Fat Gandalf's Bar & Lounge (OOC Chat) - Chapter Six

[Purr]

What I'm getting at is this. You guys resolve what action takes place as a team. My recommendation to you is to settle that here. Talk it out.

Elinor said she wanted to "catch" it which can be interpreted a number ways). Hercules recommended following it. Toph wants to blast it, I don't think we have heard from Mario yet, and Cera's opinion is unknown.

So how do you feel about it, Gang? =)

If there is no resolution, maybe we will roll Initiative to see who's action is first in-game.

Kaerri Captain Hesperus Psychie Sherwood

 

[Sherwood]

Normally, it is Mario that is jumping the gun and running off half-cocked! If it is up for a vote, I would say to hold off on shooting the bot until it decides which way to go at the Y in the tunnel. It may be heading for our destination, and letting it show us which path it is down might be a real time saver for us.

 

[Psychie]

Good idea.

 

[Purr]

O.K.. Toph is holding her fire then ( be sure to put the Action Point back if you "erased" it).

As for squadron leader Elinor's plan to "catch" it, how does your team plan on accomplishing that task? Kaerri

 

[Purr]

D. Rex The window for Ricky and Ylva's Prologue meet is closing soon. I don't mean to pressure you into posting, but your last post in-game was on December 15th and I have to move on soon. I feel it's only fair that I let you know. =)

 

[D. Rex]

D. Rex The window for Ricky and Ylva's Prologue meet is closing soon. I don't mean to pressure you into posting, but your last post in-game was on December 15th and I have to move on soon. I feel it's only fair that I let you know. =)

Understandable! Will be finishing it up tonight once I get home.

 

[D. Rex]

And by all means, pressure me into posting.

 

[Silanon]

Alrighty, got a couple of questions:
1.) How close am I to the point of 'it's impossible to let both prologues meet'? I wouldn't want to eliminate that option by accident. (In other words: I'd be interested to let the prologues meet - don't think I mentioned that prior, did I?). I mean, trying to survive is probably a good first step, just wondering if I should act with extreme caution in that regard yet. Oh - please don't answer this one if you think it'd give anything away, I'm quite happy in this state of 'anything could linger just behind the next pile of garbage'.
2.) Do these ejection seats come with any additional, neat extras like first aid kits or anything like that, or is it just the tech to get you out of there and nothing else? I'd expect nothing, but it never hurts to ask for potential loot.
3.) In the near surrounding, is there something that could be used as an improvised walking stick? You know, some piece of lengthly scrap metal, anything like that?
4.) Speaking of scrap - how walkable is the terrain? More precisely: Is it a relatively easy walk towards the houses, or does it require serious climbing over rusty piles to get there? How overgrown is 'healthy vegetation' - enough to be a nuisance while walking? You know, I have this picture in mind - mountains of junk, with a jungle on top of it... that's not how I read the post, but it'd be good to know just how bad it actually is. I mean, this place seems to not have seen humans for quite a while, so things are likely not in prime condition - and of all the places, I arrived on a fricking junkyard to begin with...
5.) How close is the nearest pile of relevance?

Think that's it - think I have a pretty clear idea of what I want to do, it's mostly the details that got me thinking...

 

[Purr]

And by all means, pressure me into posting.

You really don't mind? I mean, if you are the type that likes those kind of reminders, I can deliver (in tactful, hopefully amusing kinds of ways).

(In other words: I'd be interested to let the prologues meet - don't think I mentioned that prior, did I?).

Ha ha! No, I don't believe you did, but that's okay!

1. Ahhh, it's not so much that you are close, but that D. Rex ("wrecks?" Hee hee!) is farther away. Hs last post helps him catch up a little, as does his enthusiasm for continuing the story. If the two of you want, I can make this work. D.? D. Rex How do you feel about weaving Ricky and Ylva's stories together?

2. I don't believe they do. In the Logan description, there is mention of a survival kit in the locker which I can only presume is inside the cockpit. but not attached to the chair. At the same time, it feels pretty dumb to have a Logan qualifying pilot eject out of a Logan and not grab the damn pack. So let us say that she has it with her.

3. Not in her immediate area, but there's bound to be something that will serve around here somewhere.

4. Getting to the buildings won't provide her a challenge. There are trees growing in the junkyard suggesting this facility has not been in use for many years.

5. I'm afraid I don't understand this question. Would you mind stating it in a different way?

 

[D. Rex]

You really don't mind? I mean, if you are the type that likes those kind of reminders, I can deliver (in tactful, hopefully amusing kinds of ways).



Ha ha! No, I don't believe you did, but that's okay!

1. Ahhh, it's not so much that you are close, but that D. Rex ("wrecks?" Hee hee!) is farther away. Hs last post helps him catch up a little, as does his enthusiasm for continuing the story. If the two of you want, I can make this work. D.? D. Rex How do you feel about weaving Ricky and Ylva's stories together?

2. I don't believe they do. In the Logan description, there is mention of a survival kit in the locker which I can only presume is inside the cockpit. but not attached to the chair. At the same time, it feels pretty dumb to have a Logan qualifying pilot eject out of a Logan and not grab the damn pack. So let us say that she has it with her.

3. Not in her immediate area, but there's bound to be something that will serve around here somewhere.

4. Getting to the buildings won't provide her a challenge. There are trees growing in the junkyard suggesting this facility has not been in use for many years.

5. I'm afraid I don't understand this question. Would you mind stating it in a different way?

By all means, I dont mind in the slightest. Be it some reminders, or pushing me to get to it.



As for meeting with Ylva, I'd be all for their paths crossing. Given the situation, I would think it would be pretty natural that they do.

 

[Purr]

Then a third possibility occurred to her, and she added, "And if it just goes boom in the middle -- all of us go left!"

Someone is thinking ahead! =)

 

[Kaerri]

300 meters ahead, anyway

 

[Silanon]

At the same time, it feels pretty dumb to have a Logan qualifying pilot eject out of a Logan and not grab the damn pack. So let us say that she has it with her.

Given the situation, I'd probably argue that the fricking monster dog might have caught her attention instead - add the brute next to her, and I could very well imagine the first aid kit to stay in the Logan. I mean, yes, she's had her fair share of training, but she's not a test pilot who's regularly leaving her mecha mid-air... so I'd argue for the case 'crap, I was supposed to grab the kit before leaving, wasn't I?' - unless using the ejection seats is a more common thing during training than I'd expect.

About the fifth question: I can totally see how that one makes no sense at all if you didn't see prior versions, sorry for that one. What I meant is the following: How close is the next relevant piece of terrain, in that it offers some sort of cover and the opportunity to lean against it without endangering herself? You know, it might be a tree, or a single van, or a pile of half a dozen cars...

 

[Purr]

I mean, yes, she's had her fair share of training, but she's not a test pilot who's regularly leaving her mecha mid-air... so I'd argue for the case 'crap, I was supposed to grab the kit before leaving, wasn't I?' - unless using the ejection seats is a more common thing during training than I'd expect.

Well, I'm caught here between realism (your argument which mirrors mine) and good old fashioned Game Master fairness (which is shrieking, "What is the point of having a survival pack in an emergency followed by an ejection if you can't take it with you? You punch out only to starve?"). The Game Master in me won out. Perhaps the pack is kept on the seat? I don't know; I just feel like a heel to leave a trained pilot without it when they are in a situation where they would clearly need it. =)

About the fifth question: I can totally see how that one makes no sense at all if you didn't see prior versions, sorry for that one. What I meant is the following: How close is the next relevant piece of terrain, in that it offers some sort of cover and the opportunity to lean against it without endangering herself? You know, it might be a tree, or a single van, or a pile of half a dozen cars...

Oh! Now I get it! Thank you for clarifying! =)

The answer is the latter - Ylva can take her pick from piles and piles of ancient cars (every last one of them internal combustion vehicles as opposed to the later hover-capable cars).

 

[Silanon]

Well, I'm caught here between realism (your argument which mirrors mine) and good old fashioned Game Master fairness (which is shrieking, "What is the point of having a survival pack in an emergency followed by an ejection if you can't take it with you? You punch out only to starve?"). The Game Master in me won out. Perhaps the pack is kept on the seat? I don't know; I just feel like a heel to leave a trained pilot without it when they are in a situation where they would clearly need it. =)

In fairness, I could have thought about this before I pulled the damn handles to get out of there. I can see where you're coming from, but it feels weird to me. Maybe that'll change once I adjust my first draft for a post... if not, I'll let you know.

Just to confirm: The Logan comes with two survival packs, one for each pilot, right? Otherwise, it'd probably close to the pilot, I'd assume - maybe in the middle for a little tug-of-war-action. If the handgun is stored away in there as well (not right now, in the usual case), it's likely to be within reach, but locked away safely - begs the question how easy it is to pull out the kit...

Just for the record: I'm not trying to starve or bleed to death, here - just trying to convince myself that I'm supposed to have this thingie.

 

[Purr]

Just to confirm: The Logan comes with two survival packs, one for each pilot, right?

Yes. =)

If the handgun is stored away in there as well (not right now, in the usual case), it's likely to be within reach, but locked away safely - begs the question how easy it is to pull out the kit...

Uh, this is a misconception. There is no weapon with survival pack; there is room for such a weapon in the locker if provided. During combat missions, I understand pilots (like modern-day pilots) carry their handgun and ammunition on their person in a flight-worthy holster. Therefore, Ylva is unarmed. This can logically be blamed on Ylva's burly bald admirer if you like.

Furthermore, since we have gotten this deep into the subject, the current sourcebooks we are using for this game (Shadow Chronicles) do not note any such locker, pack, or weapon (Disclaimer: Or if they are there, I cannot find them and I have looked extensively). Since they don't, I have been going off of old data used in previous Palladium games that state things like, "The storage locker contains space for a rifle and survival pack."

Just for the record: I'm not trying to starve or bleed to death, here - just trying to convince myself that I'm supposed to have this thingie.

Consider it to be part of her training as when punching out of a soon-to-be-destroyed aircraft to automatically take it with her. Any issues involving details should be directed to her former aviation instructors in Stockholm, thank you very much. Heh! =)

 

[Silanon]

Therefore, Ylva is unarmed.

That was actually my expectation as well - actually wouldn't have considered searching for a weapon (think modern ones have a survival knife in there, but ours specifically only have rations and a canteen, because we bring the knives separately). The thought process was merely that pilots put their handguns into those lockers (according to that short line in the Technopolis) - and that comes with safety restrictions. Now if they carry their guns with them instead, that's obviously irrelevant.

Couldn't stop myself from checking a few of the newer ejection seats out there - the Eurofighter already has fancy stuff like an automatically inflating liferaft if I'm not mistaken. If that's the case, then it doesn't feel bad to assume that people in the timeline here managed to do things in a way that even a highly distracted pilot gets it right.
If someone's curious: Mk16 Ejection Seat for Eurofighter - Martin-Baker
This one has a survival pack that's manually deployed, but no idea how that looks in greater detail: Mk11 Ejection Seat - Martin-Baker
Didn't see it on the schematics there, but if they found a way to make it work, so did the scientists here. Just wrote down the pack on my character sheet, ready to be used.

Edit: Just found an article that states that the packs are apparently stored underneath the seats these days. That sounds pretty convenient, I'd say.

 

[Purr]

The Game Master in me won out. Perhaps the pack is kept on the seat? I don't know; I just feel like a heel to leave a trained pilot without it when they are in a situation where they would clearly need it. =)

Edit: Just found an article that states that the packs are apparently stored underneath the seats these days. That sounds pretty convenient, I'd say.

And the GM in me wins again! I love it! 8D

The thought process was merely that pilots put their handguns into those lockers (according to that short line in the Technopolis) - and that comes with safety restrictions.

Which short line? I may change that game-wide.

 

[Silanon]

Cargo: A small space big enough for a survival pack and a side arm.

Just this one - for me, it seems to indicate that both the gun and the survival pack are stored in the same place. Now that you established that the pilots will most likely have their handguns with them at most times (see above), that's basically reduced to 'there's some small space where you can conveniently store away the survival pack'. I'd say underneath the seats is a decent guess for that, since the seat is the one place that a pilot usually never leaves, even when ejecting - not that it matters. Point is: If it's not the spot where the handgun is, then you can pull the survival pack out without worrying about your gun flying through the cockpit. So then it's probably easy to grab the pack at the very least, since there's really nothing to worry about.

Anyways, that's probably enough about survival kits etc - think I'll get a post up today or tomorrow.

 

[Purr]

D. Rex Meant to say this back on Tuesday when you posted it, but I thought this was one heck of a good paragraph. Nicely done, D. =)

Spoiler: From Ricky's Prologue - some minor spoilers via implications

But... he did a feel a sort of easing to his mind. As if he had released a breath he didnt know he was holding. And once more his mind flashed back to his comrades, practically hearing their words of encouragement... of course he wouldnt die. There is no way he could face them if he did. Not after all they gave. Be it the words of encouragement, or Alice's breasts, his mind sharpened back into the zone. As if he never left his seat.

 

[D. Rex]

Purr

Lovely scene! Quite harrowing.


Question time!

Judging from what he witnessed about the organic murder missile. How it was able to adjust its course and catch up with the Logan. And another being shot at the Milo.

Did the thing appear to operate with thrust? Like a demon dog with a jetpack. Or was it just punched out at such great speeds, and sort of glided it's way to move.

 

[Purr]

Lovely scene! Quite harrowing.

Thank you!

Judging from what he witnessed about the organic murder missile. How it was able to adjust its course and catch up with the Logan. And another being shot at the Milo.

There are three of the bogies and each has its own action. One fired on the Milo, the second against the Logan, and the third... well... you know where that one's going!! 8D

Did the thing appear to operate with thrust? Like a demon dog with a jetpack. Or was it just punched out at such great speeds, and sort of glided it's way to move.

If Ricky had to guess (which he probably does), the test pilot and engineer in him could say, "a bit of both minus the gliding."

Bonus quote:

Rupps. Lucy. Fucking Harold... as if a guy named Harry Peter's had any right to make fun of the name Dicky.

I just about howled when I read this initially (and again tonight)! I don't know if that last word is the result of autocorrect changing up the words, but whatever the case, it makes for a perfect end to that sentence, D.! =)

 

[D. Rex]

Thank you!



There are three of the bogies and each has its own action. One fired on the Milo, the second against the Logan, and the third... well... you know where that one's going!! 8D



If Ricky had to guess (which he probably does), the test pilot and engineer in him could say, "a bit of both minus the gliding."

Bonus quote:


I just about howled when I read this initially (and again tonight)! I don't know if that last word is the result of autocorrect changing up the words, but whatever the case, it makes for a perfect end to that sentence, D.! =)

It made me laugh too! I do love me a spot of humor.







Alrighty! That already gives me a good inclination of how to proceed.


But three more questions for good measure!

1. Would the ship computer tell how fast the object is approaching? In such a way that he could judge if outrunning it is possible. Being mindful of one guaranteed engine.

2. Can more than one chaff be fired at once?

3. How much contact with the water below can the Valkyrie handle before breaking apart on impact? Understanding that Jezebel is in a fragile state.

 

[Purr]

1. From the aeronautical historical first-hand accounts I've enjoyed, I seriously doubt the computer does that. As I understand it, the HUD on today's aircraft try to ID the inbound missile by type (because knowing what's coming after you tells you how to defend against it - and in this case, the computer is probably flipping out in its own way saying, "MiSteR RiCkY!! wHaT tHe HeCk izzz dAT cOmInG DiS wAy?!" And that means, even the computer doesn't know how to help protect Ricky from it).

2. In Palladium, generally speaking, any more than one try of chaff/flares (they're bundled in-game) is a waste. Chaff is fired in clouds which fall away from the aircraft via gravity. In Real Life, I understand the missiles coming at you can do around Mach 2 which means if the missile isn't fooled by that first cloud quickly, firing more won't matter because there won't be enough time before impact for more chaff to be used (of course, chaff works differently than in Robotech). One more thing - remember that the Logan tried chaff and flares too.

3. The Jezebel is a Mega-damage aircraft (as you know). However, Ricky does not exactly know the full extent of damage it has taken (usually, you have a wingman who flies around you and does a damage check, but right now that wingman is having a tall, cool one if you know what I mean). So, if Ricky ejects, Ricky really has no real, educated idea of if the Jezebel will make it. Chances are, probably not. It's nothing you want to roll the dice on, that's for certain. Also, keep this in mind - if Ricky ejects, what do you think the Zentraedi bogie will do when he sees Ricky?

Lastly, I'm giving out this much information in part because this is a Prologue. Fair warning here. I tend not to be this straightforward with solutions in the main game (the vast majority of the time, I hand out more definitions and leave you to find your own ways). Put another way, I leave it to you and your fellow players to help each other out. Good PCs keep asking questions (hopefully the right questions; there are always plenty of wrong ones!). Not only for their own benefit, but for the team's. The PCs, both in Robotech: Broadsword and in Sharseya, are teams and decent teams at that. None of the PCs in either game have been killed, in part because they worked together.

My point? Just keep doing what you're doing in our other games and feel free to lend a hand or idea OOC to another player in my games. =)

 

[D. Rex]

1. From the aeronautical historical first-hand accounts I've enjoyed, I seriously doubt the computer does that. As I understand it, the HUD on today's aircraft try to ID the inbound missile by type (because knowing what's coming after you tells you how to defend against it - and in this case, the computer is probably flipping out in its own way saying, "MiSteR RiCkY!! wHaT tHe HeCk izzz dAT cOmInG DiS wAy?!" And that means, even the computer doesn't know how to help protect Ricky from it).

2. In Palladium, generally speaking, any more than one try of chaff/flares (they're bundled in-game) is a waste. Chaff is fired in clouds which fall away from the aircraft via gravity. In Real Life, I understand the missiles coming at you can do around Mach 2 which means if the missile isn't fooled by that first cloud quickly, firing more won't matter because there won't be enough time before impact for more chaff to be used (of course, chaff works differently than in Robotech). One more thing - remember that the Logan tried chaff and flares too.

3. The Jezebel is a Mega-damage aircraft (as you know). However, Ricky does not exactly know the full extent of damage it has taken (usually, you have a wingman who flies around you and does a damage check, but right now that wingman is having a tall, cool one if you know what I mean). So, if Ricky ejects, Ricky really has no real, educated idea of if the Jezebel will make it. Chances are, probably not. It's nothing you want to roll the dice on, that's for certain. Also, keep this in mind - if Ricky ejects, what do you think the Zentraedi bogie will do when he sees Ricky?

Lastly, I'm giving out this much information in part because this is a Prologue. Fair warning here. I tend not to be this straightforward with solutions in the main game (the vast majority of the time, I hand out more definitions and leave you to find your own ways). Put another way, I leave it to you and your fellow players to help each other out. Good PCs keep asking questions (hopefully the right questions; there are always plenty of wrong ones!). Not only for their own benefit, but for the team's. The PCs, both in Robotech: Broadsword and in Sharseya, are teams and decent teams at that. None of the PCs in either game have been killed, in part because they worked together.

My point? Just keep doing what you're doing in our other games and feel free to lend a hand or idea OOC to another player in my games. =)

1. Gotcha! And understandable. From watching its speed in person, would it be comparable to missile speed? If such a thing was able to be judged.


2. Well! Good thing I wasnt going to use them for their intended purpose! And with me going to go full vertical dive, it would spread out just as they would need to for what I had in mind. The only problem is! I just remembered that Ricky used all his chaff/flares hence his destructive entry into the Milo. Oh well! :p Time for Plan .5B that will likely turn into Plan C!

3. Hoho! Ricky isnt going to eject. Jez is his baby. He wouldnt dump her into the ocean like that. Was seeing what the odds were with entry and exitry from the water at high speeds. Definitely too high. Which evolves this question into its second form!

3.A. Would the Valkyrie be able to handle a bit of light skimming? Say, for example, if one wanted to use the water to brush off a fly or scratch an itch.



As for damage! Ricky has a good idea. Basically summed up as "Hella". Half a cockpit, major fire damage, one engine questionable, lots of laser scoring, shrapnel damage, assumed hull integrity at "pretty darn bad", and with what Jezebel told him about transformation not working properly, there is likely some internal mechanisms highly boogered up.


Good! Cause I ask a lot of questions! I like clarification on things I have to work with and things I can use in out of the box ways.