPpvpI/AAAAAAAAHyo/SikqtBPuF14z-9xr4rb-aDPaxR84C4X9ACPcBGAsYHg/s4000/20211030_141439_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e9vdYDpEKwE/YX_6BWPpvpI/AAAAAAAAHyo/SikqtBPuF14z-9xr4rb-aDPaxR84C4X9ACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20211030_141439_HDR.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jewel will be keeping me honest and making sure I take writing breaks.<br />Treats don't serve themselves after all.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div>Scott Delahunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735796666483741699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464382918796251124.post-9595261522585383422021-09-09T18:30:00.001-04:002021-09-09T18:30:00.192-04:00Test Run - Sentinel Comics the Roleplaying Game - The Villain<p>Back again with <a href="https://greaterthangames.com" target="_blank">Greater Than Games</a>' <i>Sentinel Comics the Roleplaying Game</i>. This time around, the villain creation method. Villains in the game get a streamlined approach, making it easier for the GM to prep. Villainous henchmen and minions are even easier, but, for now, just the villain.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>I`m going to work out a villain idea for a series I;m working, *Streetwise Valkyries*. The core idea of the series is that five teenaged girls with superpowers band together to fight the patriarchy. Everything that I avoided in 2016 is getting tossed into the series. I need a villain that can re-appear as needed.</p><p><b>1) Concept</b></p><p>James Hunter Smith III was born into privilege. His grandfather, JH Smith, Senior, struck it lucky during the Second World War, engaged in war profiteering at a low enough level to not be worth the effort, then grew his corporate empire. His son, J Hunter Smith II, took over on Senior's death in the Eighties. James III worked his way up from intern to VP thanks to nepotism, but was savvy enough to know how to exploit people and skirt the law that he became the obvious successor after his father's untimely death, which was ultimately ruled as by natural causes.</p><p><b>2) Approach</b></p><p>This is similar to the hero's approach, however, no random rolls are provided for. Villains should be purpose built, and having a gallery of rogues is always handy for any GM. As long as the heroes aren't bloodthirsty, the villains can return. For James III here, I'm choosing Prideful. James gets three d10s and a d8 for powers, two d10s and two d8s for qualities, and a d8 for a roleplaying quality. I'll start with the qualities first. For the roleplaying quality, he gets Ruthless Businessman at d8. There's some suggested qualities. Two, Conviction and Imposing, work with the concept, so they'll get the d10s. The d8s I'll put into Leadership and Close Combat. For the powers, I'll assign the d8s to Flight. The d10s get placed into Strength, Vitality, and Awareness. I now get to choose two abilities. Unlike the heroes, villains can use their abilities whenever they want. Villains cheat. The two abilities that I want for James III are I Will Deal With The Rest of You Later, tying it to Strength, and Sustained Mockery, tying it to Imposing. I'll note here that James III's base health is 25.</p><p><b>3) Archetype</b></p><p>Again, this is similar to a hero's archetype. However, a villain's archetype determines the status die, while heroes only have the Green, Yellow, and Red. For James III, I choose Overlord. It's not an ideal combination of Approach and Archetype, but I have reasons. The Overlord's status die is based on the number of minions available, and GMs can start the villain with a number of minions already in play. The more minions, the more dangerous the Overlord gets. The Overlord also gets to choose three abilities. James III will need to create more minions during a fight, so the first is Rapid Deployment, associating Conviction with it. Next, Get Back in There! so that minions have a chance of surviving against the heroes. Finally, Form Up, which I'll tie to Strength. James III also gets another 15 points to his health.</p><p><b>4) Upgrades & Mastery</b></p><p>I'm combining these two into one step since they are related and they're small sections on their own. Updates are for when the GM wants a villain to be more powerful. Masteries are similar to Principles for heroes. I'll give James III two upgrades, Mook Squad, which requires him to have a set of signature minions. Since he will have minions, I just have to give them a cool name, like The Enforcers. The I'll also give him Hardier Minions, which makes his minions harder to take out of a scene and gives James III five more points of health <i>if</i> the upgrade is in play. For the mastery, James III gets Master of Profitability; he is a ruthless businessman after all.</p><p><b>5) Health</b></p><p>James III's base health is 25 from Approach plus 15 from Archetype, and plus another 5 from his upgrades if they're in play. Total base health is 40, 45 with upgrades, plus five times the number of heroes. This total is higher than that of the heroes I've already created, but there tends to be more heroes than villains. James III also has minions <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiKuxfcSrEU" target="_blank">to throw at the heroes</a>. James III also doesn't get to dig deeper within himself as the scene goes on, so there is balance.</p><p><b>6) Finishing Touches</b></p><p>Main thing here is costume. James III doesn't want to blend into a crowd, especially when he's being the villain. Costume is a royal purple bodysuit that accentuate his musculature, a high tech version of a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corinthian_helmet" target="_blank">Corinthian helmet</a> in gold-coloured modern composites. Naturally, he also has a matching cape. Considering that he can survive being sucked through a jet engine, there's no worry about the cape being snagged.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Patriarch</span></b></p><p> Alias: James Hunter Smith II</p><p> Approach: Prideful</p><p> Archetype: Overlord</p><p><u>Physical Attributes</u></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Gender: Male</li><li> Age: Mid-40s</li><li> Height: Average</li><li> Eyes: .Blue<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hair: Blond <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Skin: Fair</li><li> Build: Average</li><li> Costume/Equipment: Royal purple skintight bodysuit, with matching cape, and gold coloured Corinthian helmet made with modern composites, complete with communications suite.</li></ul><p></p><p><u>Powers</u></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Awareness d10</li><li> Flight d8</li><li> Strength d10</li><li> Vitality d10</li></ul><p></p><p><u>Qualities</u></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Close Combat d8</li><li> Conviction d10</li><li> Imposing d10</li><li> Leadership d8</li><li> Ruthless Businessman d8</li></ul><p></p><p><u>Status Dice</u></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> 9+ Minions: d12</li><li> 5-8 Minions: d10</li><li> 3-4 Minions: d8</li><li> 1-2 Minions: d6</li><li> 0 Minions: d4</li></ul><p></p><p><u>Health</u></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Base: 40 (45 with Upgrades)</li><li> Current: </li></ul><p></p><p><u>Abilities</u></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Form Up (A): Attack using Strength and use your Max die. Defend against all Attacks against you until the start of your next turn using the number of your minions.</li><li> Get Back in There! (R): Reroll any number of minion saves against the same Attack.</li><li> I Will Deal With The Rest of You Later (A): Attack one target using Strength. Use your Max+Min dice. Defend against all Attacks against you by all other targets until the start of your next turn with your Mid die.</li><li> Rapid Deployment (A): Use Conviction to create a number of minions equal to the value of your Max die. The starting die size for those minions is the same as the size of your Min die.</li><li> Sustained Mockery (A): Hinder using Imposing. Use your Max die. That penalty is persistent and exclusive.</li></ul><p></p><p><u>Upgrades:</u></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Alert! (A): Replenish your minion squad up to the number of heroes.</li><li> Empower Minions (A): Choose one group of minions in the scene. Upgrade all their dice one size (maximum d12).</li></ul><p></p><p><u>Mastery:</u></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Master of Profitability: If you have access to great wealth and other resources, automatically succeed at an Overcome to leverage those resources to get even richer, no matter who else pays the price.</li></ul><p></p><p>I'd rename the abilities and upgrades, but they work too well with the original names. James III can get dangerous if given time to summon minions, and the heroes will have to deal with all the minions he pulls into the fray. However, removing the minions weakens him, though he still can be formidable one on one. The combination of Approach and Archetype isn't ideal, but he has a broad range of abilities to call upon. When all else fails, he can call in more minions. I'll detail his minion squad another time.</p><p>As always, feel free to use this character in your own game, but please let me know how it goes. And for getting this far, have a kitty pic.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3vTKlKii69g/YTlXXPJj0jI/AAAAAAAAHn4/bIgWLx5zGVQh-dKoXlZ3tq96b1n-bghtwCPcBGAsYHg/s4000/20210901_173721_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3vTKlKii69g/YTlXXPJj0jI/AAAAAAAAHn4/bIgWLx5zGVQh-dKoXlZ3tq96b1n-bghtwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20210901_173721_HDR.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunbeam and box, a cat's dream. (Model: Jewel. Photo by author)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Friday, <i>Lost in Translation</i> continues at <a href="http://psychodrivein.com" target="_blank">Psycho Drive-In</a>.</p><p>Saturday, <i>Lost in Translation</i> can be found at <a href="http://codex.seventhsanctum.com" target="_blank">The Seventh Sanctum</a>.</p><div><br /></div>Scott Delahunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735796666483741699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464382918796251124.post-67954817607841640892021-08-27T18:00:00.012-04:002021-08-27T18:00:00.221-04:00Brace Yourself!<p>November is coming!</p><p>Yep, <a href="http://nanowrimo.org" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> is just over two months away. I should at least start figuring out what I want to write. I have a few possibilities right now, but nothing certain. I'd create a poll, but I'm not likely to stick to the results. Maybe if there's a request and it's not binding. Let me know.</p><p>I do have a few possibilities already. I'll present them in no particular order, with the parts I have figured out and the parts that I need to fill in before November.</p><p><i><b>Shadows of Tukayyid</b></i> A <i>BattleTech</i> story, most likely done as a series of novels and novellas. I've been in the mood for giant stompy mecha action thanks to reviewing <i><a href="https://psychodrivein.com/lost-in-translation-377-pacific-rim-the-black/" target="_blank">Pacific Rim: The Black</a></i>. <i>BattleTech</i> is based on giant stompy mecha shooting and stomping each other. The story will happen after the Clan Invasion is stopped after the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QffouI6OA00" target="_blank">Battle of Tukayyid</a> and features two veterans of the fight. The first is former ComStar Adept Joanna Kirk, pilot of a <i><a href="https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Black_Knight" target="_blank">Black Knight</a></i>, and Rebecca, a former Clan Ghost Bear freeborn MechWarrior, as they join a Free Worlds League mercenary unit that is looking to expand with pilots with experience fighting the Clans. The first mission is forming in my head, and other missions are starting to come together. I need to figure out other pilots in the lance and the mercenary company, though they are supporting cast.</p><p><i><b>The Courier</b></i> Initially conceived as a gender-flipped version of <i>The Transporter</i>, because why not, it's starting to get inspirations from <i>Gunpowder Milkshake</i>. Maybe not the sisterhood of assassins based in a library, but the creation of connections between family who haven't really spoken to each other. The main characters are Courtney, the courier, and her niece, Amy, who lives with her aunt after the death of her parents a few years prior. The base plot is worked out, as is the rough map of where they're going. The story should be a novel and could lead into a series if wanted.</p><p><i><b>Streetwise Valkyries</b></i> I've mentioned the <i><a href="https://thechaosbeast.blogspot.com/2015/05/nano-musing-2015-edition.html" target="_blank">Valkyries</a></i> before. There's two possibilities to go with. One is working on a few stories in the same vein as <i><a href="https://thechaosbeast.blogspot.com/p/subject-13-collection.html" target="_blank">Subject 13</a></i> and I do have a few plots in mind for that. The other potential is a crossover with <i>Subject 13</i>, turning Nasty into the Spider-Man or the Wolverine of the setting. I have ideas for the crossover, so time will tell here.</p><p><b>Untitled <i>Shadowrun</i></b> story I have a character idea for <i>Shadowrun</i> that dates back to the first edition, an elven decker who lost her parents during the Night of Rage and was subsequently taken into safety in the Ork Underground. I've updated the character with each edition, but I never rebooted her. Instead, I've aged her with the setting. A recent edition, fifth, I think, had me realize that her career arc and mine were similar. Ignoring that Skater's career has been mostly illegal and mine has been strictly legal, we've both gone through a number of major tech changes during our careers. This gives me the hook I needed for an idea I've been playing with, and I do have the rest of the team worked out. The first story might be novel length; follow ups could be serialized.</p><p>This isn't all the ideas, just the most prominent. There's always a chance that a different story pops up and demands my attention, like <i><a href="https://thechaosbeast.blogspot.com/p/the-elfs-prisoner.html" target="_blank">The Elf's Prisoner</a></i> had. However, chances are good one of these will be chosen.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pLGZM9kMSiQ/YShIBqhj4qI/AAAAAAAAHlU/DyZPqwN0g7I8tmigB8SBlGApLFaB5ut4QCPcBGAsYHg/s4000/20210810_185931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pLGZM9kMSiQ/YShIBqhj4qI/AAAAAAAAHlU/DyZPqwN0g7I8tmigB8SBlGApLFaB5ut4QCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/20210810_185931.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mandatory cat photo (model is Jewel, photo by author)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Friday, <i>Lost in Translation</i> continues at <a href="http://psychodrivein.com" target="_blank">Psycho Drive-In</a>.</p><p>Saturday, <i>Lost in Translation</i> can be found at <a href="http://codex.seventhsanctum.com" target="_blank">The Seventh Sanctum</a>.</p><div><br /></div>Scott Delahunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735796666483741699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464382918796251124.post-86847336802307929912021-08-12T18:00:00.001-04:002021-08-12T18:00:00.222-04:00Cyberpunk 2020 v Shadowrun - Intro<p>Something I've been meaning to try for a while is creating similar characters in the top cyberpunk RPGs from the 80s. <i>Cyberpunk 2020</i> is getting noticed again thanks to <i>Cyberpunk 2077</i> while <i>Shadowrun</i> recently had its sixth edition released. Let's see how similar characters compare.</p><p>There are a few ground rules. The first, no magic. <i>Cyberpunk 2020</i> does not have magic. That means, all characters will be human, There's just no getting around it. Second, the characters have to be viable in both games. That shouldn't be an issue, but some of the roles in <i>2020</i> don't quite work in <i>Shadowrun</i>. Third, gear needs to be equivalent. This is going to be the tough one. I can't go by costs; the two games use a different base of reference. Instead of going by costs, I'll be going by rough equivalence - a heavy pistol is a heavy pistol in both games. The same goes with cybernetics; enhanced reflexes are done differently in the two games but are still enhanced reflexes. Finally, core games only. No supplements, at least mechanically.</p><p>What does that leave me? My plan is to use ideas from cyberpunk novels. Character types like the Street Samurai and the Hacker, both from <i><a href="https://psychodrivein.com/lost-in-translation-373-neuromancer-the-radio-drama/" target="_blank">Neuromancer</a></i>, a combat driver, loosely based off Cowboy from <i><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.ca/books/Hardwired/Walter-Jon-Williams/9781597800624" target="_blank">Hardwired</a></i>, a combat medic, like Nadia from <i><a href="https://psychodrivein.com/lost-in-translation-387-cyberpunk-2077-trauma-team/" target="_blank">Trauma Team</a></i>, and possibly a Rocker, like Priss from <i><a href="http://www.ganriki.org/article/bubblegum-crisis/" target="_blank">Bubblegum Crisis</a></i>. Try to tell me either version of <i>Bubblegum Crisis</i> isn't cyberpunk.</p><p>Obviously, this will take some time. Expect the first comparison to be the Street Samurai. The concept is simple, street muscle with cybernetics. Until then, chummers and choombas, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4IL5uUDcfg" target="_blank">keep your stick on the ice</a>.</p><p>Friday, <i>Lost in Translation</i> continues at <a href="http://psychodrivein.com" target="_blank">Psycho Drive-In</a>.</p><p>Saturday, <i>Lost in Translation</i> can be found at <a href="http://codex.seventhsanctum.com" target="_blank">The Seventh Sanctum</a>.</p>Scott Delahunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735796666483741699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464382918796251124.post-43426461588398378682021-08-05T18:00:00.001-04:002021-08-05T18:00:00.224-04:00Test Run - Sentinel Comics the Roleplaying Game - Time Travelling Ada Lovelace<p> A weird idea struck me for <a href="https://greaterthangames.com" target="_blank">Greater Than Games</a>' <i>Sentinel Comics the Roleplaying Game</i>. I`ll go through the same steps as the last two times, using the directed method that I used with <a href="https://thechaosbeast.blogspot.com/2021/05/test-run-sentinel-comics-roleplaying.html" target="_blank">Ringette</a>.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>For fiction purposes, the character may or may not be the <a href="https://www.computerhistory.org/babbage/adalovelace/" target="_blank">real Ada Lovelace</a>. The real Ada was the first programmer, creating programs for <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/what-a-difference-the-difference-engine-made-from-charles-babbages-calculator-emerged-todays-computer-109389254/" target="_blank">Charles Babbage's difference engine</a> and a mathematical whiz. I'm going to exaggerate a bit and give her the ability to create a steam-powered time machine that uses a difference engine for navigation. She's stuck in the modern era after a slight problem and some wear and tear, but today is more intriguing to her. She gets to play with the silicon chip.</p><p><b>1) Background</b></p><p>There is one that fits the character perfectly - Anachronistic. Time Travelling Ada gets a d10 and a d8 for qualities. The d10 goes into Technology; sure, her ideas are formed around steam-powered everything, but the basics haven't changed that much. The d8 gets placed into History; she has gone to the past. Ada will get a d10, d8, and d6 for use in the next step. She also gets to choose an Esoteric principle, taking Principle of the Time Traveller.</p><p><b>2) Power Source</b></p><p>Once again, there is one that fits perfectly, Genius. That does sum up thetype of person who can read over the design of the difference engine and work out how to program it, all without having a working model. Genius. I'll place the dice from Background as follows: d10 into Lightning Calculator, d8 into Inventions, and d6 into Deduction. Ada gets two Yellow abilities. First is Expanded Mind, and I'll link it to Inventions; I'll change the name to Rapid Prototyping. The second will be A Plan for Everything, linking it to Lightning Calculator and renaming it to Eye for Detail. Finally, Ada gets an extra Information or Mental quality at d10 and takes Creativity. For the next section, Ada gets a d10 and two d6s for the next section.</p><p><b>3) Archetype</b></p><p>The archetype isn't as cut-and-dried as the previous two steps, but there is one that works with the way I've been going with Time Travelling Ada - Gadgeteer. I can skip the first instruction; Ada already has Intellectual powers and there wouldn't be a change in die type by swapping. I need to assign at least one die to a power; I'll put the d6s into Gadgets and Signature Weapon, the latter being called the steam-powered light cannon. That leaves two dice for Information and Mental qualities. The d10 is placed into Investigation. Ada gets two Green abilities and one Yellow. For the Green, I'll take Equip, linking it to Inventions, and Analyze Weakness, linking it to Deduction. I'll leave the names as they are; they suit Ada. With the Yellow, I'll take Snap Decision, link it to Lightning Calculator, and rename it to Mathematical Precision. Finally, Ada get an Identity principle, taking Principle of the Detective. It's not perfect, but it's close enough.</p><p><b>4) Personality</b></p><p>There are two possible entries that could work, Analytical and Inquisitive. After a bit of thought, I'll take Inquisitive. No one builds a steam-powered time machine just to analyze it; they want to go see events found in text books. Ada gets a d8 for her background. I'll take a phrase she used about herself, Poetical Scientist Her status dice are Green d6, Yellow d8, and Red d10; she pulls from deeper when things get tougher. Her Out ability allows a chosen ally to reroll their dice as a reaction. Ada also gets two Red abilities, which will be done below.</p><p><b>5) Red Abilities</b></p><p>The first Red ability will come from the Intellectual Powers category. With the direction I've been going - having Ada being able to calculate mutiple factors of a chaotic situation in her head - the best one there is Calculated Dodge, which doesn't even need a new name. This allows her, at a cost, to force an attacker to reroll dice. Perfect for when the numbers are far too high. The other Red ability will come from the Mental Qualities category, Considered Planning. I'll link this to Creativity and call it On the Fly. This will let Ada give herself a massive boost while defending herself and possibly slowing down an attacker.</p><p><b>6) Retcon</b></p><p>There`s a nice list on page 112. On the list is swapping out a principle for a new one. I want to replace Principle of the Detective with Principle of the Gearhead, which fits Time Travelling Ada far better.</p><p><b>7) Health</b></p><p>Health is the sum of 8 plus the maximum value of Ada's Red status die (10), the maximum value of any one of Ada's Atheltics powers or Mental qualities (10), and the roll of a d8 (1). With a total of 29, Ada is in her personal Green zone from health 29-23, her Yellow zone from 22-11, and her Red from 10-1. Getting to her Red zone means she's hurting, but she's also fighting harder.</p><p><b>8) Finishing Touches</b></p><p>I covered most of this before starting, with some notes about the real Ada Lovelace and how I've modified her. The real Ada never created a time machine. She passed away in her mid-30s of uterine cancer, something treatable today that medicine of 1852 couldn't. Her mother had become her gatekeeper while she was ill, so there is that sliver of potential where Ada could build a time machine to find treatment, then kept exploring. Assuming that the character is really Ada Lovelace and not someone who is both delusional and a genius and believes she is Time Travelling Ada Lovelace.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Time Travelling Ada Lovelace</span></b></p><p>Alias: Ada</p><p><u>Physical Attributes</u></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Gender: Female</li><li> Age: Mid-30s</li><li> Height: Average</li><li> Eyes: .<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hair: Brunette <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Skin: Fair</li><li> Build: Average</li><li> Costume/Equipment: Ada still has the clothes of her home time which she wears to fight crime. She also as a wardrobe that was fashionable at the time of her visit to the different eras. Her main piece of equipment is the Steam-Powered Laser Cannon, something she devised after meeting with Marie Curie, but Ada also can improvise new gear as needed.</li></ul><p></p><p><u>Characteristics</u></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Background: Anachronistic</li><li> Power Source: Genius</li><li> Archetype: Gadgeteer</li><li> Personality: Inqusitive</li></ul><p></p><p><u>Principle of the Gearhead</u></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> During Roleplaying: You always know the general state of repair or function of an item of technology, whether it's a simple toaster or an alien orbital defense system.</li><li> Minor Twist: What mechanical device just shorted out?</li><li> Major Twist: What machine just went off the rails?</li></ul><p></p><p><u>Principle of the Time Traveller</u></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> During Roleplaying: You are far from your own time and are often unsure how to act in this time.</li><li>You have an innate sense for when time is not quite right in the era you’re in.</li><li> Minor Twist: What detail of this era did you not previously know about?</li><li> Major Twist: What effects are happening as you discorporate in time?</li></ul><p></p><p><u>Powers</u></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Deduction d6</li><li> Gadgets d6</li><li> Inventions d8</li><li> Lightning Calculator d10</li><li> Steam-powered Light Cannon d6</li></ul><p></p><p>Qualities</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Creativity: d10</li><li> Poetical Scientist d8</li><li> History d8</li><li> Investigation d10</li><li> Technology d10</li></ul><p></p><p><u>Status Dice<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Health Range</u></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Green: d6<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>29-23</li><li> Yellow: d8<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>22-11</li><li> Red: d10<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>10-1</li><li><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Current Health: 29</li></ul><p></p><p><u>Abilities</u></p><p><i>Green</i></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Analyze Weakness (A): Hinder using Lightning Calculator. Use your Max die, or use your Mid die and make it persistent and exclusive</li><li> Equip (A): Boost using Inventions. Make one bonus for one ally using your Mid die and another for another ally using your Min die.</li><li> Principle of the Gearhead (A): Overcome a technological challenge and use your Max die. You and each of your allies gain a hero point.</li><li> Principle of the Time Traveller (A): Overcome a problem using knowledge of your home era and use your Max die. You and each of your allies gain a hero point.</li></ul><p></p><p><i>Yellow</i></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Eye for Detail (A): Boost yourself using Lightning Calculator. Use your Max die. That bonus is persistent and exclusive. Then Attack using your Min die.</li><li> Mathematical Precision (A): Boost yourself using Lightning Calculator. Use your Max+Min dice. Then Attack using your Mid die with that bonus.</li><li> Rapid Prototyping (R): When you are attacked, first roll your single Inventions die. Defend yourself with that roll. Then, Boost yourself using that roll.</li></ul><p></p><p><i>Red</i></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Calculated Dodge (R): You may take 1 irreducible damage to reroll the dice pool of a target that is Attacking or Hindering you.</li><li> On the Fly (A): Boost using Creativity and use your Max die. Defend against all Attacks against you using your Mid die until your next turn. Note your Min die result: as a Reaction, until your next turn, you may Hinder an attacker using that result.</li></ul><p></p><p><i>Out</i></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Choose an ally. Until your next turn, that ally may reroll one of their dice by using a Reaction.</li></ul><p></p><p>As always, feel free to use this character in your own game, but please let me know how it goes.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BCOzKSB25X8/YQi5HE5LAQI/AAAAAAAAHgQ/KMBL8tbfkZ0c37KghDoZJYdjjS1qHvu-wCPcBGAsYHg/s4000/20210726_003554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BCOzKSB25X8/YQi5HE5LAQI/AAAAAAAAHgQ/KMBL8tbfkZ0c37KghDoZJYdjjS1qHvu-wCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20210726_003554.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a time traveller, but Jewel doesn't mind that,<br />(Model: Jewel. Photo by author.)</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Friday, <i>Lost in Translation</i> continues at <a href="http://psychodrivein.com" target="_blank">Psycho Drive-In</a>.</p><p>Saturday, <i>Lost in Translation </i>can be found at <a href="http://codex.seventhsanctum.com" target="_blank">The Seventh Sanctum</a>.</p><div><br /></div>Scott Delahunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735796666483741699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464382918796251124.post-26805537525994484272021-07-22T18:00:00.007-04:002021-07-22T18:00:00.287-04:00Test Run - The Return of Bert Ernesto!<p> A long time back, I was playing around with Margaret Weis Productions' <i>Demon Hunters</i>, based on the setting created by the <a href="http://deadgentlemen.com/" target="_blank">Dead Gentlemen</a>, who also provided details for the game itself. As time progresses, as time tends to do, games evolve. The most recent version, <i><a href="https://demonhuntersrpg.com" target="_blank">Demon Hunters - A Comedy of Terrors</a></i> takes the lessons learned from the original and improves the game. However, since this is about Bert Ernesto and not <i>Lost in Translation</i>, enough about the mechanics. Time to create!<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><a href="https://thechaosbeast.blogspot.com/2017/05/test-run-demon-hunters.html" target="_blank">Bert Ernesto, TV/VCR repairman</a>, originally came about thanks to <a href="https://youtu.be/-xoTPXZMpuM?t=636" target="_blank">a gag in the Brotherhood Orientation Video</a> where Anti-Tank Sally went through everything that the Brotherhood could teach. <i><b>Everything</b></i>. Do not try to figure out lactomancy. But in that long list of weirdness, TV/VCR repair stood out, mainly because, well, who repairs TVs these days? And VCRs? Other than specialty users, they're showpieces today.</p><p>Let's get started with re-creating Bert Ernesto. There's eight steps, which I'll go through one by one. Bert shouldn't be too odd for the game, where it's possible to play <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Smf24hNVjM" target="_blank">werewolves</a>, half-angels, half-demons, and animated trees. In terms of complexity, the game is far closer to <i>MechWarrior Destiny</i> than <i>A Time of War</i>, so the process is quick-ish. Decisions take time.</p><p><u>1) Write a Concept aspect.</u></p><p>This is a phrase that sums up the character. Bert is a TV/VCR repairman, but that doesn't seem like enough, and I have an idea for the next stage already. The key is that he is a tech, with a mighty fine mustache, because he's Bert Ernesto. So, let's got with Mustachioed Technician.</p><p><u>2) Write a Trouble aspect.</u></p><p>Again, this is a phrase. This time, though, the aspect covers a core flaw. The one I have in mind is Master of Obsolete Tech. I mean, TV/VCR repair isn't exactly an up to date skillset. Bert's going to have trouble with anything created after 1997, the year DVDs became commercially available. Might help with the Mark III Cipher, though.</p><p><u>3) Assign dice to approaches.</u></p><p>There are six approaches - Careful, Clever, Flashy, Forceful, Quick, and Sneaky - that describe how a character goes about an action. Bert has a d10, two d8, two d6, and a d4 to distribute. Flashy gets the d10; he has flair when working on tech. It's why he has the awesome 'stache. Clever and Forceful each get the d8s; it's not just using <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=insM7oUYNOE" target="_blank">percussive maintenance</a> but knowing where to hit a machine. Quick and Sneaky get the d6s. That leaves the d4 for Careful; Bert is a fast tech; having a few screws leftover is a sign that the machine was over-designed.</p><p><u>4) Choose three disciplines and assign dice.</u></p><p>There are a total of five disciplines to choose from, six if I include the Fringe, which Bert is not. Fringe is more for supernatural types. The dice I have are a d10, a d8, and a d6. Let's start with the d10. Bert is a technician, so Research & Development, the technical discipline, gets the d10. However, techs are forever overlooked, even techs with most excellent mustaches, so Covert Ops gets the d8. While placing the d6 into Mystic Arts is tempting - tech support requires blood sacrifice at times - Social Engineering my be the best for it; Bert is charming in his own way.</p><p><u>5) Write a stunt.</u></p><p>Stunts provided bonuses to actions. The first stunt I have in mind deals with percussive maintenance:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Percussive Maintenance</b>: Because I know exactly where to hit a machine to get it to work again, I gain +2 when I Forcefully create advantages with machines.</li></ul><p></p><p><u>6) Write three aspects, one for each discipline chosen.</u></p><p>I'll break it down by discipline from step 4 above:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Research & Development: Swiss Army Knife.</li><li>Covert Ops: I've got a work order to fix the machine.</li><li>Social Engineering: Bodacious mustache.</li></ul><p></p><p>Now the explanations. The Swiss Army Knife is the ultimate multi-tool as demonstrated on both versions of <i>MacGuyver</i>. Between the Swiss Army Knife, duct tape, and WD-40, <i>anything</i> can be fixed. "I've got a work order to fix the machine," is from personal experience. If you have a piece of paper and say you're from IT, you will get shown to the broken device, especially in larger government and corporate environments. Finally, I've mentioned Bert's mustache enough that it should be an aspect.</p><p><u>7) Write one or two more stunts.</u></p><p>Just like step 5 above.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Because I have an Awesome Mustache, I gain a +1 when I Flashily defend. (The mustache is that amazing.)</li><li>Because I have a Swiss Army Knife, I gain a +2 when I Cleverly attack an automaton.</li></ul><p></p><p><u>8) Name your Demon Hunter and write down what they look like.</u></p><p>Just what it says. Turns out, that came together before I started. Bert Ernesto, Mustachioed Technician, is just that awesome, at least in his head. I'll also note how many of each Condition he can take - three Mild, two Moderate, and one Severe - and note that he has three Devotion, since no extra stunts were taken.</p><p>Let's pull this into a proper sheet now: The only thing not done is determine which Chapter of the Brotherhood Bert belongs to. That would be done with the GM, who can decide that the group is an established but still unknown Sigma or a rookie Omega team meant as cannon fodder.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Bert Ernesto</span></b></p><p>Chapter TBD</p><p><b>Aspects</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Concept: Mustachioed Technician</li><li>Trouble: Master of Obsolete Tech</li><li>Discipline: Swiss Army Knife, I've got a work order to fix the machine, Bodacious mustache</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Approaches<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Disciplines</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Careful d4<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Combat & Tactics d4</li><li>Clever d8<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Covert Ops d8</li><li>Flashy d10<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Mystic Arts d4</li><li>Forceful d8<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Research & Development d10</li><li>Quick d6<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Social Engineering d6</li><li>Sneaky d6<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li></ul><p></p><p><b>Stunts</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Percussive Maintenance</b>: Because I know exactly where to hit a machine to get it to work again, I gain +2 when I Forcefully create advantages with machines.</li><li><b>Too Awesome to Hit</b>: Because I have an Awesome Mustache, I gain a +1 when I Flashily defend.</li><li><b>The Ultimate Multi-Tool</b>: Because I have a Swiss Army Knife, I gain a +2 when I Cleverly attack an automaton.</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Conditions</b></p><p>Mild (3) Moderate (2) Severe (1)</p><p><b>Devotion: 3</b></p><p>And that's Bert, ready to play. Simple enough! If you do use him, please let me know how it goes.</p><p>Oh, and mandatory cat photo.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIi11AoZgRQ/YPJNjsDo_kI/AAAAAAAAHa8/5QIFBtUdvBcZFMC8gP3LApOIIo1YIut0wCPcBGAsYHg/s4000/20210710_010823.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIi11AoZgRQ/YPJNjsDo_kI/AAAAAAAAHa8/5QIFBtUdvBcZFMC8gP3LApOIIo1YIut0wCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20210710_010823.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another photo? (Model: Jewel. Photo by author.)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Friday, <i>Lost in Translation</i> continues at <a href="http://psychodrivein.com" target="_blank">Psycho Drive-In</a>.</p><p>Saturday, <i>Lost in Translation</i> can be found at <a href="http://codex.seventhsanctum.com" target="_blank">The Seventh Sanctum</a>.</p><div><br /></div>Scott Delahunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735796666483741699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464382918796251124.post-12914094849340299522021-07-01T18:00:00.001-04:002021-07-01T18:00:00.208-04:00Writing Inspirations from a Non-Writer<p>A couple of friends have already gone through who and what has influenced them in their writing. <a href="https://www.infinimata.com/2021/06/what-i-learned-from-whom-and-why.html" target="_blank">Serdar Yagulalp</a> and <a href="https://www.stevensavage.com/blog/2021/06/writing-advice-from-non-writers.html" target="_blank">Steve Savage</a> have listed what has influenced and inspired their work. I'm going to add my two cents, which in Canadian, means nothing because we don't have pennies.</p><p>I've probably mentioned that I'm not a natural writer. Everything linked in the side bar to the right and over at <i>Lost in Translation</i> isn't a mirage, but my approach might give writing teachers fits. So, keeping with the format Serdar and Steve have, here goes!</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Tabletop RPGs</span></b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Characters are more than just numbers on a page.</i> Most games include advice on how to create and play a character. Games with specific settings give information that could influence a character. Likewise, characters in a novel are more than just a description or a stereotype. Archetypes are useful as a starting point to build on, not an end goal.</li><li><i>Characters live in their settings.</i> Seems obvious, but a character in a fantasy world where magic is wondrous will have a different take on their life from a character who lives on board a starship. They may share outlooks, but they'll have different approaches to problem solving.</li></ul><p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">High School Geography</span></b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Geographic features don't pop out of nowhere.</i> This goes towards worldbuilding and why I could <a href="https://thechaosbeast.blogspot.com/p/the-elfs-prisoner.html" target="_blank">build a setting on the fly a few years ago</a>. It becomes easier to work out what the climate and vegetation is like once I know where the mountains are.</li><li><i>Cities aren't always designed.</i> Grade 10 Urban Geography has stuck with me. Cities exist for a reason. The older the city, the less likely there is to be a grid-pattern. Streets are twisty. A planned settlement has straight streets, except for suburbs. This also goes towards worldbuilding, so if I need a village, town, or city, I can get the basics down quickly then fill out details like neighbourhoods and entertainment centres.</li><li><i>Water is life.</i> Back to worldbuilding again. Settlements need water, for drinking, for growing food, for shipping and receiving products. Water is also important while writing. Getting up from the keyboard to get a drink of water does two things, it gives me a break and it keeps me hydrated.</li></ul><p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Anime, Manga, and Comics</span></b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Drama drives the story.</i> I lumped the three together because they each provided different examples. The series I enjoy tend not to be gimmicky but instead have inter-character conflict and awkward moments. I can see the influence <i><a href="https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=461" target="_blank">Marmalade Boy</a></i> has on my works.</li></ul><p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://psychodrivein.com/category/columns/lost-in-translation/" target="_blank">Lost in Translation</a></span></b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>You can learn from mistakes; they don't have to be your own.</i> You might be wondering why I have something I'm writing is in the list. <i>Lost in Translation</i> let me analyze works I'd normally not take a deeper look into. Figuring out what when wrong means working out the mechanics of storytelling, what works, and what doesn't. The earnest failures are the best to analyze; the different between talent and skill counts.</li><li><i>It doesn't hurt to try a work in a different medium.</i> Even if the result doesn't work, figuring out how what I'm working on can translate helps. My writing approach tends to start from a visual, so already I have to translate the pictures and animation into words. Why not work out what something would look like going the other way? There's insight to be had.</li></ul><p></p><p>The above list is probably not comprehensive. I'm sure there are little things here and there that I've missed that are obvious to other. But, these are the majors I can think of. If you want to do something similar, drop a line with <a href="https://www.stevensavage.com/blog/2021/06/writing-advice-from-non-writers.html" target="_blank">Steve Savage</a>. He wants to gather all these sorts of posts into one spot.</p><p>Friday, <i>Lost in Translation</i> continues at <a href="http://psychodrivein.com" target="_blank">Psycho Drive-In</a>.</p><p>Saturday, <i>Lost in Translation</i> can be found at <a href="http://codex.seventhsanctum.com" target="_blank">The Seventh Sanctum</a>.</p>Scott Delahunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735796666483741699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464382918796251124.post-3912448293866791012021-07-01T00:00:00.001-04:002021-07-01T00:00:00.205-04:00Happy Canada Day!<p>This is a rough Canada Day. Not from the pandemic, though that isn't helping. The discovery of over a thousand graves at former residential schools can't be forgotten. Children taken away from their culture and families who never got to return. This is a dark stain on Canada. It's long past time for reconciliation and restitution, for with out restitution, reconciliation is just hollow words. Let this Canada Day be the day wounds can be healed, for we can be better.</p><p>Happy Canada Day.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3mveTN10-AM/V3Qfj1g_jGI/AAAAAAAACWQ/T_7oNC_CskIKhW_Qx_r6T3GPIHFAacQxgCPcBGAYYCw/s1024/Flag_of_Canada.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3mveTN10-AM/V3Qfj1g_jGI/AAAAAAAACWQ/T_7oNC_CskIKhW_Qx_r6T3GPIHFAacQxgCPcBGAYYCw/w400-h200/Flag_of_Canada.svg.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Scott Delahunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735796666483741699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464382918796251124.post-90493185677305296702021-06-24T18:30:00.002-04:002021-06-24T18:30:00.248-04:00Test Run - A Time of War<p>Over the past month, I've dipped into <a href="https://www.catalystgamelabs.com" target="_blank">Catalist Game Labs</a>' <i>MechWarrior Destiny</i> RPG. A few times, I mentioned that it was more streamlined than <i>A Time of War</i>, the previous incarnation of the <i>BattleTech</i> RPG. Today, I demonstrate the difference by creating a PC with <i>ATOW</i>.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><i>ATOW</i> is point based. Players get 5000 experience points to spend to create their character, compared to 12-20 for skills in <i>Destiny</i>. However, 850 XP are already assigned, with 100 XP in each of the stats, 20 XP in Language/English and Language/(affiliation), and 10 in Perception. So far, the new PC looks like the following without making any decisions, like affiliation.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Attribute<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Score<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Link<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>XP</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Strength<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>100</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Body<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>100</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Reflexes<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>100</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Dexterity<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>100</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Intelligence<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>100</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Will<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>100</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Charisma<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>100</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Edge<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>100</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Skill</span><span style="font-family: courier; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;">Level Links TN/C XP</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Language/English<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 20</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Language/(affiliation)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 20</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Perception<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 10</span></li></ul><p></p><p>For comparison purposes, I'll create a MechWarrior, like <a href="https://thechaosbeast.blogspot.com/2021/05/test-run-mechwarrior-destiny.html" target="_blank">Catalina</a> and <a href="https://thechaosbeast.blogspot.com/2021/06/test-run-mechwarrior-destiny-clans.html" target="_blank">Carter</a>. Character creation in <i>ATOW</i> is done in a similar life path manner, so some entries will seem familiar compared to the <i>Destiny</i> PCs. For the purpose this example, I will assume PCs are part of a mercenary unit in the year 3055.</p><p><u>Stage 0: Affiliation</u></p><p>Now to choose where my character is from. This time around, I'll use one of the major Houses, House Davion of the Federated Suns. The module cost for being from the FedSuns is 150XP, leaving 4700XP. Primary language in English, and I'll take Russian for the secondary. For those 150XP, I get a choice of traits, Natural Aptitude/Protocol or Natural Aptitude/Strategy, both of which require an INT of 4. I'll make a note of that for later. I'll take Strategy here.</p><p>I also have to choose a sub-affiliation, a sector of the FedSuns where the character is from. I'll take the Capellan March; there is a lot of fighting happening along that border. I get 50 XP for WIL, 25 XP for Connections, -50 XP for Compulsion/Hatred of the Capellan Confederation, +10 XP in Protocol/FedSuns, +10 in Interest/FedSuns History, and +5 into Cantonese, German, Mandarin, Spanish, or Russian. I'll boost the character's Russian skill.</p><p><u>Stage 1: Early Childhood</u></p><p>My future FedSun MechWarrior now gets to figure out a humble beginning and what the PC did by age 10. A look through the possible entries leads to Farm, costing 275XP, leaving 4425. The PC gets +100XP to STR and to BOD, +25XP to DEX, -50XP to CHA, +25XP to the Animal Empathy trait, -25XP to Illiterate, +5-XP to Toughness, -25XP to Wealth, +10XP to Career/Agriculture, +15XP to Animal Handling, and +5 to any two Interests, which will be FedSuns History and the Solaris VII Games. Finally, I can add +10XP to any four Attributes, Skills, or Traits, so I'll place them into INT, EDG, Natural Aptitude/Strategy, and Interest/Solaris VII Games.</p><p>The character so far:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Attribute<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Score<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Link<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>XP</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Strength<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>200</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Body<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>200</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Reflexes<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>100</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Dexterity<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>125</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Intelligence<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>110<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>*4</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Will<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>100</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Charisma<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 75</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Edge<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>110</span></li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Trait<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>TP Page XP</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Animal Empathy 25</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Compulsion/Hatred of Capellan -50</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Connections 25</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Illiterate -25</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Natural Aptitude/Strategy 110</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Toughness 5</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Wealth -25</span></li></ul><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Skill<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Level Links TN/C XP</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Animal Handling 15</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Career/Agriculture 10</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Interest/FedSuns History 15</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Interest/Solaris VII Games 15</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Language/English<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 20</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Language/Russian<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 25</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Perception<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 10</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Protocol/FedSuns 10</span></li></ul><p></p><p><u>Stage 2: Late Childhood</u></p><p>The PC now goes through puberty. I choose Military School for this stage; the PC has been slacking off and paying more attention to the results of the BattleMech fights on Solaris VII than on school work, so the parents decide some discipline is needed. Military School costs 500XP, leaving 3925, and requires a minimum WIL of 3. I get to add +50XP to CHA, +15XP to Connections, +15XP to Fit, +20XP to Rank, +25 to Career/Soldier, +35 to Computers, +30 to any Interest which will go to the Solaris VII Games, +40 to Interest/Military History, +20 to Leadership, +30 to Martial Arts, +10 to MedTech, +30 to Running, +5- to Small Arms, +10 to Strategy, and +10 to Swimming. I also have 40XP that can only go to skills, so 5XP to each of Animal Handling and Interest/FedSuns History, and 10XP to each of Strategy, Perception, and Career/Agriculture.</p><p>At age 16, the character is starting to look like a proper MechWarrior, though not in the cockpit yet.</p><p><u>Stage 3: Higher Education</u></p><p>Time to go to college, university, or enlist. To become a MechWarrior, future pilots of these towering war machines need to go to an academy or through family training. Being from the farm, the PC only has the academy as an option, costing 830XP right away, leaving 3095, plus the costs of the fields to come. Right away, the PC get +50 to STR, +100 to BOD, +125 to RFL, +100 to WIL, +100 to the Equipped trait, +200 to Rank, +15 to Interest/Military History, +10 to Leadership, +15 to Protocol/FedSuns, and +15 to Swimming. There are also 100XP that can be spent anywhere, so +20 to Strategy and +80 to Vehicle, to try to get a decent 'Mech.</p><p>The first field comes up with Basic Training. Each field costs 30XP per skill in the field group; skills earned this way add 36XP to the skills in the field. Basic Training has five skills, thus costs 150XP, leaving 2945 and requires INT and WIL of 3. Each skill - Career/Soldier, Martial Arts, MedTech, Navigation/Ground, and Small Arms - gets 36XP. The next field I take is MechWarrior, costing 150XP, leaving 2795, and requiring DEx and RFL of 4. The skills Gunnery/'Mech, Piloting/'Mech, Sensor Operations, Tectics/Land, and Technician/Any all get 36XP each, and the Tech skill will be Mechanics. I could grab a third field or take Officer Candidate School, but I want to save XP for later purchasing, especially considering the minimums I need to reach.</p><p>As for age, the PC started post-secondary studies at age 16. Basic Training and MechWarrior each took a year, so once done with the Academy, the character is 18 years old.</p><p><u>Stage 4: Real Life</u></p><p>Finally, out into the real world. Being a military sort, the best fit is Tour of Duty, lasting 3 years and costing 800XP, leaving 1995XP. The PC needs to have at least one military field from Stage 3, and Basic Training fills that requirement. I get to add +25XP to Connections, +100 to Vehicle, +50 to Career/Soldier, +40 to Martial Arts, +40 to Navigation/Ground, and +40 to Protocol/FedSuns. Being from the Inner Sphere, I get to add +50XP to any two Attributes, placing it into RFL and INT, +50 into Vehicle, and -50 into either Compulsion/Any Addiction or Unlucky, and I'll take the latter. For skills, I get +15 to Language/English, +15 Leadership, +10 Martial Arts, +20 MedTech, +20 Perception, and +175 into any seven military field skills I already have. With that last bit, I place +25XP into Gunnery/'Mech, Piloting/'Mech, Small Arms, Sensor Operations, Tactics/Land, Navigation/Ground, and Martial Arts. Do not start a brawl with this character.</p><p>I could go for a second module here in Stage 4, but I have the feeling that I will need the remaining XP to balance the character. That said, the final step. The character so far:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Attribute<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Score<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Link<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>XP</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Strength<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>250</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Body<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>300</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Reflexes<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>275<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>*4</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Dexterity<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>125<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>*4</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Intelligence<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>160<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>*4</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Will<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>200<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>*3</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Charisma<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>125</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Edge<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>110</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Trait<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>TP Page XP</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Animal Empathy 25</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Compulsion/Hatred of Capellan -50</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Connections 65</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Equipped 100</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Fit 15</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Illiterate -25</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Natural Aptitude/Strategy 110</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Rank 220</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Toughness 5</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Unlucky -50</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Vehicle 230</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Wealth -25</span></li></ul><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Skill<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Level Links TN/C XP</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Animal Handling 20</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Career/Agriculture 20</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Career/Soldier 111</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Computers 35</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Gunnery/Mech 61</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Interest/FedSuns History 20</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Interest/Military History 55</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Interest/Solaris VII Games 45</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Language/English<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 35</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Language/Russian<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 25</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Leadership 45</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Martial Arts 141</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> MedTech 66</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Melee Weapons 20</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Navigation/Ground 101</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Perception<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 40</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Piloting/Mech 61</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Protocol/FedSuns 95</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Running 30</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Sensor Operations 61</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Small Arms 111</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Strategy 40</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Swimming 45</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Tactics/Land 61</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Technician/Mechanics 36</span></li></ul><p></p><p><u>Stage 5: Purchasing Attributes, Skills, and Traits</u></p><p>Time to use up the remaining 1995 XP. Attributes and traits are always multiples of 100 XP, skills have a chart on page 85 to work out skill levels. Starting with the attributes, I need RFL, DEX, and INT to be at least 4 each, and WIL needs to be 3. It'll take 125XP to get RFL up, 275XP to raise DEX, 240XP for INT, and 100 for WIL, for a total of 740XP, leaving 1225XP. I also want to get the other attributes up a bit, placing 150 into STR, 100 into BOD, 275 into CHA, and 90 into EDG, for a total of 615XP, leaving me 610XP. I want to raise WIL a little more, but let's see where I am after traits.</p><p>With traits, I need to either remove anything not at the minimum or add XP to get to the minimum, both for positive and negative traits. With the negative traits, I'll get a full trait point in Compulsion/Hatred of Capellan Confederation, for another -50, Unlucky requires two trait points, minimum, so another -150XP. However, I will buy off Illiterate and Wealth at 25XP each for a total of 50. I net -150XP, adding that to my available XP for a total of 760.</p><p>Now to the positive traits. I'll let Animal Empathy go, gaining 25XP. I do want Connections, so I'll add 35XP there. Equipped is good where it is. Fit, while useful, is too low to try to increase to two trait points, so I get another 15XP there. Natural Aptitude/Strategy is what I'm basing my character on, so that needs to be raised to three trait points, costing me 190XP. Rank needs to be at five trait points just to be a MechWarrior, so another 280XP there. Toughness barely blipped, so that saves me another 5XP. With Vehicle, I need to have four trait points to get a medium, or I can just take a light. I'll return 30XP to the pool and stay with the light 'Mech. The total cost of all this is 430XP, leaving me with 330XP for skills.</p><p>With skills, the first thing I'll do is see what level each one is, to figure out what I can trim. The XP cost table on page 85 is critical here. I could wind up with excess XP to spend, which can help with areas I think I'm lacking in. To save space, I'm not placing the interim skill list here. I will add 9XP to Career/Soldier, getting the skill to level 4, remove 5XP from Computers, remove 5XP from Interest/Military History, add 5XP to Interest/Solaris VII Games, add 15XP to Language/English, add 5XP to Language/Russian, add 5XP to Leadership, add 14XP to MedTech, remove 21XP from Navigation/Ground, remove 15 XP from Protocol/FedSuns, add 9XP to Small Arms, add 10XP to Strategy, add 5XP to Swimming, and add 14XP to Technician/Mechanical. That comes out to a total cost of 45XP, leaving me with 285XP.</p><p>Since I do have XP available, I will increase WIL to 4, costing 4XP. I'll also bump RFL to 5 for another 100XP, leaving me 85. Increasing Gunnery/'Mech ad Piloting/'Mech will cost 19XP each, but I have it to spare, leaving me 47XP. Plenty to increase Martial Arts to the next level for 29XP, leaving 18XP. I'll split that between Piloting/'Mech and Strategy, leaving no XP to spend.</p><p>However, I am not done. Some traits need to be figured out. I make a note of what Equipped gets me, in this case, I can get any gear of Tech Level D, Availability B, and Legality C. Rank comes out as E5, which, in the FedSuns, is a Corporal, as per page 29 of the /A Time of War Companion/. I also get to roll to see what BattleMech I get, using two normal six-sided dice/ I roll a total of 6, earning me a <a href="https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Wolfhound" target="_blank">WLF-2 <i>Wolfhound</i></a>, a newer BattleMech released in 3052 with an extended-range large laser and four medium lasers. The WLF-2 is ideal for long range recon with no worries about needing resupply in the field.</p><p>Finally, I have 1000 C-bills to spend on gear. I will assume that a neurohelment and a cooling vest come standard with a BattleMech. A GM can provide gear to players based on the setting, so a military unit will have a standard sidearm, uniform, and field equipment when on maneuvers. However, mercenary units might not have that sort of funding. The shopping trip will see the PC getting a knife, a Serrek 7875D auto-pistol with three reloads, an ablative/flak jacket, and a pair of combat boots. Total cost is 900 C-bills, leaving 100 C-bills when play begins.</p><p>All that's left is to name the character, fill out personal details, and get GM approval. As the PC stands right now, the character could be seen as green, barely experienced with fighting in a BattleMech. However, outside the 'Mech, the character is one to have beside you in a fight.</p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">PERSONAL DATA</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Name: Tatiana Cole</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Affiliation: Federated Suns</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Height: 165cm</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Weight: 77kg</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Age: 21</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Hair: Black</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Eyes: Blue-green</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Extra: --</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">ATTRIBUTES</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Attribute<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Score<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Link<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>XP</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Strength<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 4<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> +0 400</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Body<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 4<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> +0<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>400</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Reflexes<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 5<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> +0<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>500</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Dexterity<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 4<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> +0<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>400</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Intelligence<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 4<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> +0<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>400</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Will<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 4<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> +0<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>400</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Charisma<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 4<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> +0<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>400</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Edge<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 2<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> -1<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>200</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">COMBAT DATA</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Condition Monitor</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Standard ooooo ooo</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Fatigue ooooo ooo</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Movement (metres/turn)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Walk: 9</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Run/Evade: 20</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Sprint: 2</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Climb: 2</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Crawl: 3</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Swim: 10</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Personal Armour (LOC)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Armour Type<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>BAR (M/B/E/X)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Main (Torso) - Jacket Ab/Flak 2/4/5/2</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Jacket (Arms) Ab/Flak 2/4/5/2</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Combat Boots (Feet) Boots 2/3/3/1</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Weapon<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Skill<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>AP/BD <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Range<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Ammo<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Notes</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Martial Arts<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>0M/1<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Melee<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>N/A</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Knife Melee 1M/2 1m N/A </span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Serrek Pistol SmArms 3B/3 5/25/50/120 16 +1 to attack, service rolls</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">TRAITS (PERSONAL)</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Trait<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>TP Page XP</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Compulsion/Hatred of Capellan -1 110 -100</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Connections 1 112 100</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Equipped 1 116 100</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Natural Aptitude/Strategy 3 121 300</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Rank 5 123 500</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Unlucky -2 128 -200</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Vehicle 2 128 200 - WLF-2 <i>Wolfhound</i></span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">SKILLS</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Skill<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Level Links TN/C XP</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Animal Handling 0 WIL 8/SA 20</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Career/Agriculture 0 INT 7/SB 20</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Career/Soldier 4 INT 7/SB 120</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Computers 1 INT 8/CB 30</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Gunnery/Mech 3 RFL+DEX 8/SA 80</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Interest/FedSuns History 0 INT 8/CB 20</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Interest/Military History 2 INT 8/CB 50</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Interest/Solaris VII Games 2 INT 8/CB 50</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Language/English<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 2 INT+CHA 8/SA 50</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Language/Russian<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 1 INT+CHA 8/SA 30</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Leadership 2 WIL+CHA 8/SA 50</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Martial Arts 5 RFL+DEX 8/SA 170</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> MedTech 3 INT 7/SB 80</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Melee Weapons 0 DEX 7/SB 20</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Navigation/Ground 3 INT 7/SB 80</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Perception<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 1 INT 7/SB 40</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Piloting/Mech 3 RFL+DEX 8/SA 89</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Protocol/FedSuns 3 WIL+CHA 9/CA 80</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Running 1 RFL 7/SB 30</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Sensor Operations 2 INT+WIL 8/SA 61</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Small Arms 4 DEX 7/SB 120</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Strategy 2 INT+WIL 9/SA 59</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Swimming 1 STR 7/SB 50</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Tactics/Land 2 INT+WIL 9/CA 61</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> Technician/Mechanics 2 DEX+INT 9/CA 50</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">BIOGRAPHY</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Life Module<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Other Notes</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> 0/Affiliation<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>FedSuns</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> 1/Early Childhood<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Farm</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> 2/Late Childhood<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Military School</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> 3/Miltiary Academy<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Basic Training, MechWarrior</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;"> 4/Tour of Duty +3 years</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">C-bills: 100</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">INVENTORY</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Item<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Location Data/Statistics</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">3 reloads for pistol Pockets</span></p><p>Yeah, that's a lot, It took me a couple of days to write this post up, compared to the single evening the /Destiny/ characters took. However, <i>ATOW</i> integrates directly into the /BattleTech/ wargame with no added conversion. Your mileage may vary.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RQ2W4agLwxs/YNE7M5VYdmI/AAAAAAAAHWc/GKWa6yOm6cgRpxSTdQKdkcWERsg7zugjgCPcBGAsYHg/s4000/20210619_011801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RQ2W4agLwxs/YNE7M5VYdmI/AAAAAAAAHWc/GKWa6yOm6cgRpxSTdQKdkcWERsg7zugjgCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/20210619_011801.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a long one, so bonus Jewel.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PJvbVx5k4GE/YNE7M6DuyaI/AAAAAAAAHWc/8KVCYUUFQ-UsIkN5Filz_i5sV3ddq9wVgCPcBGAsYHg/s4000/20210610_164814_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PJvbVx5k4GE/YNE7M6DuyaI/AAAAAAAAHWc/8KVCYUUFQ-UsIkN5Filz_i5sV3ddq9wVgCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20210610_164814_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's easier to get a profile pic of Jewel.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TK4N-blqCmw/YNE7Mzj87fI/AAAAAAAAHWc/rQWGzdjcL4wrcW3SuPNAVNQ2lCE9vHYSACPcBGAsYHg/s4000/20210617_155226_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TK4N-blqCmw/YNE7Mzj87fI/AAAAAAAAHWc/rQWGzdjcL4wrcW3SuPNAVNQ2lCE9vHYSACPcBGAsYHg/s320/20210617_155226_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiger lily to go with the tiger tabby.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>As always, let me know if you use the the above character.</div><div><br /></div><div>Friday, <i>Lost in Translation</i> continues at <a href="http://psychodrivein.com" target="_blank">Psycho Drive-In</a>.</div><div>Saturday, <i>Lost in Translation</i> can be found at <a href="http://codex.seventhsanctum.com" target="_blank">The Seventh Sanctum</a>.</div><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div>Scott Delahunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735796666483741699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464382918796251124.post-83533206710377188072021-06-17T18:00:00.000-04:002021-06-17T18:00:00.206-04:00Test Run - MechWarrior Destiny III - Converting a BattleMech<p> Back to <a href="https://www.catalystgamelabs.com" target="_blank">Catalist Game Labs</a>' <i>MechWarrior Destiny</i> to try out one more subsystem, BattleMech conversion. For this, I'll need a BattleMech, Instead of one of the published 'Mechs, I'll use one of my own design, the PLNK-5R, or <i>Plinker</i>. All the goodies after the break.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>The <i>Plinker</i> is an experiment - how many AC/2s and SRM2s can a 'Mech carry before an opposing playher gets annoyed. The <a href="https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Mauler" target="_blank">canonical <i>Mauler</i></a> carries four.AC/2s but also has ER Large Lasers and LRM15s. So, not quite what I'm looking for. The <i>Plinker</i> is a 75-ton heavy 'Mech built in Inner Sphere tech designed for being annoyance at multiple ranges. The idea is to stay out of range if possible, but close in if all else fails.</p><p></p><blockquote><p>PLNK-5R <i>Plinker</i></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Tonnage: 75</li><li>Movement: 4 Walk/6 Run</li><li>Heat Sinks: 15</li></ul><p></p><p>Armour/Internal Structure:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Head: 9/3</li><li> Left/Right Arm: 12/12</li><li> Centre Torso: 34/23</li><li> Left/Right Torso: 24/16</li><li> Rear Center Torso: 12</li><li> Rear Left/Right Torso: 8</li><li> Left/Right Leg: 12/16</li></ul><p></p><p>Armament:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Medium Laser (Head)</li><li> AC/2 (Right Arm)</li><li> AC/2 (Left Arm)</li><li> AC/2 (Centre Torso)</li><li> SRM2 (RIght Torso)</li><li> SRM2 (RIght Torso)</li><li> SRM2 (Left Torso)</li><li> SRM2 (Left Torso)</li></ul><p></p><p>Ammo:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> AC/2 - 45 (Right Arm)</li><li> AC/2 - 45 (Left Arm)</li><li> SRM2 - 50 (Right Torso)</li><li> SRM2 - 50 (Left Torso)</li></ul><p></p><p></p></blockquote><p>Light on rear armour, but the idea is to keep firing forward at the enemy and whittle them down before they can get behind the <i>Plinker</i>. Fifteen heat sinks allow the <i>Plinker</i> to fire everything at once without melting. Movement after such an alpha strike will star getting things toasty, but nothing that can't be fixed by not firing one weapon the next turn. The 'Mech is ammo dependent, but with 30 turns worth of AC/2 ammo and 25 turns of missile fire, it's not going to be an issue in a battle.</p><p>Time to convert. Again, I'll go by the steps in the book. Shouldn't be difficult and not math heavy. The fun comes with adding details that the core wargame rules don't cover.</p><p><u>1) Determine Base Stats</u></p><p>Weight remains the same, so 75 tons. This places the <i>Plinker</i> at the upper end of heavy, so it would cost a PC 3 hardware points at character creation. Movement is based on walking speed, so the <i>Destiny</i> movement is 2. Heat dissipation is equal to the number of heat sinks divided by 5, rounding to the nearest whole number; here, the <i>Plinker</i> has heat dissipation of 3.</p><p><u>2) Add Tags</u></p><p>Suggested tags include battlefield role, history, feature, flaw, and quirk. Battlefield role is easy; the <i>Plinker</i> is a sniper, meant for long range shots. Since this is not a standard 'Mech, I can call the <i>Plinker</i> a prototype, designed and built during the Clan invasion to keep the invaders at bay while the brawlers move in. For a flaw, a faulty SRM link system, where not all launchers fire. Feature includes updated targeting system. As for quirk, cockpit coffee maker runs through the medium laser housing.</p><p><u>3) Armour and Structure</u></p><p>Every section with armour and structure takes the values and divides them by 3, again, rounding nearest. with a minimum of 1. Left and right toroso armour and all rear armour does not count here. <i>Destiny</i> is more cinematic than the core wargame and <i>A Time of War</i>.</p><p></p><blockquote><p>Armour/Internal Structure:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Head: 3/1</li><li> Left/Right Arm: 4/14</li><li> Centre Torso: 11/8</li><li> Left/Right Torso: 8/5</li><li> Left/Right Leg: 4/5</li></ul><p></p><p></p></blockquote><p>Heat dissipation is important. Too much heat and a BattleMech will shut down or, worse, explode messily. Pilots can roast in their cockpits. All BattleMechs come with ten heat sinks integral to the engine, but more can be added. With <i>Destiny</i>, the heat dissipation is equal to the number of heat sinks divided by 5; for the PLNK-5R, this is 3.</p><p><u>3) Assign Weapon Groups</u></p><p>These are the weapons grouped for the pilot's convenience. I could designate a weapon as the primary, but that doesn't really work for the <i>Plinker</i>. The first weapon group is all the AC/2s, the second and third are the SRM2s, lefft for group two, right for group three. The medium laser is a in a group by itself. All the weapons in a group will fire at the same target, which is not an issue here. The goal of the 'Mech is to annoy and shred armour, not destroy light 'Mechs in one shot.</p><p>For group one, the AC/2s, the damage is the sum of the <i>Total War</i> damages, then divided by 3, rounding nearest. AC/2s do two points of damage - it's in the name, after all - so weapon group one will do two points of damage. Weapon groups two and three each have SRM2s; damage is the sum of all launchers' damage with +M for missile hit per launcher. Here, it works out to 2+MM, with a Max of 3. The medium laser needs no extra work to calculate damage, which comes out to 2.</p><p>Now to figure out the heat generated by these groups. Group one, the AC/2s, generate two heat per weapon in <i>Total Warfare</i>, for six heat for the group. That, though, gets divided by 5, round nearest, for a total of 1 heat in <i>Destiny</i>. The pairs of SRM2s in weapon groups two and three generate two heat in <i>TW</i> each, resulting in a heat rating of 1 in <i>Destiny</i>. Finally, the medium laser generates one heat in <i>Destiny</i>.</p><p>Finally, every 'Mech gets punch and kick damage. Both are based on tonnage; punch damage is tonnage divided by 30, kick is tonnage divided by 15. No heat is generated by punching or kicking, but the 'Mech is far too close to another that has good short range weapons. The PLNK-5R does 3 points of punch damage and 5 points of kick.</p><p> Damage Type Heat Loc Pointblank Short Medium Long</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Punch/Kick 3 / 5 -- -- -- OK -- -- --</li><li>3 AC/2s 2 B H T,RA.LA -2 OK OK -2</li><li>2 SRM2s 2+MM (max 3) M H RA OK OK -2 --</li><li>2 SRM2s 2+MM (max 3) M H LA OK OK -2 --</li><li>Medium Laser 5 E H H OK OK -2 --</li></ul><p></p><p><u>5) Equipment</u></p><p>The <i>Plinker</i> relies on its ammo. As per above, the PLNK-5R has SRM ammo in the torso and AC/2 ammo in the left and right arms. There's no other equipment added. The 'Mech is meant to be a sniper, hidden, not a brawler.</p><p>And that's it. Let's gather all the info together to make it as readable as possible on Blogspot.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">PLNK-5R <i>Plinker</i></span></b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Weight: Heavy</li><li>Tonnage: 75 tons (3 Hardware points)</li><li>Movement: 2</li><li>Heat Dissipation: 3</li></ul><p></p><p>Tags: Sniper * Prototype * Faulty TIC Link * Updated Targeting * Damn Fine Coffee</p><p>Armour/Internal Structure:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Head: 3/1</li><li> Left/Right Arm: 4/14</li><li> Centre Torso: 11/8</li><li> Left/Right Torso: 8/5</li><li> Left/Right Leg: 4/5</li></ul><p></p><p>Weapons</p><p> Damage Type Heat Loc Pointblank Short Medium Long</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Punch/Kick 3 / 5 -- -- -- OK -- -- --</li><li>3 AC/2s 2 B H T,RA.LA -2 OK OK -2</li><li>2 SRM2s 2+MM (max 3) M H RA OK OK -2 --</li><li>2 SRM2s 2+MM (max 3) M H LA OK OK -2 --</li><li>Medium Laser 5 E H H OK OK -2 --</li></ul><p>Equipment</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Ammo: AC/2 (Torso)</li><li> Ammo: SRM2 (Left Arm)</li><li> Ammo: SRM2 (Right Arm)</li></ul><p></p><p>This, the PLNK-5R. It's not flashy, but it is annoying. Probably won't be found on Solaris, but some planetary militia might have one. It's a heavy 'Mech with a specialized role, and that role is to annoy Clanners.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jLeHk5-_ZC8/YMfp0g3LTNI/AAAAAAAAHT0/WlLSNsytXo8Jk9pZTOAMh_4Ep47PnUMsgCPcBGAsYHg/s4000/20210610_164814_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jLeHk5-_ZC8/YMfp0g3LTNI/AAAAAAAAHT0/WlLSNsytXo8Jk9pZTOAMh_4Ep47PnUMsgCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20210610_164814_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Clanners might have the iconic MadCat but I have a Happy Cat.<br />(Model: Jewel; photo by author)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><div>As always, let me know if you use the PLNK-5R, either the <i>Total War</i> version or the <i>MechWarrior Destiny</i>. I'm always interested in how things work out.</div><div><br /></div><div>Friday, <i>Lost in Translation</i> continues at <a href="http://psychodrivein.com" target="_blank">Psycho Drive-In</a>.</div><div>Saturday, *Lost in Translation* can be found at <a href="http://codex.seventhsanctum.com" target="_blank">The Seventh Sanctum</a>.</div></div><div><br /></div>Scott Delahunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735796666483741699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464382918796251124.post-21513796048318684812021-06-10T18:00:00.001-04:002021-06-10T18:00:00.203-04:00Test Run - Sentinel Comics the Roleplaying Game - The Random Method<p>Time to go back to <a href="https://greaterthangames.com" target="_blank">Greater Than Games</a>' <i>Sentinel Comics the Roleplaying Game</i>. A few weeks ago, I modelled <a href="https://thechaosbeast.blogspot.com/2021/05/test-run-sentinel-comics-roleplaying.html" target="_blank">Ringette</a> using the game. This time around, I want to try the random character creation method. I finally figured out what they game meant by rolling dice now that I wasn't focused on modelling a specific character. Both methods are viable in the game, which is a strength. Since this will get long, everything starts after the break.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>The random method starts with rolling two 10-sided dice to determine background. From there, each result will indicate the dice to roll for the next step, along with abilities and powers that go along with the result. The dice results can read singly or in any combination, so there will be a choice every step barring doubles and triples.</p><p><b>1) Background</b></p><p>The results of the 2d10 are 1 and 9. I can choose from the Upper Class, Performer, or Military backgrounds. Since the best superpower in comics in incredible wealth - see Batman and Lex Luthor for examples - I'll go with Upper Class. I get to assign a d10 and a d8s to two qualities. I'll take Persuasion at d10 and Conviction at d8. I also have to choose a Responsibility principle; I`ll grab Principle of Business. The character has a good income. For the next step, I get a d10 and two d8s to roll.</p><p><b>2) Power Source</b></p><p>The results of the dice roll from Background are 3, 4, and 7. I can choose from Genetic, Experimentation, Relic, Tech Upgrades, Supernatural, or Alien. Tech Upgrades feels like a natural fit with Upper Class, but I know of a rich Genetic hero (Angel, from <i>X-Men</i>) and a rich Supernatural hero (Moon Knight), so all are possible. Still, I could go with a Power Suit, so Tech Upgrades wins. The dice from Background, the d10 and two d8s, are assigned as follows - Power Suit at d10, Intuition at d8, and Sonic at d8. I get two Yellow abilties, each using a different power. Tactical Analysis goes well with the Intuition, though the ability doesn't use a power die. The second Yellow ability I take is Recharge, which will use the Power Suit die. Finally, I get a Green ability; I take Organi-Hack, to use with the Sonic die. For the next step, I can roll a d10 and two d8s.</p><p><b>3) Archetype</b></p><p>The results of the dice roll from Power Source are 3, 4, and 10, giving me a choice of Physical Powerhouse, Marksman, Armoured, Robot/Cyborg, Transporter, Minion-Maker, or Gadgeteer. A nice range of choices that fits so far with what I have already. I'll take Arnoured, since the feeling I'm getting from the character is heading in that direction, though Marksman and Gadgeteer were not too far behind. I assigned the d10 to Strength and the d8s to Ranged Combat and Banter. Being Armoured, I get the Green ability Armoured and can choose three more using at least two different powers. I'll take Dual Offense for the Sonic weapon in the armour, Repair using Power Suit, and Unstoppable Charge, using Strength. I can now take an Expertise principle, which will be Principle of the Gearhead. I'll make a note that I can use a Materials or Technological Power instead of an Athletic power or Mental quality when determining Health in step 7. For the next step, I can roll two d10s.</p><p><b>4) Personality</b></p><p>The d10s from Archetype result in a pair of 9s. I have the choice between Inquisitive and Apathetic. Apathy in a driven business-type person doesn't work, so Inquisitive it is. Besides, that's how the money is made, by try to find a new niche to fill, even if that niche has to be created. I get a quality based on the backstory, so Start-Up Business gets a d8. The Out ability is to allow an ally to reroll one of their dice with a Reaction. Status dice are d6 in the Green Zone, d8 in the Yellow, and d10 in the Red; when the chips are down, the character steps up.</p><p><b>5) Red Abilities</b></p><p>I get to choose two Red abilities, limited by needing to have dice in a power or quality in the category. I'll take Unload, using the Power Suit die, and Heroic Sacrifice.</p><p><b>6) Retcon</b></p><p>Time to see if there's anything missing. The power armour seems a little slow, so I'll add Speed at d6 to the powers.</p><p><b>7) Health</b></p><p>Health is the sum of the maximum value of my Red die, the maximum value of any Athletic power, Mental quality, or Technoligical power (I have no Materials power), and the roll of a d8 or 4, my choice. That works out to 8 + 10 (Red status die is d10) + 10 (Power Suit and Strength are both d10) + 2 (I chose to roll and rolled poorly), for a total of 30.</p><p><b>8) Finishing Touches</b></p><p>Now to work out the good stuff like name and secret ID. Victor Vernon, CEO and founder of Double-V Electronics, fights crime as the armoured hero, Valiant. Victor built his armour as a personal project at Double-V, with breakthroughs being filtered down to different departments, such as feedback systems to prosthetic design. He is concerned about what could happen if someone reverse engineers the suit. In the meantime, the suit will remain the test bed for new technology, being filtered through the various divisions of Double-V to consumer products.</p><p>I've also renamed the powers, to better reflect the character. Here are the changes:</p><p>Green:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Armoured - Power Armour</li><li> Dual Offense - Harmony Shot</li><li> Unstoppable Charge - Bull Rush</li><li> Repair -> Self-Repair System</li><li> Organi-Hack -> Sonic Blast</li></ul><p></p><p>Yellow:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Tactical Analysis -> Eye for Danger</li><li> Recharge -> Reserve Power</li></ul><p></p><p>Red</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Unload - Death Blossom</li><li> Ultimatum - Damage Magnet</li></ul><p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Valiant</span></b></p><p>Alias: Victor Vernon</p><p><u>Physical Attributes</u></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Gender: Mail</li><li> Age: Early 30s</li><li> Height: 5'11"</li><li> Eyes: Hazel<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hair: Blonde<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Skin: Caucasian</li><li> Build: Athletic</li><li> Costume/Equipment: The Valiant armour is bulky, containing experimental equipment that hasn't yet been miniaturized. The armour is blue with gold trim.</li></ul><p></p><p><u>Characteristics</u></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Background: Upper Class</li><li> Power Source: Tech Upgrades</li><li> Archetype: Armoured</li><li> Personality: Inquisitive</li></ul><p></p><p><u>Principle of Business</u></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> During Roleplaying: You are an entrepreneur; running a business is an important part of your life and your identity. You have a base of operations that you can rely on for support.</li><li> Minor Twist: You`re always looking at the bigger picture. How does this cause friction in the moment with your team?</li><li> Major Twist: Your business interests are in danger. What are your priorities, truly?</li></ul><p></p><p><u>Principle of The Gearhead</u></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> During Roleplaying: You always know the general state of repair or function of an item of technology, whether it's a simple toaster or an alien defense station.</li><li> Minor Twist: What mechanical device just shorted out?</li><li> Major Twist: What machine went entirely off the rails?</li></ul><p></p><p><u>Powers</u></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Intuition d8</li><li> Power Suit d10</li><li> Speed d6</li><li> Sonic d8</li><li> Strength d10</li></ul><p></p><p><u>Qualities</u></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Banter d8</li><li> Conviction d8</li><li> Persuasion d10</li><li> Ranged Combat d8</li><li> Start-Up Business d8</li></ul><p></p><p><u>Status Dice<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Health Range</u></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Green: d6<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>30-23</li><li> Yellow: d8<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>22-12</li><li> Red: d10<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>11-1</li><li><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Current Health: 30</li></ul><p></p><p><u>Abilities</u></p><p>Green</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Bull Rush (A) - Attack using Strength. Ignore all penalties on this Attack, ignore any Defend actions, and it cannot be affected by Reactions.</li><li> Harmony Shot (A) - Attack using Sonic die. Attack a second targets using your Min die.</li><li> Power Armour (I) - Reduce any physical or energy damage taken by 1 in the Green Zone, 2 in the Yellow Zone, and 3 in the Red Zone.</li><li> Self-Repair System (A) - Attack using Power Suit. Recover Health equal to your Min die.</li><li> Sonic Blast (A) - Attack a target using Sonic. Hinder that target with your Min die.</li><li> Principle of Business (A) - Overcome a situation related to your field of business or knowing locals. Use your Max die. You and your allies each gain a hero point.</li><li> Principle of the Gearhead (A) - Overcome a technological challenge and use your Max die. You and each of your allies gain a hero point.</li></ul><p></p><p>Yellow</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Eye for Danger (R) - When Attacked, treat the amount of damage received as a Boost action for yourself.</li><li> Reserve Power (A) - Boost yourself using Power Suit. Then, either remove a penalty on yourself or Recover using your Min die.</li></ul><p></p><p>Red</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Damage Magnet (R) - When an opponent Attacks, you may become the target of that Attack and Defend using your single Red Zone die.</li><li> Death Blossom[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLNvUsTBGyE] (A) - Attack multiple targets with Power Suit, using your Max+Min dice. If you roll doubles, either take a minor twist or damage using your Mid die.</li></ul><p></p><p>Out</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Choose an Ally. They may reroll one of their dice by using a Reaction.</li></ul><p></p><p>After the Background and Power Source, I began to get a good feel to what the character would be. The random rolls are good for starting the creative process if a player is stuck on what to play. The method also allows for choice without causing <a href="https://procrastination.com/blog/9/decision-paralysis-overthinking-choices" target="_blank">decision paralysis</a>. The character is still viable at the end of the process. Valiant and Ringette are equally effective despite the two methods used. Time take was about the same for both methods. I've played around with the random method a few times and wound up leaving it when Background and Power Source suggested a complete character and I just went with modelling the idea for the rest of the character.</p><p>As always, feel free to use this character in your own game, but please let me know how it goes.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vUS8kHTcB4U/YLQHugsLx-I/AAAAAAAAHQ8/G3h6vwCrUB4LKL-02GdT6S0G_54U__5ywCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210528_151151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1860" data-original-width="4032" height="296" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vUS8kHTcB4U/YLQHugsLx-I/AAAAAAAAHQ8/G3h6vwCrUB4LKL-02GdT6S0G_54U__5ywCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h296/20210528_151151.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Since I don't have a picture of the character, here is Jewel sitting on top of me while I try to sleep. (Model is Jewel, photo by author.)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Friday, <i>Lost in Translation</i> continues at <a href="http://psychodrivein.com" target="_blank">Psycho Drive-In</a>.</p><div><div>Saturday, <i>Lost in Translation</i> can be found at <a href="http://codex.seventhsanctum.com" target="_blank">The Seventh Sanctum</a>.</div></div><div><br /></div>Scott Delahunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735796666483741699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464382918796251124.post-4440099874016984292021-06-03T18:00:00.001-04:002021-06-03T18:00:00.207-04:00Test Run - MechWarrior Destiny - The Clans<p><a href="https://thechaosbeast.blogspot.com/2021/05/test-run-mechwarrior-destiny.html" target="_blank">Last outing</a> with <a href="https://www.catalystgamelabs.com" target="_blank">Catalist Game Labs</a>' <i>MechWarrior Destiny</i> went well. This time around, I want to try out the character creation system for a Clanner PC. As usual, everything will be after the break.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>When I created Ensign Catalina Francesca Mendoza y Romero, I used the default setting of 3025, the end of the Third Succession War. The Clans, though, were introduced in Michael A. Stackpole's <i>Blood of Kerensky</i> series, starting in-universe in late 3049. The invading Clans had advantages that the Inner Sphere lost due to centuries of warfare, including technology and a level of integration not seen. Clan MechWarriors were far more skilled than their Inner Sphere counterparts with BattleMechs that could take and deal more punishment than equivalent tonnage from the Inner Sphere.</p><p>The Clans looked like they could sweep through the Inner Sphere except for two event. The first happened at the former Free Raselhague Republic world of Radstatd, where the Elected Prince of the FRR was heading without realizing that Clan Wolf had just finished taking the world. In the ensuing battle, Tyra Miraborg <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMqR0ANOSVM" target="_blank">A-Winged</a> her AeroFighter into the bridge of the Clan Wolf warship, where a war council was taking place with the Khan of the Clan Smoke Jaguar who was also the Khan of all the Clans. Miraborg wound up stalling the invasion by forcing the the Smoke Jaguars to appoint a new Khan and forcing a recall of the invading Clans for a year as they figured out who was the new ilKahn. Miraborg's sacrifice was honoured by the Clans, with the Smoke Jaguars renaming a DropShip class in her honour.</p><p>The second event was ComStar calling what the Clans know as a <i>batchall</i>, a battle challenge, with the planet of Tukayyid being a proxy for Earth. If ComStar won, there would be a fifteen year truce before the Clans could continue their invasion. If the Clans won, they'd have control of Earth and could continue their invasion. There is a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QffouI6OA00" target="_blank"><i>Tex Talks BattleTech</i> that covers the Battle of Tukayyid</a> more thoroughly. The short version is that ComStar had been studying the Clans, their tactics and their culture. They had an insight that the Inner Sphere House militaries did not. ComStar also had access to Star League-era technology, long thought lost, and was closer to being on par with the Clans' tech. May 3052 saw the result, the Battle of Tukayyid.</p><p>When the battle was over, ComStar had suffered heavy losses, but only Clan Wolf achieved their objectives. Clan Jade Falcon had a draw, having taken only one objective. The Steel Vipers pulled out of the fighting after losing a quarter of their forces. The Smoke Jaguars lost a third of their personnel and over 80% of their equipment. The Nova Cats came back with just fifteen MechWarriors after sending 90 to <i>375</i> times as many to Tukayyid. The Diamond Sharks were worse off, with their entire warrior caste destroyed.</p><p>The Inner Sphere eventually realized that fighting the Clans wasn't going to solve the core problem. The goal of the Clans was to reinstate the Star League. The Inner Sphere Houses beat the Clans to the punch and established the Second Star League, with Chancellor Sun Tsu Liao of the Capellan Confederation elected as the new First Lord. The new Star League put down Clan aggression, finally ending the invasion.</p><p>Right. With that brief scratching of the surface of the Clans, let's get going with the thirteen steps. <i>MechWarrior Destiny</i> uses the year 3050 for the Clan Invasion appendix, so let's go with that.</p><p><b>1) Character Theme</b></p><p>This time around, I'm going with an ambitious character, one who is a rising star, or <i>ristar</i>, within the Clans. One who may bite off more than he or she can chew. One who already has a Blood Name. I don't want command yet; that is one of the character's goals. Let's get the name and tags done. The character's name is Carter Ott, with tags MechWarrior, Ambitious, Proud, Crusader, Trueborn, Idealist</p><p><b>2) Faction</b></p><p>Carter is from Clan Smoke Jaguar. Chances are good that he survives Tukayyid, though without a BattleMech, if the game reaches that point. Or, afterwards, he's no longer accepted by the Clan, in which case replace the tag Idealist with Disillusioned.</p><p><b>3) Experience Level</b></p><p>Clan PCs in <i>Destiny</i> start at Veteran, to reflect their training and hardware. However, I want to go with Elite, just to see how it works out. </p><p><b>4) Attribute Points</b></p><p>All Attributes start at 1. Carter gets nine Attribute points, but the highest an attribute can be at this step is 4. I set STR to 2, RFL to 4, WIL to 3, INT to 2, CHA to 3, and EDG to 1.</p><p>Carter's condition monitors can now be set. He marks the two pips off the first row and one pip from the second row of his Physical Damage Track. His Fatigue Damage Track loses one pip each from the first and second row.</p><p><b>5) Skill Points</b></p><p>Like last time, skill levels will be bought at a one-for-one rate, and I will need a Knowedge skill as part of the choices. Elite level PCs get 20 skill points to spend. The result:</p><p>Gunnery: BattleMech 3</p><p>Knowledge: Smoke Jaguar <i>Remembrance</i> 2</p><p>Leadership 1</p><p>Piloting: BattleMech 3</p><p>Protocol 1</p><p>Small Arms 2</p><p>Tactics 1</p><p>Athletics 2</p><p>Perception 2</p><p>Navigation 1</p><p>Melee Combat 2</p><p><b>6) Traits</b></p><p>Carter gets one positive and one negative trait, and can take a second positive trait if he takes a second negative trait. Carter takes Toughness for the positive trait and Enemy for the negative.</p><p><b>7) Life Modules</b></p><p>There are new Life Modules for the Clans, reflecting their culture and training. I'll use the new ones for Childhood, Higher Education, and Real Life. For Childhood, Carter was raised in a Trueborn Sibko, gaining +1 to Intimidation. Carter's Higher Education was spent in MechWarrior Training (Clan) to no one's surprise, getting +1 Piloting (BattleMech). For Real Life, Carter takes Warrior Caste: Tour of Duty (Clan), gaining +1 to Gunnery (BattleMech). Yes, that means Carter's Piloting and Gunnery in a BattleMech is a 4 before adding in his Reflexes. That's how the invading Clans got so far into the Inner Sphere until Tira Miraborg decapitated the Clan hierarchy.</p><p><b>8) Armour</b></p><p>Carter gets one suit of armour. He takes the Infiltration suit, providing protection from both ballistic and energy weapons. It only has eight pips of defense, but Carter should be doing most of his fighting in his 'Mech's cockpit. Fighting infantry is the job for Elementals.</p><p><b>9) Select Weapons</b></p><p>Being Elite, Carter gets four weapons, on top of either Unarmed or Martial Arts. He takes a laser pistol, a knife, a vibro-sword, and a gyrojet rifle, for a mix of uses. Swords and rifles are awkward to get to inside a Mech's cockpit.</p><p><b>10) Select Inventory</b></p><p>Carter gets four pieces of gear, which can also be personal effects. The first item is the Remembrance, the Smoke Jaguar history, set in verse. A noteputer is always handy, as are a set of night-vision goggles. A pristine dress uniform rounds out Carter's inventory.</p><p><b>11) Select Hardware</b></p><p>Time for a BattleMech. Clans get an extra hardware point, but the catch is that Clan OmniMechs, the BattleMechs that can be customized each mission, also cost a point more than a regular BattleMech in the same class. As an Elite PC, Carter gets four points, five when adding the bonus point for being a Clanner. That can get him an Assault Clan BattleMech or a Heavy Clan OmniMech. Since I know what I want for Carter, he gets a <i>Mad Dog</i>, aka a <i>Vulture</i> heavy OmniMech. Sure, I could have gone with the more iconic <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7Tf_Rn0Koo" target="_blank">Mad Cat</a></i>, but the <i>Vulture</i> was fun to pilot in <i>MechWarrior 2</i> on the PlayStation.</p><p><b>12) Create Cues</b></p><p>These are catchphrases that the character can use. I tend to develop these in play, so I'll just pass over them for now.</p><p><b>13) Create Character Background</b></p><p>Essentially, time to fill out the character sheet. Let's do that.</p><p><b><u>Carter Ott</u></b></p><p><u>Attributes</u></p><p>STR 2 RFL 4 WIL 3 INT 2 CHA 3 EDG 1</p><p><u>Skills</u></p><p>Athletics 2+2 (+4)</p><p>Gunnery: BattleMech 4+4 (+8)</p><p>Intimidation 1+3 (+4)</p><p>Knowledge: Smoke Jaguar <i>Remembrance</i> 2+2 (+4)</p><p>Leadership 1+3 (+4)</p><p>Melee Combat 2+4 (+6)</p><p>Navigation 1+2 (+3)</p><p>Perception 2+2 (+4)</p><p>Piloting: BattleMech 4+4 (+8)</p><p>Protocol 1+3 (+4)</p><p>Small Arms 2+4 (+6)</p><p>Tactics 1+2 (+3)</p><p><u>Life Modules</u></p><p>Faction: Clan Smoke Jaguar</p><p>Childhood: Trueborn Sibko</p><p>Higher Education: MechWarrior Training (Clan)</p><p>Real Life: Warrior Caste: Tour of Duty (Clan)</p><p><u>Vital Factors</u></p><p>Faction: Clan Smoke Jaguar</p><p>Age: 21</p><p>Rank: Star Commander</p><p>Height/Weight: 1.80cm/79kg</p><p>XP: 0</p><p>Tags: MechWarrior * Ambitious * Proud * Crusader * Trueborn * Idealist</p><p><u>History</u></p><p>From a young age, Carter knew he was destined for greatness. During his Trial of Position, he earned the rank of Star Commander before his 'Mech shut down from overheating. He earned his bloodname shortly after and was noticed as one of the Clan's ristars. That has given Carter an inflated ego, something that might get popped during the invasion of the Inner Sphere.</p><p><u>Inventory</u></p><p>Smoke Jaguar <i>Remembrance</i></p><p>Night-vision Goggles</p><p>Noteputer</p><p>Pristine Dress Uniform</p><p><u>Traits</u></p><p>Positive: Toughness - Subtract 1 from all Physical and Fatigue damage taken; damage to armour pips is not reduced.</p><p>Negative: Enemy - Carter has gotten on the wrong side of a Jade Falcon MechWarrior.</p><p><u>Personal Weaponry</u></p><p>Martial Arts - Damage 2F, Close OK, Near --, Far --</p><p>Knife - Damage 1, Close OK, Near -2, Far --</p><p>Vibrodagger - Damage 2, Close -2, Near --, Far --</p><p>Laser Pistol (E) - Damage 3, Close OK, Near OK, Far OK</p><p>Gyrojet Rifle - Damage 5, Close OK, Near OK, Far OK</p><p><u>Armour</u></p><p>Infiltrator Armour: -1 damage from ballistic (B) and energy (E) weapons</p><p>OOOO/OOOO</p><p><u>Physical Condition Monitor</u></p><p> O -1 (CON Check: 3)</p><p> OO -2 (CON Check: 5)</p><p>OOO -3 (CON Check: 7)</p><p>OOO -4 (CON Check: 10)</p><p> O Staggered (CON Check: 11)</p><p> O Dead (CON Check: Dead)</p><p><u>Fatigue Condition Monitor</u></p><p> OO -1</p><p> OO -2</p><p>OOO -3</p><p>OOO -4</p><p> O Staggered</p><p> O Knocked Out</p><p>As always, if you use Carter, please let me know.</p><p>Like Catalina, Carter was easy to create. With more points, he is more skilled, but that's the difference between the Clans and the Inner Sphere. Something to note, though, is that Clan PC creation isn't completely compatible with Inner Sphere character creation. If you're going for a mix of Clan and IS characters, choose where the campaign will be set before starting. If the PCs are going to be an Inner Sphere mercenary group with a Clanner pilot as part of the unit, figure out how that works, then use the IS Hardware totals. The Clanner is still going to be a Veteran, but may not have access to an OmniMech. However, if the group is playing a Clan unit with someone wanting to be a former IS bondsman taking the same route as <a href="https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Phelan_Kell" target="_blank">Phelan Kell</a> to become a Clan warrior, then use the Clan Hardware rules while using the IS Life Path. Mixing and matching is allowed; it just takes a bit of thought.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y5Jz-_6xXeA/YLPnIwksZPI/AAAAAAAAHQw/UeQlzYtYn4sRYK1Q3mANQ0dcTeBYOzLAwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210329_160136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1860" data-original-width="4032" height="296" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y5Jz-_6xXeA/YLPnIwksZPI/AAAAAAAAHQw/UeQlzYtYn4sRYK1Q3mANQ0dcTeBYOzLAwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h296/20210329_160136.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cat photo for making it this far. (Model is Jewel, photo by author.)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Friday, <i>Lost in Translation</i> continues at <a href="http://psychodrivein.com" target="_blank">Psycho Drive-In</a>.</p><p>Saturday, <i>Lost in Translation</i> can be found at <a href="http://codex.seventhsanctum.com" target="_blank">The Seventh Sanctum</a>.</p>Scott Delahunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735796666483741699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464382918796251124.post-33852747679643697262021-05-27T18:00:00.001-04:002021-05-27T18:00:00.217-04:00Starfighter Thoughts<p>I had a thought strike me, when then expanded for a possible setting detail, involving the use of starfighters in science fiction. Starfighters tend to fill in the role of air superiority fighter planes in the real world, but the ranges involved in space are far greater than on a planet. Even now, ranges in dogfight or in naval battles are beyond visual, sometimes beyond the horizon. Radar can provide targeting for missiles, and the use of cannons on a jet fighter is getting rarer.</p><p>In space, barring a large body to hide behind such as a moon, radar contact will be made long before visual contact. Missiles and other weapons will cross the distance faster than any starfighter, leaving launched pilots either verifying hits or wondering if there's a home to return to. The only reason to launch starfighters is to provide a screen against the opposition's starfighter screen.</p><p>At shorter ranges, where there are bodies like a moon blocking sensors, starfighters become a bit more useful. Bodies that block sensors also block direct fire weapons like lasers and rail guns, and missiles need a target lock before homing. Starfighters can get in the way of a proper lock depending on the abilties of the gunner and sensor operator of the opposition, and they can make strafing runs in the hopes of taking out weapons and sensors. Countering the smaller, more maneuverable ships require smaller, more maneuverable ships, so starfighter vs starfighter again happens.</p><p>Part of the problem, at least in film and television, is that screen space is the limitation. Long range attacks, the hundreds and thousands of kilometres between ships, doesn't look impressive on screen. When that long a range is involved, the focus is on the crew on board the ship, not on what's happening outside. A good example is the <i>Star Trek</i> episode "Balance of Terror", which was, essentially, a naval battle between a cruiser and a submarine in space. The episode never showed the <i>Enterprise</i> and the Bird-of-Prey on screen at the same time.</p><p>Why have starfighters when starfighters are almost superfluous? In fiction, drama and conflict. The focus comes down to something more personal, with the audience ideally on the side of the protagonist fighter pilots. The next question is, who are these pilots.</p><p>This is where the spark happened. I connected starfighter pilots to feudal knights, the cavalry that charged forward while the raised rabble looked on nervously before being sent into the breach. The knightly charge would hit the opposition knightly charge first, then as units sorted themselves out, the survivors would look for another noble unit to go after, charge towards the enemy's troops with the goal of getting to the support wagons for looting, or go after the Poor, Bloody Infantry.</p><p>Now to translate this into a SF setting. Societies are going to need a feudal background, even if they have gone democratic at some point. The knights that used to make up the cavalry become starfighter pilots, much like cavalry in our world became aerial fighters in World War I when trench warfare turned out to be deadly for horse-mounted troops. In democracies, starfighter pilots will have the cachet that fighter pilots have today. In a future feudal system, lower ranking nobles will go into the starfighter program, but higher levels, like the offspring of counts and dukes, will get into the command line of the space navy. Survival is more important and the potential prestige of commanding a warship is greater than the immediate prestige of being a starfighter pilot.</p><p>Now that I have this setting tidbit, what will I do with it? No idea. While I can incorporate some of the ideas into <i><a href="https://thechaosbeast.blogspot.com/p/mecha-academy-episode-1-roommates.html" target="_blank">Mecha Academy</a></i>, and thus Rhiannon is very unusual being in the infantry, but the concept deserves a greater look on its own. However, getting the idea worked out in words does help.</p><p>Friday, <i>Lost in Translation</i> continues at <a href="http://psychodrivein.com" target="_blank">Psycho Drive-In</a>.</p><p>Saturday, <i>Lost in Translation</i> can be found at <a href="http://codex.seventhsanctum.com" target="_blank">The Seventh Sanctum</a>.</p><div><br /></div>Scott Delahunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735796666483741699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464382918796251124.post-13229933581396920972021-05-20T18:00:00.001-04:002021-05-20T18:00:00.218-04:00Test Run - MechWarrior Destiny<p>Going to try keeping this going for another week. This time out, <a href="https://www.catalystgamelabs.com" target="_blank">Catalyst Game Labs</a>' <i>MechWarrior Destiny</i>, one of the <i>BattleTech</i> RPGs. <i>BattleTech</i> is on a renaissance right now, with a popular video game, a successful Kickstarter campaign to get a new edition with new miniatures, and an extensive fandom. And, yes, one of the RPGs. Prior to <i>Destiny</i> was <i>A Time of War</i>, which had an extensive and involved character creation method. <i>Destiny</i> kept the lifepath setup from <i>A Time of War</i> but simplified character creation by reducing the number of points to spend on drastically.</p><p><i>MechWarrior Destiny</i> uses the Cue System, the same system used in the <i>Valiant Universe Roleplaying Game</i>, as seen with <a href="https://thechaosbeast.blogspot.com/2014/10/project-peregrine-drive.html" target="_blank">Nasty</a> and <a href="https://thechaosbeast.blogspot.com/2015/03/test-run-valiant-universe-rpg.html" target="_blank">Ringette</a>. There are differences between the games, reflecting the source material. But the system does make character creation easier and faster. Since this will get long, the meat will appear after the break.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>There are thirteen steps to creating a character in <i>Destiny</i>. Seems like a lot, but, some of the steps are just choices, without having to work out numbers or skills. I will have to decide on an era of play now, though. <i>BattleTech</i> has several era, from the Star League, including the Aramis Civil War, from 2750-2775, the various succession wars, including the Third Succession War ending in 3025, the Fourth Succession Wars started at the wedding of Hanse Davion and Melissa Steiner in 3039, the Clan Invasion of about 3050, the new Star League and the ComStar Civil War from 3058-3067, and the Word of Blake Jihad of 3067, and beyond. There's a lot of room for any type of game. However, for this post, I'll use 3025, the default given in <i>Destiny</i>.</p><p><b>1) Character Theme</b></p><p>Essentially a quick description of the character. I want to work with a noble from the Magistracy of Canopus, one of the nations in the Periphery. The idea right now is that she is trying to prove herself worthy of being a noble in the realm. Canopus doesn't have hereditary nobility, technically, but passing something from mother to daughter will still happen. This character, though, wants to earn her title. The character also needs a name; I'll go with Catalina Francesca Mendoza y Romero. For tags, I'll use MechWarrior, Officer, Dedicated, Social, and Loyal.</p><p><b>2) Faction</b></p><p>The nation the character is from. I've already chosen for Catalina; she's from the Magistracy of Canopus.</p><p><b>3) Experience Level</b></p><p>Normally chosen by the GM or the group in general, for this example, I'll go with Regular. Catalina isn't fresh from the academy, but she doesn't have the experience that a front line MechWarrior from the Federated Suns would have. Regular characters have five Attribute points, twelve Skill points, two weapons, and two Hardware points.</p><p><b>4) Attribute Points</b></p><p>All Attributes start at 1. There are five attributes, Strength (STR), Reflexes (RFL), Willpower (WIL), Intelligence (INT), and Charisma (CHA). There is also a special attribute, Edge (EDG) that also starts at 1. The cost to increase an Attribute is 1, except for EDG, which costs 2. Catalina will bump up RFL, WIL, and INT to 2, costimg three points total, and CHA to 3, for another two points.</p><p>I can now also set Catalina's condition monitors. With a STR of 1, she needs to mark two pips off the first row and off the second on her Physical Damage Track. With her WIL of 2, she needs to mark two pips off the first row and one pip off the second of her Fatigue Damage Track. Catalina will need to not get hit, really.</p><p><b>5) Skill Points</b></p><p>Skill levels will be bought at a one-for-one rate, so a skill of 2 will cost 2 points total. I will have to get a Knowledge skill, a catch-all representing background and career. The twelve points get spent as follows:</p><p>Gunnery (BattleMech) 1</p><p>Knowledge (Spanish) 2</p><p>Leadership 1</p><p>Piloting (BattleMech) 2</p><p>Protocol 3</p><p>Small Arms 1</p><p>Tactics 2</p><p><b>6) Traits</b></p><p>Catalina gets one positive and one negative and can take a second positive as long as she takes another negative. I'll start with Attractive for the positive with the negative being Animal Antipathy. While Rank is tempting, I don't see her being in command of a unit yet.</p><p><b>7) Life Modules</b></p><p>There are three modules to be chosen - Childhood, Higher Education, which is optional, and Real Life. For Catalina's Childhood, I'll take Nobility, getting a +1 to her Protocol. For Higher Education, Catalina gets Family Training, as the Magistracy won't get a proper military academy until 3058, resulting in a +1 to Leadership. Finally, for Real Life, Catalina gets Tour of Duty, giving her a +1 to Gunnery (BattleMech).</p><p><b>8) Armour</b></p><p>Catalina has a choice of six different types of armour to choose from. Being from the Periphery, though, the most appropriate is the Flak Armour, providing ten pips of protection from ballistic (ie, gunfire) damage. There are armours that protect against energy weapons like lasers, but the tech isn't common in the Periphery, unlike the major Houses.</p><p><b>9) Select Weapons</b></p><p>Catalina gets two weapons based on her experience level. First weapon is a revolver, as they are more rugged generally than semi-auto pistols. The other weapons is a submachinegun, for when Catalina is caught away from her 'Mech.</p><p><b>10) Select Inventory</b></p><p>Catalina gets four pieces of gear, though the gear can also include personal effects. The first item I want is a family ring; Catalina comes from a long line of Canopian loyalists. Next, a field pack, since she expects to be out in the field more often than being at the base. Third piece is a noteputer, the setting's version of a tablet PC. Last, a dress uniform, since Catalina will get involved in the social part at times.</p><p><b>11) Select Hardware</b></p><p>Catalina can now get a BattleMech. She has enough to get a medium 'Mech, 40-55 tons, or can take a light and use the leftover Hardware point to raise EDG or spend two more skill points. Catalina will take the medium 'Mech, the family's WVR-6R *Wolverine*, a Star League-era 'Mech that has seen better days.</p><p><b>12) Create Cues</b></p><p>These are catchphrases that the character can use. I tend to develop these in play, so I'll just pass over them for now.</p><p><b>13) Create Character Background</b></p><p>Essentially, time to fill out the character sheet. Let's do that.</p><p><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Catalina Francesca Mendoza y Romero</span></u></p><p><b>Attributes</b></p><p>STR 1 RFL 2 WIL 2 INT 2 CHA 3 EDG 1</p><p><b>Skills</b></p><p>Gunnery (BattleMech) 2 + RFL (4+)</p><p>Knowledge (Spanish) 2 + INT (4+)</p><p>Leadership 2 + CHA (5+)</p><p>Piloting (BattleMech) 2 + RFL (4+)</p><p>Protocol 4 + CHA (6+)</p><p>Small Arms 1 + RFL (3+)</p><p>Tactics 2 + INT (4+)</p><p><b>Life Modules</b></p><p>Faction: Magistracy of Canopus</p><p>Childhood: Nobilty</p><p>Higher Education: Family Training</p><p>Real Life: Tour of Duty</p><p><b>Vital Factors</b></p><p>Faction: Magistracy of Canopus</p><p>Age: 27</p><p>Rank: Ensign</p><p>Height/Weight: 1.70m/60kg</p><p>XP: 0</p><p>Tags: MechWarrior * Officer * Dedicated * Social * Loyal</p><p><b>History</b></p><p>Catalina comes from a family with a tradition of serving the Magistracy in one form or another, which led to a non-hereditary noble title being passed along from generation to generation. Catalina wants to hold up her family tradition, but instead of using family money to hire a proxy to serve in the Magistracy Armed Forces, she went in herself, determined to make a mark.</p><p><b>Inventory</b></p><p>Family Ring</p><p>Dress Uniform</p><p>Field Pack</p><p>Noteputer</p><p><b>Traits</b></p><p>Positive: Attractive - +1 to CHA tests where physical appearance matters</p><p>Negative: Animal Antipathy - Animals just hate Catalina</p><p><b>Personal Weaponry</b></p><p>Unarmed - Damage 3F, Close OK, Near --, Far --</p><p>Revolver - Damage 4, Close OK, Near -2, Far --</p><p>Submachinegun - Damage 3, Close OK, Near OK, Far --, may attack two targers each Narration</p><p><b>Armour</b></p><p>Flak Armour: -2 damage from ballistic (B) weapons</p><p>OOOOO/OOOOO</p><p>Physical Condition Monitor</p><p> O -1 (CON Check: 3)</p><p> O -2 (CON Check: 5)</p><p>OOO -3 (CON Check: 7)</p><p>OOO -4 (CON Check: 10)</p><p> O Staggered (CON Check: 11)</p><p> O Dead (CON Check: Dead)</p><p><b>Fatigue Condition Monitor</b></p><p> O -1</p><p>O O -2</p><p>OOO -3</p><p>OOO -4</p><p> O Staggered</p><p> O Knocked Out</p><p>Creating Catalina was simple enough. Not too many choices but still left room for creativity. Another Canopian character could be anything from another MechWarrior to DropShip crew to spy to cruise attendant (Canopian cruisers are luxurious and have ample room for shenanigans for an enterprising young PC). At no point was I left floundering to fill in details. I feel that the concept I had at the beginning, even in its vagueness, is well represented with the final result.</p><p>As always, if you use Catalina, let me know how the character works out.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mtYC_LK9GsM/YJ3MP2qasMI/AAAAAAAAHNA/nu-SAvTgoUEj71j1rYKBNd5v8iQfwrOmACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210419_124215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1860" data-original-width="4032" height="185" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mtYC_LK9GsM/YJ3MP2qasMI/AAAAAAAAHNA/nu-SAvTgoUEj71j1rYKBNd5v8iQfwrOmACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h185/20210419_124215.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to rest. (photo by author, model is Jewel)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Friday, <i>Lost in Translation</i> continues at <a href="http://psychodrivein.com" target="_blank">Psycho Drive-In</a>.</p><p>Saturday, <i>Lost in Translation</i> can be found at <a href="http://codex.seventhsanctum.com" target="_blank">The Seventh Sanctum</a>.</p>Scott Delahunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735796666483741699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464382918796251124.post-64224594909904966832021-05-13T18:00:00.001-04:002021-05-13T18:00:00.195-04:00Test Run - Sentinel Comics the Roleplaying Game<p> Arise from the dead, blog! Arise!</p><p>Again, it's been a while. I don't have any serials prepped for posting, so it's been quiet. However, I've been able to buy a couple of new RPGs. I want to test out <i>Sentinel Comics the Roleplaying Game</i> from <a href="https://greaterthangames.com" target="_blank">Greater Than Games</a>. To do so, instead of creating Nasty from <i><a href="https://thechaosbeast.blogspot.com/p/subject-13-collection.html" target="_blank">Subject 13</a></i>, I'll use a different character, one who is not under-powered. I'll be using Ringette, who I've created using <i><a href="https://thechaosbeast.blogspot.com/2015/03/test-run-superbabes_16.html" target="_blank">Superbabes</a></i> and the <i><a href="https://thechaosbeast.blogspot.com/2015/03/test-run-valiant-universe-rpg.html" target="_blank">Valiant Universe Roleplaying Game</a></i>.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yL7ikH5Opoc/VQTFKqYlRZI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/6umOKbZ63H8WR5kG_7fGjlSKQsOE8p6jACPcBGAYYCw/s600/Ringette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yL7ikH5Opoc/VQTFKqYlRZI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/6umOKbZ63H8WR5kG_7fGjlSKQsOE8p6jACPcBGAYYCw/s16000/Ringette.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remember her? It has been six years.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><i>Sentinel Comics</i> is adapted from <i>Sentinels of the Multiverse</i>, a cooperative fixed deck card game where each player takes on the role of a superhero, saving the day against villains foul. The RPG comes in four colours, is split into logical sections, with an intro with the mechanics that includes examples, character creation, a GM section, and a campaign section for the <i>Sentinels</i> setting. I ordered directly from the company and got a bonus.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RKqtdOa-U-4/YJg_jICIfII/AAAAAAAAHL8/MpcDfZRy-2MVJ_w8j4fzFcKFrsQ8pMs4ACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210508_211024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1860" data-original-width="4032" height="296" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RKqtdOa-U-4/YJg_jICIfII/AAAAAAAAHL8/MpcDfZRy-2MVJ_w8j4fzFcKFrsQ8pMs4ACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h296/20210508_211024.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jewel loves the box I ordered for her. (photo by author)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>This is going to get long, so things will continue after the break.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>Going back to Ringette's concept, based on the pic above and the previous times out, she is a chemist who had an accident in her lab, resulting in her having the ability to throw rings of fire, raise a fire shield, and fly. Fairly straightforward, should not be difficult for superhero systems to model. <i>Sentinels</i> has an eight-step process, which I will use.</p><p><b>1) Background</b></p><p>Background is what the character did before being a hero. In Ringette`s case, Carly Nordstrom was a chemist working in a lab. The best fit, and it is a great fit, is Academic. Carly gets two dice, a d12 and a d8 to choose from Leadership, Self-Discipline, or a selection from the Information qualities. She chooses Science at d12 and Self-Discpline at d8. She then chooses an Expertise principle, taking Principle of the Lab, giving her access to a dedicated lab. Carly also gets a d10 and a d8 for power source selection.</p><p><b>2) Power Source</b></p><p>Power source is what changed a character into having powers. Ringette is the result of a lab accident. Turns out, there is an Accident power source. Carly has two dice, so can only choose two of Athletic, Elemental/Energy, Intellectual, Materials, Psychic, and Self-Control powers category. Carly will put the d10 from Background into Energy/Fire. The d8 is tougher, but Carly will take Deduction from the Intellectual category. She then gets two Yellow abilities and one Green. For the Yellow, Carly takes Inflict, using her Fire power and Reflexive Burst, using her Deduction. For the Green, she takes Immunity, choosing Fire as the element to not take damage from. Finally, Carly gets a d12 amd a d6 for archetype selection.</p><p><b>3) Archetype</b></p><p>Archetype is the how the powers manifest. In general in comics, you can have such types as Bricks (the Thing), Speedsters (Quicksilver and the Flash), and Gadgeteers (Batman, Hank Pym when he was with the West Coast Avengers). Looking over the list of archetypes available in *Sentinel*, the best fit is Blaster, and it is a good fit for Ringette. First thing is that Carly can assign one of the dice from the power source section to her Energy power. Since she has a d10 in Fire already, she swaps it out for the d12 from step 2. She now has a d10 and a d6 to deal with by choosing one from Signature Weaponry, Elemental/Energy, Mobility, and Technology and one from either the Mental or the Physical qualities. The d10 will go into Mobility, choosing Flight as the power. The d6 gets assigned to Investigation, reflecting more of Carly's chemist background.</p><p>Carly now gets two Green abilities and two Yellow. In both cases, the choices have to use different powers. For the Green, Carly takes Precise Hit, using her Fire power, and Danger Zone, using Mobility. With Yellow, she takes Imbue with Element, using her Fire power, and Heedless Blast, using Mobility. I see Heedless Blast in Carly's case as her flying full throttle into her opponent. She also gets an Esoteric principle and takes Principle of Fire. Finally, she gets two d10s for personality selection.</p><p><b>4) Personality</b></p><p>Personality is general, not specific, a broad brush. With the <i>Valiant</i> test, I used driven to describe Carly. The closest, and I think I prefer the description more, is Stalwart. She gets a quality based on her backstory, so Renowned Chemist is a d8. Her Out ability, used when she is out of health, is "Defend an ally by rolling your single Fire die." Carly also gets two Red abilities, and sets her Status die to d8 for each of Green, Yellow, and Red. Carly is steady no matter what is thrown at her.</p><p><b>5) Red Abilities</b></p><p>Red abilities are powers that come out when the chips are down and it's do-or-die. She takes Eruption, using her Fire power, and Give Time, using her Deduction. When she is pressed, Carly will sacrifice herself.</p><p><b>6) Retcon</b></p><p>Retcon allows for a change to adjust a character to fit the player's concept better. Right now, though, Ringette is looking good. I don't see an need to swap dice within powers or qualities, to change a power or quality, add a power, or increase Ringette's Red status die. Last option is to add a Red ability. Carly will take Take Down, using her Flight.</p><p><b>7) Health</b></p><p>Health is based on adding up the maximum value of Carly's Red status die (8), the maximum value of her best Mental quality or Athletic power (8, from Self-Discipline), plus the base 8 plus either the roll of a d8 or 4 (I'll take the latter). The total is 28. Ringette is in the Green when her health is 28-22, Yellow when health is 21-11, and Red when health is 10-1. Once health reaches 0, Ringette is Out, though that doesn't mean dead.</p><p><b>8) Finishing Touches</b></p><p>Technically, I went through these before starting, giving Ringette a name, a secret ID, creating a costume using the pic. There's a few more details, but I'll work them out in the character sheet below.</p><p><b><u><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Ringette</i></span></u></b></p><p>Alias: Carly Nordstrom</p><p><u>Physical Attributes</u></p><p> Gender: Female</p><p> Age: Late-20s</p><p> Height: 5'8"/</p><p> Eyes: Hazel Hair: Red Skin: Caucasian</p><p> Build: Athletic</p><p> Costume/Equipment: See pic above. Ringette wears protective glasses to help hide her identity and keep her eyes safe while flying. While in the lab, Carly keeps her hair tied back, but as Ringette lets her hair down.</p><p><u>Characteristics</u></p><p> Background: Academic</p><p> Power Source: Accident</p><p> Archetype: Blaster</p><p> Personality: Stalwart</p><p><u>Principle of the Lab</u></p><p> During Roleplaying: You have nearly unlimited accesss to a dedicated research area and are at home there.</p><p> Minor Twist: What did you make a detour to observe and sample for later experiments?</p><p> Major Twist: Something's gone very wrong at the lab; what was it?</p><p><u>Principle of Fire</u></p><p> During Roleplaying: You have an affinity to or a love of Fire. You can interact with fire with ease.</p><p> Minor Twist: What other element/energy is causing yours to go on the fritz?</p><p> Major Twist: What source of energy/element is dampening all your powers?</p><p><u>Powers</u></p><p> Deduction d8</p><p> Fire d12</p><p> Flight d10</p><p><u>Qualities</u></p><p> Investigation d6</p><p> Renowned Chemist d8</p><p> Self-Discipline d8</p><p> Science d12</p><p><u>Status Dice</u><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><u>Health Range</u></p><p> Green: d8<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>28-22</p><p> Yellow: d8<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>21-11</p><p> Red: d8<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>10-1</p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Current Health: 28</p><p><u>Abilities</u></p><p><span style="color: #04ff00;">Green</span></p><p> Danger Zone (A) - Attack multiple targets using Flight. Use your Min die against each.</p><p> Immunity (I) - You do not take any damage from fire.</p><p> Precise Hit (A) - Attack using Fire. Ignore all penalties on this attack, ignore any defend actions, and it cannot be affected by reactions.</p><p> Principle of Fire (A) - Overcome a challenge involving fire and use your Max die. You and each of your allies gain a hero point.</p><p> Principle of the Lab (A) - Overcome while in a familiar workplace or when you have ample research time. Use your Max die. You and each of your allies gain a hero point.</p><p><span style="color: #fcff01;">Yellow</span></p><p> Heedless Blast (A) - Attack multiple targets using Flight. Use your Mid die against each target. Take irreducible damage equire to your Mid die.</p><p> Imbue With Fire - Attack using Fire. Use your Max die. If you choose another hero to go next, boost that hero using your Mid die.</p><p> Inflict (A) - Attack using Fire. Hinder that same targer using your Min die.</p><p> Reflexive Burst (R) - When your personal zone changes, attacl all close enemy targets by rolling your single Deduction die.</p><p><span style="color: red;">Red</span></p><p> Eruption (A) - Attach up to three targets, one of which must be you, using Fire. Assign your Min, Mid, and Max dice as you choose among those targets.</p><p> Give Time (A) - Boost another hero using Deduction. If that hero has already acted for the turn, use your Max die and that hero loses Health equal to your Min die. That hero acts next in the turn order.</p><p> Take Down (A) - Attack using Flight. Use your Max die. Then, hinder that target using your Min+Mid dice.</p><p>Out</p><p> Defend an ally by rolling your single Fire die.</p><p>All things considered, Ringette fits with her previous incarnations. She's more of a powerhouse here given the escalation from Green through Yellow to Red. I could rename some of the abilities to better reflect Ringette, such as changing Heedless Blast to Headlong Rush. No change in the mechanics, but the names will reflect what it is she's doing.</p><p>As always, feel free to use this character in your own game, but please let me know how it goes.</p><p>Friday, <i>Lost in Translation</i> continues at <a href="http://psychodrivein.com" target="_blank">Psycho Drive-In</a>.</p><p>Saturday, <i>Lost in Translation</i> can be found at <a href="http://codex.seventhsanctum.com" target="_blank">The Seventh Sanctum</a>.</p><p><br /></p><br />Scott Delahunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735796666483741699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464382918796251124.post-11239428964252898152021-02-26T18:30:00.001-05:002021-02-26T18:30:03.815-05:00The Return<p>Hello, world!</p><p>Yes, it has been some time. Even <i><a href="http://psychodrivein.com/category/columns/lost-in-translation/" target="_blank">Lost in Translation</a></i> fell by the wayside. The reason? I caught COVID-19, confirmed with a test. Best reckoning is that I caught the virus second week of January. I felt run down, then as the virus wreaked havoc in me, I called in sick to work. I tried to get in, but when you wake up tired and run down, it makes a full day difficult, even when that day is normally slow. When I realized that I may have to keep calling in, I called the <a href="https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-issues/a-z/2019-coronavirus/testing-for-covid-19/" target="_blank">COVID hotline for Quebec</a> to make an appointment for testing.</p><p>The test was easy enough, but the nurse administering it noticed something else. I was having problems breathing. She could hear it. She gave me another number to call, but that will be later. After the test, I came back home and, after catching my breath, I went to bed to nap. I really don't remember much of the last two weeks of January, seeing I was in bed for most of it. I will say that being in bed napping is far better than being in the hospital hooked up to oxygen.</p><p>The day after the test, almost 24 hours after, I got the results. I tested positive and was ordered to quarantine. Easy enough, I didn't have the energy to go anywhere. I called into work afterwards to keep them in the loop, then napped yet again. Quarantine ended at the end of day of January 31. I still didn't go out. The closest to going out was to get a package that had been delivered to my front door.</p><p>Another problem came up after the diagnosis. I lost my appetite. The last thing I ate for the duration of the worst of it was a grilled chicken salad from Harvey's. I tried a second one later in the week and was able to finish the chicken but not the entire salad. Breaded chicken didn't work; the breading made me nauseous. Bread made me nauseous. Toast, though, didn't. I made it through the last week of January on toast. I also had to work to stay hydrated. I just couldn't drink that much water. February, though, I started drinking tea again, and that helped. I then started eating more solid foods and drinking two litres of water/liquid per day. I lost a good percentage of the weight I picked up since lockdown last March, but I do not recommend this method.</p><p>Feeling more energetic at the end of the first week of February, I went back to work. The Friday, I wound up leaving a couple of hours early having tired myself. Saturday, though, was quiet even for a Saturday and make through the full day. The next week, I'm back to regular hours, plus some changes in work duties in the works.</p><p>My breathing, though, wasn't so great. I also had a heavy, persistant cough that would wake me up at night. Having asthma, I have an inhaler, though I hadn't been using it in the latter half of January. I get back on it, and the cough lessens but still persisted. Remember the number the testing nurse gave me? I did, and called it to make an appointment. I get one, go in, and get the prognosis - <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pneumonia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354204#:~:text=Pneumonia%20is%20an%20infection%20that,and%20fungi%2C%20can%20cause%20pneumonia." target="_blank">pneumonia</a>. I left the doctor's appointment with a prescription for a <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/moxifloxacin-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20072313" target="_blank">heavy-duty, hospital grade antibiotic</a>. They worked. After three days, I was able to sleep through the night without waking up due to coughing. I'm breathing better, though I need to get a lung specialist again.</p><p>The doctor at the clinic also ordered x-rays for me. I figured it was to just confirm where the infection and its detritus was. Which it did, but it also revealed something else. I have a <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pneumothorax/symptoms-causes/syc-20350367#:~:text=A%20pneumothorax%20(noo-moe-,a%20portion%20of%20the%20lung." target="_blank">pneumothorax</a>. There is a small air bubble between my left lung, the one that the pneumonia hit, and my chest wall. The good news is that it's a small bubble, not worth the intervention, which would involve surgery.</p><p>One thing I will say - pneumonia is not as bad as COVID-19. While not being able to breathe isn't a good thing, it only left me winded. COVID laid me out, tired, unable to focus. <i>Lost in Translation</i> fell to the wayside with <a href="http://codex.seventhsanctum.com/2021/02/20/lost-in-translation-372-x-men-the-anime/" target="_blank">half a review written</a>. Hard to write when focus doesn't exist. Even my routine of working on scenes for stories while falling asleep failed; I either kept repeating a short part of the start of the scene, like a skipping record, or had other problems in life intrude. Not fun.</p><p>So that's been the past five weeks or so. I'm still getting into the swing of things again. Something should appear here in the next couple of weeks, but I have no idea what. Thanks for your patience if you're a regular and thanks if you read through all this.</p><p>Today, over at <a href="http://www.psychodrivein.com/" target="_blank">Psycho Drive-In</a>, <i>X-Men the Anime</i>.</p><p>Saturday, over at <a href="http://codex.seventhsanctum.com/" target="_blank">The Seventh Sanctum</a>, taking the week off. Still getting myself put back together. I am working on the next review.</p><div><br /></div>Scott Delahunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735796666483741699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464382918796251124.post-77756265795448574292021-01-01T00:00:00.001-05:002021-01-01T00:00:01.141-05:00Hello 2021, Good Riddance 2020<p>Welcome 2021. May you be a damned sight better than the past year. 2020 can now be relegated as hindsight, a lesson in what not to do.</p><p>Happy New Years!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mjyadFYP_hM/X-5_dbd_aKI/AAAAAAAAGw0/J7iNfm-SVhwt6_D5ptc0mu10_kxfx7ROwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2611/20201226_000422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="2611" height="184" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mjyadFYP_hM/X-5_dbd_aKI/AAAAAAAAGw0/J7iNfm-SVhwt6_D5ptc0mu10_kxfx7ROwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h184/20201226_000422.jpg" title="Happy New Year from Jewel, too." width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Scott Delahunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735796666483741699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464382918796251124.post-32253278320976716662020-12-18T18:30:00.007-05:002020-12-18T18:30:10.585-05:00December Already?<p>Wow, where did the time go? My last post was in September. Time for some catching up.</p><p>First, I'm <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSsstXfcRWw" target="_blank">still alive</a>.</p><p>October came and went. I ordered 1.8kg of <a href="https://candyfunhouse.ca/products/mccormicks-spearmint-leaves?variant=34036674494523" target="_blank">spearmint leaves candy</a>, mostly for use during <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a>. There's still half a box left.</p><p>November was <a href="https://nanowrimo.org/participants/dustinus/projects/total-security-concepts" target="_blank">NaNo</a>. I wound up going with <i>Total Security Concepts</i>, which is now set in the <a href="https://thechaosbeast.blogspot.com/p/subject-13-collection.html" target="_blank"><i>Subject 13</i> universe</a>. Total words was 50 262. What I'm finding is that I can write at a decent pace, 2000 to 2500 words a night, provided I have time off to recharge. This matches up with my writing for <i>Lost in Translation</i>, where it takes me two days to write a 1500 word review. I up my game for NaNo, and I've figured out how to pacce myself for the marathon.</p><p><i>Total Security Concepts</i> began as a look at how normal people in a world of superpowers defend themselves. It then turned into a murder mystery that included corporate meetings. One character went from just having a superheroic ID to being lead investigator. It was fun writing the story just to see where it went. The result is satisfying but will need a bit of time to congeal before I serialize it here.</p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MqQ2V4IfiiU/X9wZxt35ZMI/AAAAAAAAGtQ/Ah1pGWjNuJk0HIgqpQQ5gVJUSVtNLWCwQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200831_205634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1860" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MqQ2V4IfiiU/X9wZxt35ZMI/AAAAAAAAGtQ/Ah1pGWjNuJk0HIgqpQQ5gVJUSVtNLWCwQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200831_205634.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sneak peak of the minis<br />to come, with the<br />bulette.</td></tr></tbody></table>Miniatures painting fell to the wayside. NaNo doesn't really leave time for anything extra, especially when work is still a thing. Work is still going, so here's hoping I get through to two years on the current contract. My main goal with work is to get to the two year mark. After that, I'll feel better. I won't be changing unless something permanent or interesting comes up. For interesting, this contract got back to me before a potential six month contract in Iqaluit, Nunavut had. I would've jumped on the Iqaluit contract, especially with its potential for an extension. It'd be different.</p><p><i>Lost in Translation</i> is still going strong. The pandemic prevents one of my main methods of looking for review fodder - checking the rows of DVDs at the music store. I may have a secondary method, but it's going to need refining. I have five potential reviews for the new year, once the end-of-year posts are done. There may be news related to <i>Lost in Translation</i> coming up in the New Year. Stay tuned.</p><p>Coming up, more <i>Lost in Translation</i>, possibly a serial in January, and hopefully some gaming posts. I want to get a comparison of <i>Cyberpunk 2020</i> and <i>Shadowrun</i> characters done. I also want to create a character or two for <i>Shadowrun Sixth World</i>. Maybe during some down time during the holidays. Minis will get finished at some point.</p><p>Today, over at <a href="http://www.psychodrivein.com" target="_blank">Psycho Drive-In</a>, <i>Quantum Leap</i> - "A Leap to Di For".</p><p>Saturday, over at <a href="http://codex.seventhsanctum.com" target="_blank">The Seventh Sanctum</a>, Wrapping up 2020</p><div><br /></div>Scott Delahunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735796666483741699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464382918796251124.post-622012297006925612020-09-25T18:30:00.003-04:002020-09-25T18:30:05.662-04:00Brace Yourself - NaNo Is Coming<p>It's been some time. Somehow, March has become September. Summer existed and it was hot but, well, time has ceased to have meaning. Autumn is coming, when trees become colourful and stop having sex. With autumn comes November, and with November comes <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a>.</p><p>I have no idea what I'm writing.</p><p>That's not new for me. I usually have a few ideas on the go that I could just pick up and run with. This summer, though, the creativity is just out of reach. No worries, I can make this work. I do have a few ideas, though.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>First up, the <i><a href="https://thechaosbeast.blogspot.com/p/subject-13-collection.html" target="_blank">Subject 13</a></i>-verse. I have a start on Nasty's return, skipping over a chunk of time to make things easier. I also want to expand the setting. I've started on <i>Streetwise Valkyries</i>, with a few chapters handwritten and waiting for deciphering from chicken scratches. I also have ideas for two other titles in the setting, <i>Total Security Concepts</i>, featuring a security company dealing with superpowered threats, and <i>The Canadian Shield</i> (working title, thanks Marvel), about Canada's premier superteam. The catch with all three is plot, as in I need some. I'll get it worked out. I hope.</p><p>I can also continue with <i><a href="https://thechaosbeast.blogspot.com/p/mecha-academy-episode-1-roommates.html" target="_blank">Mecha Academy</a></i> and with <i><a href="https://thechaosbeast.blogspot.com/p/unruly.html" target="_blank">Unruly</a></i>. I have dangling plot elements and ideas on where to go. The ideas are a little ephemeral, but I can mold them and get them to work. It helps that I left off in half-finished chapters. Finishing the chapters will get things motoring. I hope.</p><p>While I prefer to work with my own creations, I do have a couple of ideas for serials involving <i>Star Trek</i>. The first is set post-<i>Voyager</i>, with Star Fleet's misfits. Star Fleet has had officers who were, shall we say, eccentric and prone to going their own way. While Captain James Kirk may have been able to point at his successes when going rogue and saving the galaxy a few times, not every Star Fleet officer is that quality. <i>Star Trek: Lower Decks</i> is showing that junior officers can be volatile. I just have to work out the crew, though a Vulcan ship's counselor ("Emotional logic is still logic") and a Klingon science officer ("Today is a good day to learn") are already selected.</p><p>The other <i>Trek</i> serial is set after <i>Star Trek VI</i>, with the crew of a <i>Miranda</i>-class vessel patrolling the borders between the Federation and the Klingons and Romulans. This crew is meant to be proper officers, though with some twists to be brought out. After all, it wouldn't be a <i>Trek</i> serial without a court martial somewhere in there. In both of these cases, the idea afterwards is to try adapting to another medium, most likely podcast play.</p><p>I also have an idea to use with <i>Shadowrun</i>, though I need to dig a bit to see what has changed to the setting with the 6th edition. The runners are selected and, again, I can turn this into a serial. I do have access to older books and at least one of them will have ideas for runs. A couple of characters need to be fleshed out better, but a few are fairly solid right now.</p><p>During this, I will be maintaining <i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/LostInTranslationReviews/" target="_blank">Lost in Translation</a></i>. I have plans for it during November that don't necessarily include /MST3K this year. I've maintained the challenge of keeping the reviews going during November, so why stop now?</p><p>This will mark my 14th NaNo. I have managed to complete the past thirteen successfully, though I have squeaked by a few times on the last day. Considering that I don't have a commute that takes an hour from me and I won't be dealing with <a href="https://thechaosbeast.blogspot.com/2020/04/ottawa-lrt-still-mess.html" target="_blank">local public transit that has completely fallen apart</a>, I should be able to get a couple of hours in daily without any problems.</p><p>I hope.</p><p>Today, over at <a href="http://www.psychodrivein.com" target="_blank">Psycho Drive-In</a>, "Star Trek: The Paradise Makers".</p><p>Saturday, over at <a href="http://codex.seventhsanctum.com" target="_blank">The Seventh Sanctum</a>, "Kenobi: A Star Wars Fan Film"</p><div><br /></div>Scott Delahunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735796666483741699noreply@blogger.com0