Great War: DaVinci's Legacy (OOC and Signup)

[$tormin]

(Temp notice: When several people have signed up I will open a game thread with more information specific to the exact time and place this is starting)


A century ago, a young inventor named Leonardo DaVinci shocked the world when he produced a new type of autonomous machine, a clockwork construct capable of matching many humans in feats of strength and endurance. As Europe tried to come to grips with this new technology DaVinci struck.
Backed by several powerful lords, he had built an army supported by these clockwork war machines. The empire that soon came to be known as Da Vinci was created in blood and steam. For two decades it grew slowed only by its need to consolidate its holdings completely, at its peak it controlled half of Europe.
In his later years though, Leonardo pulled back. For some reason he didn't press further but contracted his empire, giving up what was easily won.
As Leonardo lay on his deathbed over 60 years ago he sent several ships to the heirs of his original backers, none arrived. Rumors of the contents flared and stories are still told about the great hordes of treasures or machines undreamed of even today.



Character Creation:

Races:
Human- Basic human. Non-European and characters characters outside their nation should note that they will usually face problems with populations distrustful of foreigners.
Skill points: 5
Drawbacks: None
Advantages: None


Flesh Construct- Created from corpses (or more gruesomely from pieces of the still-living) flesh constructs are inhumanly strong horrors from the labs of the most demented inventors. Self determining flesh constructs are extremely rare, such usually being destroyed before they can turn on their masters or escape.
Damaged or imperfectly created brains of these creatures mean that Flesh Constructs have fewer skill points than humans.
Skill points: 4
Drawbacks: People will fear and try to destroy you. Possibly you will also have a former master out for your destruction. Cannot go higher than tier 2 on any tiered skill.
Advantages: Free Strength feat. No natural healing but can be repaired by a tier 2 or higher inventor with knowledge of Flesh Construct creation.

Independent Clockwork- One-in-a-million chance. True artificial intelligence. Just because someone built you didn't mean you had to obey them though and whether you made a break from a creator unaware of your ability or escaped from the possibly of being "recovered" by people who wanted to destroy you to find out how it happened...you are free. Of course you need help since your gears wind down fairly quickly without any assistance or your coal burner needs refilling.
Skill Points: 2 (plus special. See advantages)
Drawbacks: Nearly everyone is going to want to cut you up to see how you tick.
Advantages:
1.You can be removed from any current body and placed into any appropriate construct (such as a new Clockwork Soldier's body) by any tier 2 inventor. After 1 hour of being in control of a new body you have its full abilities, losing abilities from the previous body. For example, if placed in control of a clockwork flying machine, you gain the ability to control it as though you had skill points in Piloting.
2. Given 5 days of high intensity training you can learn a new skill inherent to yourself with the option to drop another skill. You cannot have more than 2 skill points independently of your current body.


Skills:

Combat Skills:
Basic: Poor accuracy with common small arms. Poor ability for melee. Unable to use exotic weapons of either type.

1 point
Small Arms: Allows reasonable accuracy with the use of small arms such as pistols, riffles, shotguns, bows and muskets. Also allows for field maintenance of said weapons.
Exotic Firearm (specific): Allows the use of uncommon small arms such as mortars, artillery, repeating crossbows and other unique, heavy or very rare weapons. Also allows for field maintenance of said weapons.
Marksman: High accuracy boost at long range (requires: Small arms or Exotic Firearm (specific) Only works for weapons covered by the pre-req)
Martial Arts: Training in unarmed combat. Includes wrestling, boxing and karate-like skills.
Melee Weapons: Trained in the use of common melee weapons such as Swords, shields, blunt weapons and two handed weapons.
Exotic Melee Weapons: Allows the use of uncommon melee weapons such as spiked chains, whips, and other unique or very rare weapons.
Armored Combat: Removes accuracy and evasion penalties when using armor heavier than heavy leather/light studded.
Driving/Riding skills:
Basic: Can ride trained horses or other similar trained riding animals over non-extreme terrain with no difficulty.
1 point
Vehicle (specific): Allows driving exotic vehicles such as Steam Trucks or Walkers. Counts as having Advanced Driving for rough terrain or difficult driving conditions.
Flight: Training in the control and operation of flying vehicles such as Gliders and Zeppelins.
Advanced Riding: Allows "trick" riding, advanced speeds in dangerous terrain and other situations where a skilled animal/beast rider is required.
Standard skills:
1 point

Animal Handling: Able to deal with out of control, untrained or poorly trained animals. Allows training of non-magical animals within reason. Some animals are inherently untrainable.
Jack of Trades: Slight ability in three skills (not including skills with pre-reqs). Can bind a wound but cannot set a bone, can jury-rig a fan belt from another material but it will not last long or be effective, slightly increased ability with weapons.
Acrobatics: Much more athletic than most, you can perform feats of agility that others simply cannot. Some very difficult or dangerous feats require other skills, for example jumping from a vehicle you are driving to a horse at speed over rough terrain also requires Advanced Horsemanship and/or Advanced Driving to have reasonable chance of success.
Luck: Sometimes you are just a lot more lucky than others.
Strength: Allows greater than normal strength. Higher damage with melee/unarmed and can carry more as well as being able to take more punishment.
Speech craft: Improved negotiation abilities and bargaining skills.
Stealth: Improved ability to hide oneself whether the terrain is favorable or not. Improves ability to move unnoticed if not directly observed.
Wealth: Begin with a larger amount of money than normal.
Leadership: Inspire and command your allies and cower your foes.

Tiered skills-
1 point each, requires previous level to be purchased.

Healing-
First Aid: Allows field medical treatment including field sutures and setting broken bones.
Advanced Medical Treatment: Allows for simple surgery in field conditions, such as removing bullets or other projectiles from areas such as the stomach where it could be deadly for one untrained to do so. Allows for more advanced medical procedures in non-field conditions. (Requires: First Aid)
Medical Specialist (specific): Brain surgeon, Heart surgeon etc. In hospital conditions allows for advanced procedures for surgery and treatment of specialized areas. (Requires: First Aid AND Advanced Medical Treatment)

Invention/Engineering- The ability to design, create, repair or modify machines, weapons or vehicles. 3 tier skill.
Tier 1 Apprentice- Modification and repair of simple finished devices. Assisting more skilled people in creation.
Tier 2 Journeyman- Can modify, build and repair more complex devices. Can design simple devices.
Tier 3 Master- Has all abilities of previous levels but can create the most complex devices such as the mechanical brains of clockwork robots. Can reprogram disabled independent constructs as well.


Note: If you wish, you may have one "henchman" character. This character will have 2 fewer skill points than a main unless the main dies and the henchman takes over. When this happens, the henchman gains 2 skill points to spend. Independent clockwork cannot be henchmen.

Common vehicles

Train- Steam powered vehicle that runs on steel rails. Usually comprised of a separate engine vehicle and several cargo cars.

Steam Truck- Steam powered transport for goods and soldiers. Normally twice the size of modern large pickup trucks. Some versions are armed with either heavy caliber guns or a steam cannon.

Clockwork Soldier- Usually 6ft to 15ft in height, powered by powerful gears. Normally independent and capable of minimal levels of planning and improvisation. Normally armed with large caliber riffle or flamethrower. 4 hours of combat operation or 20 hours of non combat operation (such as marching) per windup. Humanoid and non-Humanoid versions exist.

Steam Cannon- Long-range powerful artillery but slow re-fire rate. Usually mounted on independently driven carriage or truck.

Zeppelin: Lighter than air craft comprising mostly of an armored section containing bags of lighter than air gas. Steam powered and usually armed. Often used as transport and artillery platforms.

Ornithopter- Steam-powered flying vehicle with flapping or spinning wings/rotors.

Ironclad- Steam powered warships with heavily armored hulls. Rare versions are equipped with legs for overland movement.

Steam Tank- Steam powered tracked vehicle with heavy weapons and armor.


Common Weapons


Guns- From standard smooth or riffled bore muzzle-loaded guns to flintlocks. Guns are generally at an early 18th century stage.

Bombs- Grenades, charges detonated with fuses or iron cased explosives dropped from aircraft or attached to clockwork machines.

Recoilless Gun- Rocket propelled grenade launcher used for taking out armored vehicles and clockwork soldiers.

Clockwork Plate Armor- Heavy armor with clockwork gears built into it that boosts the strength of the wearer at the cost of speed and mobility.

[$tormin]

The world: (http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/2208/rptmaphk2lx3.png)

Major Nations:

1.Da Vinci
In the years after the death of the Great Inventor, Da Vinci's heirs realized that they could neither match their predecessors invention ability or maintain the empire growth that he started as others across Europe copied and improved the devices that made the Da Vinci empire possible. Instead, they solidified their hold on what they had gained and build it to become the greatest nation on Earth, attracting many of the brightest from around the world.
Leadership: Alessandro Da Vinci, titled Emperor. Monarchy with elected advisory council.
Military: Average. High ratio of constructs vs humans but equipment is usually a decade or more out of date. A fast internal transport system allows quick response to attack.
Diplomacy: Uneasy borders with Papal State. Frequent skirmishes. Good to uneasy relations to other European nations.


2.British Empire

Twenty years ago the British Empire was the most powerful nation in the world but a succession of poorly waged wars have seen its weakening of military might and political influence. Latest and largest blow was when the Admiralty attempted to sail 3/4th of the Royal Navy up the Rhine to secure Baron Tobenkoff's Black Fortress in retaliation to the assassination of the nine people in most direct line of royal ascension.
Leadership: Queen Elizabeth I . Monarchy.
Military: Below Average (rebuilding)
Diplomacy: Poor to hostile relations to all other European nations.


3.Normandy
Despite being a breakaway province of the British Empire, Normandy maintained good relations with its former parent nation until the resent war between Britain and Tobenkoff where Lord Vedmhinn refused to assist the British in the ill-fated assault on the Black Fortress.
Normandy's primary source of power is its gigantic air force including several titanic Zeppelin carriers.
Leadership: Lord Inventor Karl Vedmhinn
Military: Formidable. Extensive use of large aircraft and development of new tactics has allowed this kingdom to hold its own against even mighty opponents. Modern equipment and a balanced force between Constructs and Manpower.
Diplomacy: Truce with Tobenkoff, hostile relations with British Empire. Neutral to all others.


4.Baron Tobenkoff
A true genius at invention and leadership, Tobenkoff has managed to create the most powerful empire in the known world at this time, rivaling the rumored Iron Lords of the Far East. Strategic procurement of territories have amassed a large supply of wealth, coal and high grade iron which fuels Tobenkoff's war machine.
Leadership: Baron Henrich Tobenkoff rules his con quested territories in a hard but fair manner, knowing that he does not have the resources to carry on his current wars and put down constant rebellion. Local rulers are allowed high levels of autonomy under the oversight of Tobenkoff.
Military: Extreme. Massive amounts of money and resources have gone into making the most powerful military known. Heavily balanced towards Constructs, including a mobile steam citadel known as the Black Fortress.
Diplomacy: Currently either at war or uneasy with surrounding nations. Diplomatic with others.


5.Papal State
Following the Failed Crusade against the Da Vinci the Papal State was forced to reach an agreement for its continued survival as an independent nation. Following Da Vinci's death and the following contraction of his empire the State grew into much of the area, stopped by Da Vinci's current borders to the West and the Alpine States to the North.
Leadership: Pope Gregory XIII. Theocratic Monarchy elected by the priesthood.
Military: Strong but poorly led. Higher ratio of manpower over constructs.
Diplomacy: Uneasy/hostile to Da Vinci. Neutral to Alpine States. Unknown ties with Tobenkoff. Neutral/friendly with all other states.

(6) Kingdom of France-
France has one of the largest untouched agrarian cores among the nations of Europe. Despite near-constant military pressure from Normandy, Castile, Tobenkoff and Britain over the last century, France has managed to keep its borders relatively stable.
Leadership: Ostensibly the country is ruled by the monarchy, but its current king, Louis III is mentally unstable and spends most of his time throwing lavish parties and killing peasants for fun. The king's advisors do most of the hard work.
Military: France has heavily fortified borders, but the real might of the nation comes from its spy network, run by the king's closest advisor Pontif Chereax. The spy network has been instrumental in strategically placing mobile forces and surprise tactics to repel invaders.
Diplomacy: Treaties with Alpine states and truces with Britain and Castile. France has spies in most western European states. Ties to the papal state including a cardinal with some lawmaking capabilities.

(7) Kingdom of Castile (Spain):
Quickly adopting the technology of DaVinci, Castile's monarchy repelled the Moorish occupiers of the penninsula's southern and eastern coast. Most peasants call the newer nation Espana or Spain. Deadlocked with France over control of the mountainous region between their countries, the Castile kings and queens began to focus instead on naval strength and the removal of Moorish influences from within the country, including torture and killing of suspected heretics.
Leadership: Queen Isabella II loves involvement with naval strategy and hopes to build the greatest armada in the world. The Inquisition is still strong in Castile, constantly on the loojout for foreign heretics. Oligarchs have risen in power in many ports as well, rich from contractual plunder of coastal nations.
Military: Castile has one of the stronger naval forces in the world and uses it to constantly fight with the Islamic nations of northern Africa. The monarchy frequently hires privateers in return for some of their plunder.
Diplomacy: Truce with France, treaty with Portugal, close ties to the papal state through their inquisition.

Continued on next post:

[$tormin]

(8) Portugal
Leadership: Monarchy
Military: Conquistadors and privateers are constantly being sent out to explore and conquer the coast of Africa. Naval power not quite as strong or organized as Castile.
Diplomacy: Treaty with Castile allows for concentration on naval power.

(9) Alpine states
The area from Burgundy to Austria is made up of a loose confederacy of nations left over from the collapse of DaVinci's empire. Some of the states are peaceful or rebuilding, others are constantly pushing against incursions from Tobenkoff.
Leadership: the Alpine states are ruled individually, sometimes by monarchs, but more often by councils governing some specific valley's village. Councils of the states' leaders meet frequently to discuss laws and strategy.
Military: The militaries of each nation are allied into one cohesive force. Most units choose clockwork walkers for movement due to the rough terrain of theirs and surrounding nations.
Diplomacy: The Alpine nations have been able to avoid open conflict with other nations except for the expansionist Tobenkoff, who has taken several of the confederacy's original nations.

(10) The Bohemian States
Many of the nations that lie to the east of Tobenkoff's empire are individually fiercely nationalistic and independant, and are only collectively known by any name. Tobenkoff has found many of them to be easily conquered, but terrain and strategic alliances have kept him at bay from the largest, Bohemia and a few states protected by it.
Leadership: Count VonHofen has been the strongest leadership role of the Bohemian states, turning castles that were once decorative into true fortresses and forging alliances against Tobenkoff's military might.
Military: While the allied forces of Bohemia, consisting of a formidable zeppelin fleet and fortresses lining the mountains, have been strong enough to keep Tobenkoff at bay, they are not nearly strong enough to push back.
Diplomacy: Open war with Tobenkoff currently stuck along a mountain range in Bohemia. VonHofen seeks allies constantly, but has not recently had much success.

(11) Moldavia-
Europeans don't particularly like to speak of what goes on in Moldavia or any of the states that it had taken over as its empire expanded over much of the southeastern continent. Tales of lifeless bodies being reused to create a vast army are the most frightening. Still, the nation forms a buffer between the fierce Ottoman Empire and Europe.
Leadership: Prince Varisputin has declared himself king of the nation of Moldavia, excercising dominance over whatever forces make the constant army of flesh constructs.
Military: Moldavia's forces rely heavily upon an army of repulsive flesh constructs as well as other vicious acts. The military sows fear and despair worse than even Tobenkoff.

(12) The Ottoman Sultanate-
An Islamic Empire that has been pushing into Europe since crusaders withdrew from the Middle East at the start of the Renaissance and DaVinci's time. They are kept in check by Moldavia and Aegea, but keep a constant threat on the horizon should either falter.
Leadership- Sultans watch over vast tracts of the empire's land, but in turn owe loyalty to a military/religious tribunal centered in Mecca.
Military- The Ottomans have the knowledge of steam and clockwork, but not the resources of European, Asian or even African nations, so they make due with a limited zeppelin and steamship fleet acquired through trade. Still, the Ottomans have carved their empire through the success of their skilled and fierce armies. Only the concerted efforts of Serbia and Aegea and the seemingly unbeatable army of Moldovia have kept the Ottomans from any serious land grab into Europe.
Diplomacy- Hostile relations with bordering Europeans, but some trade with more distant countries seeking exotic items.

(13) Realm of the Teutonic Order-
Territory originally conquered by germanic countries before the time of DaVinci, the Realm has often served as the seat for crusades and conquerors into eastern countries and the middle east. With the rise of secular Tobenkoff, the Teutonic Order lost its center, but has claimed independence.
Leadership- Duke Archibald is a religious and military leader of the order. Many of those immediately below the Duke actually command and ride with crusaders all over Europe.
Military- The armies of the Teutonic Order enjoy the freedom of movement through much of Europe, as they are not seen as a conquering force. Commanded individually, the cavalries they are known for can be armed with anything from lances and swords to rifles and steam tanks. Currently the more agressive units of the Teutons are allied with the Serbs and Aegeans fighting Moldovia and the Ottoman Empire.
Diplomacy- Some Units of the Teutonic Order are lightly armed, and are frequently used as escorts for diplomatic parties all over Europe. For this reason, Teutonic knights are welcome even in aggressive nations like Tobenkoff. To reinforce the notion that his Order does not serve Rome, Archibald has ordered that his knights stay out of the Papal state. Also, disgusted by Moldovia and the spread of Ottoman rule into Europe, the Teutonic order has openly declared war on both nations and has been instrumental in the successes of Serbia and Aegea.

(14) The disputed lands of Luxemburg-
One of the larger conquests of Tobenkoff, Luxemburg and some of the surrounding nation states still remain some of the most resistant to his rule. Frequent uprisings claiming rule by France or independent alliance with the Alpine states have to be put down by Tobenkoff's military might.
Leadership- With the only military presence in the area, Tobenkoff is undeniably the ruler of Luxemburg, but often the country can seem ruled more by anarchy. Resistance forces follow a new leader almost weekly.
Military- Subterfuge is the choice tactic of resistance fighters, while Tobenkoff's armies will often respond with complete devastation.
Diplomacy- Some resistance movements have sought outside aid, but France does not want to join the conflict with Tobenkoff while their borders are secure and the Alpine states are busy fighting their own battles.

(15) Serbia-
Squeezed by the aggressive Moldovia and Ottomans, Several nations that were once part of DaVinci's empire have allied with the aid of the Teutonic Order to repel the invaders.
Military- Serbian forces consist mainly of the leftovers from DaVinci's reign, older versions of much of the equipment standard in other European countries. The old has still been useful and has slowed the advance of both enemies.
Diplomacy- Soured ties to DaVinci mean that new equipment has not been forthcoming. Aegea has been a close ally and concerted efforts recently repelled Ottoman holdings that separated the nations.

(16) Aegea-
A strong naval power and biggest threat to the Ottoman empire in Europe. Despite large losses of land on the European continent, the Aegean navy has just recently made a surprise attack on the Black sea straits and taken a land holding there allowing for attacks on Istanbul.
Leadership-
Military- It remains to be seen if the Aegean navy's victory will diminish the potency of the Ottomans in Europe. The Aegean military is not of a size for empire building, but the Aegeans have seen a great deal of support from other nations.
Diplomacy- Military cooperation has done wonders for the alliance between Aegea and Serbia despite ethnic conflict between the two.

[$tormin]

Current Date: Spring 1576
Current news: To be added. Check here often
-New rumors released that the Papal State had been responsible for the loss of DaVinci's fleet. Information about possible whereabouts of hordes brings out treasure hunters and even the interest of national leaders.



Current Players:
Erwin Thompson ($tormin) (http://www.guforums.com/showthread.php?p=239408#post239408) Status: Killed in Action
David Foxfist (Rookie) (http://www.guforums.com/showthread.php?p=239425#post239425) Status: Active and Alive
Antonii DaZephyre (Gumblackwood) (http://www.guforums.com/showthread.php?p=239441#post239441) Status: Active and Alive
Daniel 'Dani' Rita Sullivan (Soria) (http://www.guforums.com/showthread.php?p=239576#post239576)Status: Active and Alive
Christopher "Chris" Bachen (Shayd) (http://www.guforums.com/showthread.php?p=240498#post240498) Status: Active and Alive
Jason “Jay” Kendrick (Slarethorn) (http://www.guforums.com/showthread.php?p=241963#post241963) Status: Active and Alive
Jep’ray Agoto (jep'ray) (http://www.guforums.com/showthread.php?p=242910#post242910) Status: Active and Alive
Viktor Koffard ($tormin) (http://www.guforums.com/showthread.php?p=245882#post245882) Status: Captured by Blaite
Conrad Galleria (Gramorn Soulaxe39) (http://www.guforums.com/showthread.php?p=249199#post249199) Status: Active and Alive
Maximillion Traiz, Gentleman Adventurer! ($tormin) (http://www.guforums.com/showthread.php?p=249020#post249020) Status: Active, Alive and Awesome!

[$tormin]

Well, since nobody else wants to be first, here is my character. He will be minor and depending on story will probably die quickly so I can concentrate on the story and running NPC's.

Erwin Thompson
Skills:
Small Arms: Rifle
Exotic Firearms: Steam Cannon
Invention Engineering: Level 2
Healing: Level 1

Profession: Mercenary
Description: Tall, red haired male. Bare hint of British accent.

Erwin was a general systems mechanic in the Royal Navy during the failed assault on the Black Fortress five years ago when his ship was destroyed. Escaping into the countryside he managed to avoid patrols and joined a small band of traveling adventurers. Since then he has moved from group to group exploring Europe and hiring out to those who are willing to buy his skills.

Henchmen: None

Equipment: Rifle, pistol, ammo & powder, provisions. Average money in local currency and unmarked silver bars.

[Rookie]

Alright, I'm ready to go. Let me know if i need to adjust anything.

David Foxfist
Skills:
Small Arms: Rifle, Pistol (sidearm)
Marksman: Rifle
Basic Riding
Jack of Trades: Healing, Martial Arts, Strength
Stealth

Profession: Hunter
Description: Tall, Dark Haired Male, Average build but fit, slight British accent

Traveler who intended to make his living as a hunter and trapper, living off the land and the animals if he could. He never intended to turn his rifle against humans, but he worries that the time may be coming soon. Well mannered with strong moral values. Interested in increasing his fortunes due to less than spectacular seasons.

Henchmen: none

Equipment: Rifle, Pistol, Ammo and Powder, hunting provisions (skinning knife, small traps, ropes for hanging animals,), hide treatment tools, small first aid kit, slightly less than average currency.

Hopefully i didn't overstep anything? Hopefully some more people sign up.

[$tormin]

Jack of Trades: Slight ability in three skills (not including skills with pre-reqs). Can bind a wound but cannot set a bone, can jury-rig a fan belt from another material but it will not last long or be effective, slightly increased ability with weapons.


Mind picking your three skills for Jack of Trades? I nerfed this one early since everyone grabbed it in the original RPT that it appeared in.

[Rookie]

Righto, fixed.

So i have some skill in healing, able to maybe punch a little better, and maybe a little stronger? And with the basic Jack of Trades i get the slightly increased weapons ability, the bind wound, jury-rig fan belt stuff?

[$tormin]

You picked healing, martial arts and strength. That means Jack of Trades gives you Boyscout level of first aid (still better than the average person who does more harm than good), you can hold your own in a barfight where an average person would get the bejesus knocked out of him first go around. You can also do some pretty heavy work and take a beating because of the strength but you are far below a bodybuilder, professional boxer or Flesh Construct (which would have the Strength skill).

[Rookie]

That's about what i figured. :)

So I'm good to go then. Just gotta wait for some more players and we can get started.

[Gumblackwood]

Was just waiting for others to have a go at characters before I added mine:

Antonii DaZephyre
Skills:
Flight
Small Arms: pistol
Demolitions
First Aid: level 2

Profession: Ornithopter field medic
Description: Short, thin male in his late twenties. Eastern European, but with a completely implaceable accent. Antonii wears metallic braces on his legs.

Antonii lived with his brother Malion on the Zephyre, a flying triage and command post belonging to the Alpine state of Milan, for a good portion of his life, watching over battles from high above and learning first aid and flying skills. When he grew old enough, Antonii became a triage medic, tasked with healing on the battlefields and bringing the wounded via ornithopters to the Zephyre. He also learned to use pistols and grenades like most ornithopter pilots.

The Zephyre was brought down by sabotage while making a distraction attack on southern Tobenkoff during the failed assault on the Black fortress.
Antonii was flying his ornithopter at the time, which was badly damaged, and Antonii had to flee on foot behind enemy lines. He's been wandering since, in search of his brother or other survivors from the Zephyre, but also for the means to rebuild the Zephyre or cease these wars.

Henchmen: None

Equipment: Pistol, powder and ammo, two grenades, medical supplies, canvas and rations salvaged from the ornithopter, very little currency

(I'll reveal some more of Antonii's past to $tormin in a private message, but right now I've got to go)

Edit: Due to a change in policy regarding grenades, Antonii instead has the demolitions skill, making him more comfortable with explosives, including their manufacture.

[$tormin]

Border Patrol

Karl Hindenburg watched the Bohemian convoy move along the road in the valley below. Five trucks with a light escort of twenty troopers and three clockwork soldiers, it was too easy and Karl wanted to call off attacking for fear of it being a trap. He crawled over to Adrien who was watching the sky intently.
“Anything?”
“Not a spec” Adrien whispered. “No air cover at all. I figure it to be an unimportant trip they wanted to sneak past us.”
Karl closed his eyes and considered his options. He had scouted ahead long before now and found nothing, if the caravan was a decoy then the reinforcements would have to be trailing it. With the mountain passes twisting like they did it was a possibility.
“Signal to attack. Let's do this quickly and be out of here.” Adrien nodded and crawled over to pass along the order.

Five Panzerfaust rockets struck the first truck and the men around it were thrown as the boiler ruptured and blew. Three more struck the trailing truck, crippling it and preventing the others from quickly escaping. One of the Bohemian clockworks snapped around and fired off a shot at extreme range with its oversize rifle. The sniper machine hit a pair of Tobenkoff's troopers before going down as two rockets struck near it.
The remaining three undamaged trucks began to spew steam as the Bohemians took cover behind them and released pressure in the boilers to prevent further explosion. Rockets flew to the cliffs and several Baronial soldiers were pitched forward by a rocket's near miss. One of the Bohemian clockworks took cover with the soldiers while the other drew a pair of pistols from its bandoleers and fired with deadly accuracy before dropping its spent weapons for its sword.
A trio of rockets went for it but none hit close enough to do damage. Karl called for a charge and two of his troops, wearing heavy clockwork armor, slid down the hill and fired rockets into the defenders before pulling the heavy war hammers they carried out and making a dash for cover. Bohemians fired and a few shots hit the armored troopers to no effect.
This was the signal for the rest of the Baronial troops to fire a volley into the dissipating steam. Now flanked, the Bohemians began to panic.
The two mechanical soldiers went after the armored troopers and one was struck down with a hammer blow to its legs. The man grimaced unseen behind his heavy helmet as he repeatedly brought his hammer down on the chest of the robot, destroying its mechanical controls.
The second had more luck as it fired before being hit. The bullet at close range was enough to pierce the armor and the man fell screaming. With an inhuman power, construct three pulled out its blade and began to shove it into the armor, killing the Baronial soldier before being crippled by a blow to its back.
Karl didn't have time to pay attention to the battle between the armored troopers and the clockworks. He lost a few men to gunfire before his men got in range to lob grenades over the vehicles among the enemy. Pausing only to reload his gun once he hit cover, Karl ran to the back of the disabled truck and was a moment away from firing when he realized that the enemy was surrendering.

“Well, what were they carrying?” Karl asked of Adrien a couple hours after the battle when he had seen to the prisoners and his wounded.
“Rifles and Panzerfausts. Not local designs, they are all obviously British in origin and very poorly made.”
“Why would they be moving British guns through these passes? That doesn't make any sense.”
“It would if they were intended to supply another Luxembourg rebellion.” Adrien said. “I am seeing to the destruction of most of them, as well as the vehicles but I suggest we take a few back and let the Baron figure this out for himself.”
Karl nodded. The zeppelin would come around in a day to pick the troops up and replace them with a fresh patrol.

[Soria]

( Is it too late to join? Here's my character if it isn't.)

Danielle 'Dani' Rita Sullivan.

Skills:
Enginneering: level two.
Small arms: pistol
First aid.
Driving.

Occupation: Engineer/tinkerer
Description: Short and thin red head, with blue eyes. Irish through and through, and very much a tom boy. Mid to late 20's

While bubbly and kind, she does have a firey temper and refuses to answer any questions she deems ' too personal'. Dani travels from place to place looking for work.

Henchmen: None.

Equipment: Pistol, ammo, a small tool box and provisions, as well as some currencies.

[$tormin]

Good to have you aboard. Its nowhere near too late to sign up, I am going to try to wait for one or two more people before opening the game thread.
Hurry people!



Btw, we might need someone with social skills and heavy weapon skills if the group is going to play "bash in the door" style. Pistols and hunting rifles are not going to stop a clockwork war horror ;)

[Soria]

I would have made Dani that... but can you see a wee irish girl with a bazooka? I think not.

[Rookie]

I entertained the idea of a henchman. But a down on his luck hunter with a henchman didn't make much sense. Then i thought about a clockwork robot, but he'd probably be better equipped for helping with hides and such, and less for wielding a panzerfaust.

So hopefully next person likes to blow the hell out of robots.

[$tormin]

I am going to try to start the story itself by Tuesday, hopefully we can get some more signed up by then.

[Soria]

If not, maybe one of us could make a second character?

[$tormin]

Jorel Tobenkoff stepped lightly past the armed constructs into the great liberary, easing the double doors behind him he stepped beside Heinrich, his father.
“Still living in the past, father? We have a future to protect here and now.” Jorel turned his attention to the huge painting that dominated the wall.
It was a scene with a single man demonstrating some model that was not clear. Surrounding him were several recognizable figures. The central man was none other than the original great inventor, Leonardo Da Vinci. Surrounding him was Jorel's grandfather Heinrich Tobenkoff the First, the first king of Normandy Harod Vedmhinn , Don Arsenio and one other that Jorel never discovered the name to.
Heinrich turned to his eldest surviving son and rested a hand on the much younger man's shoulder. “You are right. I should be leading instead of holding back. Did you get the information?”
“Yes, in fact I did and it is as bad as we had feared. There is no doubt about it, the British are supplying rebels within our territories with vast quantities of weapons that were ill made but still serviceable.
“In addition to this, more British supplies are being housed in French docks. Our advisors estimate that within a year or two a joint British-French axis will attack and quickly overwhelm Normandy while we are tied up fighting the Bohemians and our own internal rebellions.”

Heinrich walked to the cabinet and poured a pair of drinks, passing one to his son. “A plan that almost cannot fail. Da Vinci is a toothless lion and will not even send token aid, and the Papal State will dance on my grave as soon as nobody is around to see.
“I propose a toast, son. A toast to the next war. A toast to the bloodiest event in the history of humanity.”



---------------------


For people making second characters, I will say go for it.

The start setting is going to be a town on the Normandy side of the French/Normandy border. The players are mercenaries recently done with a contract to keep a minor Norman lord's lands bandit and raider free over the winter so everyone will know each other, have a decent amount of extra cash and will be looking around for a new job with preference for one that will let them work together. This will save that whole "never meeting up with one another" fiasco from my failed Low Fantasy rpt.

[Grand Inquisitor Cyrilus]

Long time, no post.

I’ve been meaning to start forum posting again, and this thread looks like the perfect opportunity to do so. I’ll try to get a character together asap, complete with the obligatory heavy weapons and possibly social skills just to round things off nicely.

One thought, though – my initial vibe was to make a British character, but there already seems to be an abundance of them. On the one hand, having most of the characters from the same region might give them a plausible reason for banding together, but on the other hand a bit more diversity might not go astray, just for interest.

The question, then: To Brit, or not to Brit? Discuss.

[$tormin]

Either would work. With the premise of everyone having worked with one another during the winter and (if they didn't know each other before) building the friendships then, any nationality would work.

I am not going to keep track of languages and such, everyone speaks a magical language called "European" ;P


4pm pst on Tuesday, game thread is open. Anyone who wants to sign up is still more than welcome. I will work you in if you think you will have trouble doing it yourself

[Soria]

$tormin, is everybody already in the group?

[$tormin]

Indeed. I posted earlier that I was going to have everyone start together to avoid that problem that happened with the last rpt where people were unable to join up because everyone kept moving around.

[Soria]

Ah..

[$tormin]

Wonder where Gumbal and Cyrilus are.

[Gumblackwood]

Just moved last weekend and I have no idea when my internet is going to be working regularly, I'm using my dad's dialup at the moment.

[$tormin]

Hope you like the new place! The hardships of moving do suck though.

[Grand Inquisitor Cyrilus]

Sadly, “as soon as possible” doesn’t necessarily mean “soon”. I wasn’t planning on it taking this long to get a mere character sheet done, but as you’ve probably all guessed there’s been real-life distractions aplenty. With any luck it won’t take too much longer for me to get into things, but try to avoid the clockwork war horrors until then.

And yes, moving house can be a tricky process. Best of luck, Gumblack.

[Shayd]

Christopher "Chris" Bachen
Skills:
Armored Combat
Melee Weapons: Sword, Shield
Exotic Firearms: Recoiless Gun
Strength
Leadership



Profession: Mercenary
Description: Tall (over 6ft), Imposing, Germanic, Close cropped hair. His body shows the signs of many battles.

A Fearless Warrior in combat, not stupidly so. While his size may seem like all brawn and no brain, this is deceptive. A brillant Tactician when needed. Chris is a vetran of combat. Tho he is from the Realm of the Teutonic Order he is not religious. After taking the brunt of an attempt to end his life because of this, he left the Realm.

Lives for combat, takes pleasure in Victory. Military minded with the heart of a Barbarian. While not a social person, he is at ease with his comrades in arms. Out of Combat he is either Drinking with comrades, caring for his gear or Taking care of his "pet" a Large warhorse named "Hans".



Henchmen: None

Equipment: Clockwork Armor, Recoiless Gun & Ammo, Heavy Bastard Sword, Heavy Armored Shield. Supplies to care for his gear, provisions, some currency and His large Warhorse.

**I hope I did this right. First time doing this**

[$tormin]

Glad to have you. No problems with your character build. If you want to jump in, you can either have been sitting at the table silent or walk in late to meet everyone.

[$tormin]

The contracts are on the table still. Standard terms for hiring armed guards. You provide your own weapons and will be reimbursed afterwards for damage and ammunition. Reasonable pay for the trip plus a bunch of bonuses depending on unexpected danger and any combats.
Remember, Chris was out of the room when the discussion earlier happened so someone should fill him in.

[$tormin]

"Somethings bothering me. Erwin said this lad already lost some guards, right? What exactly is he transporting? You don't lose and need guards for candied fruit." Dani leaned back in her chair, biting her lower lip. Maybe she was being paranoid, but something smelled fishy.


If you want to, you could talk to the guy. I am available to play the important NPC's.

[$tormin]

If nothing moves in the next day, I will set the story along with the assumption that everyone is willing to go along with the contracts.

[Rookie]

That'd be a safe bet.

[$tormin]

I am considering making this particular story a rather short one and having one or two following stories following it, like a book series.
For example (and don't for a moment think this is going to happen in the story) the party finds and destroys the 15 story tall flesh construct that Da Vinci created before he died and they get a mountain of treasure. Story winds down for a bit and the next story deals with the results.
For example, if everyone plays the same guys they might be hunted down by everyone who wants what they now have. If everyone goes with rolling new people, everyone could be working with one of the governments that are trying to get the treasure.
Opinions?

[$tormin]

A note on combat with or against clockwork constructs.
Even though the "AI" in the Legacy-verse would be advanced in comparison to modern computers in terms of pathfinding, voice recognition and dealing with unusual situations you must remember that they are also quite stupid.
When fighting at range they will shoot at any hostile or moving target, priority given to humanoid shapes and sizes. Before charging into the enemy try to be sure you won't get shot in the back.
In melee range, clockworks will usually attack obviously hostile targets or, if given orders, any nearby moving creature not previously identified as friendly. Problems happen here too if the attackers are able to wear similar clothing to the defenders and act in a non-hostile manner getting close enough to disable the clockwork.

[Slarethorn]

Hey guys, how's it going. I'd like to jump into this thing, if it's not too late. If you just want to hold me off until the next story arc starts, that's fine too. I figured my character could be independently hired by your group's employers to aid in the protection of the cargo. Whichever you decide is fine by me.

Jason “Jay” Kendrick
Skills:
Exotic firearm: Rocket Launcher
Marksmanship: Rocket Launcher
Invention Engineering, Level 2
Speech craft

Profession: former soldier turned vagabond/mercenary
Description: 5’10”, medium build, short brown hair, dull green eyes. Slight German accent.

Jason was once a soldier serving in the Moldavian army, filling one of the few jobs their hordes of flesh constructs could not grasp: the precise aim of the human eye. His incredible precision with a rocket launcher earned him a spot in the main forces of the Moldavian ranks, and in order to hold this coveted position, he began to focus all his weapons training exclusively on his current tool of destruction, shunning all other forms of weaponry to further better his skill. However, since he did tend to fight alongside constructs on a regular basis, he also picked up the advanced methods of construct repair and maintenance, even learning a few building plans along the way.

As the years passed, however, the sheer vileness of the tasks he performed and the pain and suffering he was forced to witness began to wear away at his resolve. He started to consider fleeing the army and escaping to the freedom of one of the western nations, but the constant eye of the overseers made slipping out unnoticed next to impossible. Even so, he vowed to find a way to get out of his maddening position within the evil forces of Moldavia. Killing people for survival or in fair combat was one thing, but senseless slaughter and brutal torture was something he could not do.

It was a battle near the country’s border that gave him the chance. As night fell, visibility became poor, and Jason made his move. He ran from the front lines, ignoring the shouts and angry yells of those who managed to spot him fleeing the battle. A shout was given for the constructs to stop him, but he too far gone for most of them to keep up. Those that were in range to attack were repelled by a round from his rocket launcher, recoiling from the detonation as it burned their already warped flesh. He cleared the force, minus his weapon, which was hampering his movement too much to bring along with him. Alone and knowing little about the world beyond Moldavia, he set out across Europe, looking for work wherever he found it.

Since that day, Jason has learned the art of negotiation, realizing that he would need to be able to barter and smooth talk to get ahead in life. He did enough odd jobs and tasks to work up enough money to replace his rocket launcher, and has traveled to France to see if someone needs anything blown up. As his motto states, “I’m good at two things: putting constructs together and taking them apart.”

Henchman:

“Buddy” flesh construct
Skills:
Armored combat
Melee weapons
Strength

Description: Uh, warped flesh, half-machine, half-human, etc. 6’6”, strong build.

He is not alone, however. Shortly after escaping the Moldavian army, Jason was almost scared to death to see one of the Moldavian flesh constructs come plodding out of the darkness, seemingly intent on killing him. Certain he was doomed, as he had not yet found a new weapon, he was shocked when the construct instead stopped in front of him, simply staring silently at him.

Confused, but convinced the creature was not a threat, Jason settled down to sleep only to find the construct still in his camp the next morning. It had sat down in front of him, still staring intently, unblinking. Cautiously, Jason packed up his bags and set out further west, continuing his search for work. The construct, rising from its seat on the ground, stood up and sauntered into step behind him. Panicking, Jason attempted to lose the beast, yet no matter how hard he tried, it always found him the next night. Finally, he accepted the construct’s presence, reluctantly admitting to himself he now had a companion.

His only thinking as to why the fleshy horror had followed him was it still retained a portion of its former human feelings and thoughts, and recognized the desire of freedom just as Jason had, and so had pursued him when he made his escape from the army. Why it chose to stay by him, he could only assume it was for protection, since less learned folk would likely label it a monster and kill it on sight. Since it cannot speak, Jason has simply taken to calling it “Buddy”, as he knows neither its former human name nor its former gender. It does seem to understand human speech, however, and can obey commands and nod or shake it head in answer. Its comprehension skills are limited, however, and so it will sometimes balk at answering certain types of questions.

Supplies:

Jason: rocket launcher, ammo, toolkit, small supply of construct repair parts, foodstuffs

“Buddy”: Bastard sword (which it can use one-handed if needed), clockwork armor

[$tormin]

If you want to slip in right away, you can be a personal bodyguard to Terrance Coffin, the trade factor for Hightower House. This is the passenger that is going along with the caravan everyone else hired to.


Man, inherent Flesh Construct strength stacked with Strength skill and Clockwork Armor. I don't think anyone is going to have much need for keys if they end up having to go through locked doors :D
Don't try to overplay the stacking abilities too far though...<gives the nerf bat a couple swings>

[Soria]

$tormin'... What about motorcycles?

[$tormin]

I guess motorcycles would use the Driving skill. For smaller ones, go clockwork. For a real mean machine go steam powered (though you have to make allowance for your fuel supply)

[Slarethorn]

Sounds good to me. And I planned on having Buddy move slightly sluggish, and it'll sometimes be slow to action as well, due to not always comprehending human speech. It only takes orders from Jason, but it won't go berserk and try to decapitate anyone, either; it's a pretty calm construct.

Edit: I didn't think the flesh construct strength was enough to do something like bash down a steel door. Could one actually pull that off?

[$tormin]

Well I gave flesh constructs natural strength because they don't feel pain so they can push muscles a lot harder than a living person can. Having spent a skill point on strength, I assumed you meant that Buddy was built for exceptional strength beyond the norm for even flesh constructs.
Armored Combat and clockwork Armor gives a huge boost to Strength skill in addition to near immunity to small arms fire the drawback was that you wouldn't wear armor all the time so the Strength skill would still be useful to have.

Buddy here could swing a battering ram pretty nicely or, if braced, could break most sturdy doors. I would peg the upper limits on strength to lifting the back end of an unloaded steam truck rather than being able to pick up a truck and throw it though. Useful if a wheel breaks :D

[Soria]

I was just thinking that they could have some in the caravan, and Dani asks for the plans in luei of payment.

[Slarethorn]

That point in Strength is the natural one listed in the flesh construct analysis. Since it's a henchman, Buddy would only have two points, which I spent on Melee Weapons and Armored Combat. If the Strength skill flesh constructs get for free is different than the one characters choose from the list,then that should serve to balance things out somewhat.

[$tormin]

I was just thinking that they could have some in the caravan, and Dani asks for the plans in luei of payment.


TBH, I would classify steam vehicles as simple so Engineering 2 would allow you to copy and build a bike without plans. To make it even more realistic, help the caravan's mechanic doing repairs to the bikes and other vehicles.
The pain will come when you actually have to build it. If you watch shows like American Chopper you will see that it takes quite a while to build a bike and they have the advantage of using proven designs and having standardized parts such as pre-made engines.

[$tormin]

That point in Strength is the natural one listed in the flesh construct analysis. Since it's a henchman, Buddy would only have two points, which I spent on Melee Weapons and Armored Combat. If the Strength skill flesh constructs get for free is different than the one characters choose from the list,then that should serve to balance things out somewhat.


Wow, do I have egg on my face or what? You are right there, I completely forgot about the henchman bonus taking 2 points away.

[Soria]

Ah... Maybe she'll just ask for one. :D

[$tormin]

Expect action soon. I am going to try to speed through a bit now since it seems everyone is going well with the flow.
I can still fit in more people if others are interested in joining up.

[$tormin]

Eventually you people are going to have to decide on a leader or, if you decide to be democratic, someone to speak for everyone to outsiders. Points for consideration are the Characters build skillwise and the players activeness on the forum (someone who can only check in once a week probably isn't best).
Of course I am not available to be nominated since I am the game master :P

[Soria]

Aww.. damnit... NOT IT!

[$tormin]

Joshua Mondragon (NPC)
Skills: Invention/Engineering 3
Driving
Jack of Trades: Firearms (pistol/rifle) Marksman and Melee Weapons (Rapier)

Profession: Mechanic/Inventor

Description: A shorter than average man, Joshua has unhealthy looking skin and wears a mask most of the time due to heavily damaged lungs.

From the age of 10, Joshua could do nothing but work with machines. His family, his church, even his few remaining friends could not surpass tinkering and building in his mind. At 16 he joined the French military like his older brother Teriluian and by 18 he had surpassed his brother in rank going through the mechanical divisions. At 20 he was assigned to running a chemical weapons factory, soon after which there was an accident and poison gas was released into the air killing most of the workers and maiming the rest.
After his recovery from the accident, Joshua joined up with his brother again and hired on with a major trading house that operated out of Normandy.

[$tormin]

Ambushers:

7 men placed beside the road, all armed with rifles, pistols, grenades, etc. 3 have recoilless guns but only the ones in the bunker will have access to more than two or three rockets.
3 ambushers are positioned in a makeshift camouflaged bunker made of packed dirt, the rest are in hidden foxholes or mobile.

5 men are around the corner, similarly armed as the first 7 but their charge is a light 6 pounder gun they will bring around the corner if there's a concentration of people on the road or if any vehicles are brought up.

If there is an attempt to dig in, the gun will be brought around. If the encounter lasts until nightfall they will attempt to hold down the mercs with a small number of people and hit the convoy (if it's still nearby) with their rockets.

[jep'ray]

Jep’ray Agoto

Skills:

Small Arms: enough to keep him alive in duels
Marksmen: Scoped long rifle, hunting on his estate since childhood he is a very good shot from long range.
Driving: Steam truck
Invention/Engineering: Level 2 only half finished with his studies at school, he is proficient at what he knows…

Profession: Wandering inventor/student

Description: A lanky and of average height 5’8” of 22 years. He has black hair and brown eyes, fair skinned and of average build. He is always very well dressed, with a pressed vest and tie on at all times, except when he’s tinkering with something. It belays his upper crust upbringing. He’s educated but not very street smart…

Bio: A former citizen of Normandy, he is a born engineer and mechanic. He was raised in a wealthy house hold, and always had the finest things. He was sent to the best university that money could buy in Da Vinci, he excelled in his studies. He was half way through his classes when everything he knew was turned on its ear.
The money his family was made with the blood of others as the manor/factory home built weapons for any buyer…his care free days ended suddenly when an unknown force assaulted the manor, killing everyone on the grounds, and burning every last structure to the ground.
Jep was off at school when this attack occurred. Hoping to surprise his little sister and parents, he took some time off to go and visit them. As his small troupe of handlers, servants and guards neared his home, they could see dark damning smoke rise into the air.
What he saw almost broke him. His home was razed. Everyone was dead as far as he could see. The body of workers and servants were everywhere. Running into the smoldering ruin that was his house, he found what he assumed was his mother, in her room, cut down in the corner. As he shuffled in the ashes he found the small badly burn corpse of his little sister. He carried her out, sobbing openly, he placed her at the base of the broken angle statue in the front court of the home. He started to dig her grave. His personal servants were wailing some where off in the distance, guards started to police the bodies. Here, surrounded by the death and destruction his deadly despair turned into something more venomous. He had just lost all he knew. His despair turned to anger and the thoughts of revenge.
His country could not hold its promise to protect his family and now all was lost.
A guard was talking to him but he couldn’t hear him, he just walked off. Dismissing everyone with a simple wave, he stalked to the Steam truck that held his possessions. Pressured up the main tank and drove off. He would hunt down his family’s killers and those that they associated with. He renounced his allegance to Normandy and struck off into the wide open lands of the unknown. Running low on money to help maintain his steam truck he struck a contract with a Mr. Teriluian Mondragon for the rent of his service as a driver and his steam truck. Now the most smartly dressed trucker in the group. following a cold trail to his families killers

Vehicle description: Iveco T18 steam truck. Multi-terrain equipped. 10 ton steam truck. Carries 6 people in the cab and the bed can hold almost anything. Range 400 kilometers on a full water tank and fuel for the main burner. 3 axle design, dually rear axle, 2 steering axles…

Henchmen: None

[$tormin]

Okay, bio added to the list of members.

[jep'ray]

ok, i put a pic of my drawing of the steam truck in the idel hands section, tell me what you think...

[$tormin]

After action discussion. What went right, what went wrong and what did we learn?
One point is that the vehicles are going to be kept further away from any suspected ambush sites and patrols will be kept up to prevent anyone from sneaking up again.

[jep'ray]

i gotta make a bullet proof truck...but then again it won't be rocket proof...gotta get/find/steal/invent some kinda body armor...

[$tormin]

Going by your illustration, your truck wouldn't have the power to push itself anywhere if it was carrying much in the way of armor anyways.
And body armor is available. You get a penalty for wearing it without the Armored Combat skill.

[jep'ray]

yeah its a work truck not a armoured truck...anyways the center of gravity is way to high...im working on a half track and a few other cars and things, anyone have something in mind i could maybe draw...mechanical mind you...im a technical artist not a people artist...thats what my sister is good at...its just that steam boilers weight is so much, and the needed water and oil to boil l the water...gotta make things heavy as heck...also old time wheels were tall and narrow...half wood and half metal...or all metal.

[$tormin]

Train engine on the front to one side, the driver cabin on the other side slightly elevated so he can see around the boiler. Wide body and the front wheels huge with power going from the engine directly to the wheels with a huge set of pistons. The back is an armored box with openable gun ports and a door that slams down to make a ramp off the back.

That would be awesome :O

[jep'ray]

you sir want an armored assault vehicle...something like a Bradley infantry fighting vehicle...sure, can do, but i'd put the engine away from the bad guys, a stuck APC is a coffin...let me burst a few brain cells i'll post what i come up with in a few days...the piston should power a flywheel, basicly a train wheel but its attached to the tires or catapiller tracks thru a transmission, so the engine can be kept at a high rate of speed and the you can just engage the trans to move instead of waiting for the piston to over come the initial dead weight of the vehicle from a dead stop...ok im getting alittle too geeky with the details...but hey it makes everything else cooler...i hope...


Hmm you wanna see a wheeled, tracked, or half-track???apc?? im looking at least 1-3 water cooled machineguns or a steam powered gatling gun...but its gonna be a constantly jamming type. a steam cannon or flamethrower can also fit...

[$tormin]

Hey man, this is just the 16th century. You still have to load your guns by jamming powder and a lead bullet down the front of it, machine guns won't appear for quite some time ;P

Flywheels? That's something you have to watch out for when one of these things explodes, right? :D I was going for ugly conversion job rather than a designed military vehicle.

I have been keeping vehicles as primitive as practically possible, powerful but slow. A decent horse will leave a truck eating its dust, advanced concepts but primitive design and materials.

[jep'ray]

hmm ok, i'll turn back the tech dial alittle more. i can see a converted small steam engine turned to a armored transport job...um i think an organ gun is in order. a plate that holds like a couple dozen rounds you have to manualy load the plate, its mounted to the back of a gun with the same amount of barrels, one bullet per, and you can fire them one by one or all at once...figure a cylinder of barrels maybe 12and a matching plate..maybe a few ready plates...its a high rate of fire for a black power weapon... well its just 12 guns put together...down side, prolonged use will warp the plate then its junk or you get a nasty misfire...looks like steam based weapons otherwise...like a killer paintball gun...

o yeah alot of the old time vehicles dont have roofs...a few do alot dont...if i put a roof on a steal box its gonna get hella heavy...

looking at all steel tractor type wheels, and with the engine pulling its gonna have to be articulated...it steers by bending in the middle, with steam power, not a problem. steam powered hydralics...engine set to one side, big flywheel opposite the cab, and then 2 huge steel tractor wheels a kink in the middle, big box behind with the drop down door in back, a top hatch and maybe 2 side doors?? a steam gun in a turret with some armor plating...
btw the flywheel thing i got from one of the first steam cars, had a big steel wheel under the engine almost as wide as the car to keep it moving...not that dangerous its made of pig iron or solid steel, these are doing maybe 35-60mph. i think your thinking of the current composite flywheels clocking something north of 400mph...now those go boom...

[Rookie]

Sorry about lack of posting. Practice has been intense this week. But I'm still here.

As far as combat improvements:
We need to work a bit on being realistic about wounds i think. At this stage in history medicine still wasn't very well developed and some wounds that weren't properly treated had high risk for infection and eventually death. And usually when you get a limb entirely removed you could go into shock or bleed to death. You can bleed to death from a stab, let alone having a whole limb hacked off.
And maybe make shooting a little less accurate and less precise? You can probably hit the general area you're aiming at with the weapons of the period with rifling. And in combat you're also trying to keep from getting shot yourself and basically shooting on the fly, you're not always going to get it right every time.
Just some suggestions. But other than that i think it went well. Nice job guys. *thumbs up*

So what are we going to set their casualty count, their forces that were able to retreat, captured etc. And more importantly, our wounded (characters included) and damages. Did anybody (NPCs) on our side die?

[jep'ray]

heres a rough draft of the vehicle $tormin described, i am working on a final drawing, but am finding my current lack of a decent pencil a real annoyance...will work with my pen as best i can...
not sure what the current tally is, but all vehicles are in good working order, even with a crater in the road...

o yeah...um what do you guys think of the scout car i kinda thru into the pic, its a small one seat, steam buggy...and the APC should hold up to a dozen armored soilders in it, or about 18-20 non-armored peeps...one rear ramp and 2 half doors, 3 turret rings and a big hatch over the rear...front half has the driver and one gunner in a turret ring. the gun is a steam thrower...like a flame thrower but puts out scalding steam to clear the area directly around the vehicle...ok im doing it agian...too much thinking...sry...but thats the general ideal of it.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q121/jepray/Scan10042.jpg

[$tormin]

Nice vehicle.
I think the steam guns are a bit out of place though. A close range weapon like that would only really be good if people made a habit of attacking vehicles with swords or something.
Maybe just go with some sandbags making a foxhole up top and a couple of people can snipe from there, or fire a rocket, throw grenades or whatever the situation warrants. More flexibility and less complexity.

[$tormin]

History Lesson:
Some may have noticed that on the world map, Scotland/Ireland is not listed as a major nation or as part of the British Empire.
Da Vinci had 4 apprentices/backers. Baron Heinrich Tobenkoff I, Harod Vedmhinn of Normandy, and Don Arsenio of Spain (who vanished and was later found out to have been arrested and tortured to death by the rulers of his country).
The fourth is a man named Drake Irons, a British man who payed more to his Irish heritage. After Drake learned all he figured he needed, he returned home and declared himself to be the Iron Lord. While most of the British military was fighting the quickly expanding Da Vinci Empire, the Iron Lord had built a secret army and attempted to liberate his homeland.
Quickly though, when it was clear that Drake was winning, a coup was staged within his own ranks and he was forced to flee. Several factions broke away and each had access to advanced (for that time) Da Vinci style technology. This began a decades long civil war.
Attempts by the British to step in and take over were halted when it was found out that Tobenkoff and others would be ready to step in the instant British wariness turned away from him.

Right now, these areas are zones of city states that are mostly distrustful of each other but now rarely go to open conflict. British and other nations attempts at control are limited to what amounts to bribery since more outright forms of pressure might drive them all into the waiting arms of Tobenkoff.

[Rookie]

So roughly where are we at now? I know you said coast, but it'd be helpful if i knew where exactly :)

[$tormin]

South of Vannes. The caravan went west after driving from the French side of the Normandy border.


Edit: Man, that does not mesh at all with the travel time >< Gonna have to think harder or handwave reality away :P

[$tormin]

Stealth: Improved ability to hide oneself whether the terrain is favorable or not. Improves ability to move unnoticed if not directly observed.


I am considering changing this slightly to add pickpocketing, simple lockbreaking and other roguery things or I could add a separate Roguery skill. Any opinions?

[Soria]

**sigh** You just had to say that stuff about Ireland, now I gotta think of how to add to Dani, without Godmoding, or Mar Sue...Damnit!

[$tormin]

There is so much variance across the place that you can say its like that there and it will work.

[Gumblackwood]

heh, just noticed a PM from the 29th. This is what I get for paying so much attention to exams.

[Rookie]

So are we turning south now or still going west?

[$tormin]

Monster: Werewolf

Flesh Construct, Non-human.

Weight, 400Lbs
Height, 7-8 foot

Skills (standard)
Small Arms
Martial Arts
Strength
Acrobatics
Stealth

Description:
Massive constructs built as a terror weapon. Fast deadly and tough, "were wolves" were built with massive redundancy. Nearly all important organs are doubled, including a brain in the pelvis and sense organs along the spine. Such a construct can survive and operate without its head until it collapses from starvation.
Strengthened skin is reinforced with bone or chitin plates and agility helps to avert serious damage.
Werewolves can speak European and have human levels of cunning and planning ability. "Brainwashing" of subject minds instills pack and national loyalty.

[$tormin]

So are we turning south now or still going west?


Turning inland East.

[Rookie]

On werewolves: basically flesh constructs in appearance, but with special abilities, yes?

[$tormin]

They are flesh constructs, just the inventor used a little more immagination than the rest who just stitch together human parts to make a human.

They are a LOT of work to make too. Making custom shaped bones, etc

[jep'ray]

o yeah, we are going into trouble soon, i can soo see it now...um, so what do we have in the way of heavy weapons??

[$tormin]

A couple of two pounder guns plus the assorted rocket launchers and hand grenades. Joshua has some poison gas and some clockwork wasps with deadly venom stings too.

[Rookie]

They are flesh constructs, just the inventor used a little more immagination than the rest who just stitch together human parts to make a human.

They are a LOT of work to make too. Making custom shaped bones, etc

as in actual werewolf shape? not just a fancy name for a flesh construct with special abilities and such?

[$tormin]

as in actual werewolf shape? not just a fancy name for a flesh construct with special abilities and such?


Pretty close to werewolf shape, except with much larger torso than normally depicted to contain all the extras. They can bite out your throat and claw your head off so be careful getting close and personal with them, but they are not magical. No mythical werewolf healing or weakness to silver.

[Soria]

So..nothing less then a shotgun then... And I only gave Dani a pistol, crap.

[Slarethorn]

The noise thing is more less like an air horn, yes. The noise is one constant pitch, rather than something like a police siren. The pitch is a little lower than the typical air horn, though.

[jep'ray]

dueling pistols, using a larger bored and bullet than a standard pistol, ment for a one hit kill...its more of a rifle sized round, and standard powder use. got only 10 bullets for these pistols...unless i can find someone with he right rifle that i can take their ammo, my long rifle bullets are too small to fit right...i think im gonna hae to trade them in at the next stop for standard pistols...

[Soria]

:: blinks:: Damn, it sucks when you are they only one who knows diddly about weapons.

[$tormin]

If anyone is bothered by gore, just say so and I will tone it down. The current image is kinda graphic.

[Rookie]

I'm picturing this particular scene taking place in a little deciduous forest with some slight hills.
I think it would be best for the survival of my character if the second werewolf (i'm guessing) were to chase down Jacobs and a single one would go after David, seeing as how logically they would double-team David. And since he only has one pistol and the rifle, he would only be able to get one shot off, then have to quickly fire his pistol, and seeing as how they're all buffed up, one rough shot per construct wouldn't be enough, and they would run him down.
So for the sake of my character, one please? I intend to make it difficult however, don't get me wrong. Ought to make for a good test of character (so to speak).

[$tormin]

Fine...just cause you asked. Actually I was expecting you to stay mounted so you could run away :/

[Soria]

Hmmm... Any suggestions to the rest of us? I mean I didn't wanna amuse the 'werewolf' chased the horse right into the caravan, to smart for that.

[$tormin]

There you go.
Please people, try to make this fight epic not the one shot one kill of last one. These things are tough bastages that will take a lot of hurting to stop and they are smart enough that its not easy to get them in a position where you can do that hurting.

[$tormin]

Slare, how fast are you reloading your rocket launcher?

[Slarethorn]

I just figured it held four rockets in the ammo area, and I don't carry any spares around. I didn't envision the rockets as being the size of something like a bazooka, but around two-thirds the size, so it's a little easier to load.

I can't find an image example of what I'm thinking of, but the ammo in general is smaller. Now that I think about it, though, holding two would be more realistic, with a sort of double-barrel setup, and have two more in a pouch over Jason's shoulder. I also just noticed Jason fire four rockets in that battle, but mentioned he had one left. I'm gonna go fix that.

Edit: I changed the spot where he fires a wild shot at the first Werewolf to him reloading instead. I figure it takes him a good 10-15 seconds to load two, and around 7-10 to load one.

[$tormin]

Hmm...actually tracking the werewolves it seems we have more than the 5 I had thrown into the caravan battle itself.

Edit: I think it still works if all remaining werewolves are the ones that have been already wounded. Some of the ones injured in posts had been the same ones hurt in previous posts.

[Slarethorn]

To be honest, I totally forgot about the two that were committed to tracking down David and Jacobs, and wrote it as if all seven were attacking. Yeah, that's a my bad.

[jep'ray]

so i wounded one of the wolves in the 5th truck, i guess we can say there were two in the bunker... one got burned in the face by powder and the other shot out of the bunker, also shot close range with a large caliber pistol, twice...im gonna need some new pants and a rifle barrel...someone please find my body...i dont wanna get eaten...lol...so one is for sure blinded, its skull is toast, but its got a spare...the other on fire, at least in my encounter...

[Soria]

The were wolf I mentioned was Yogg.

[jep'ray]

so Tress is the one I shot with my pistols...so who did i light on fire, i guess an other nameless were-construct???

[$tormin]

As it seems, Erwin has passed on from this life to the next. Let the dibs calls for his Phat Lewt be heard! ;P

[jep'ray]

and with the passing of Erwin...so goes our ammo...well let no one say that he didnt go out with a bang!

[Rookie]

Not every character has to go out in a blaze of glory it seems. They can be tossed aside and stuck by a spear apparently. Boldly did he throw in the sponge.

I'm not sure he really had anything in the way of items that i could really want, and realistically i'm a little distant to be making calls for "item drops."

[jep'ray]

geez were gonna need something better than a cap and ball pistol or rifle to take one these constructs on..um so are revolvers possible??..with a pre loaded 4-6 rounds ball and powder with a percussion cap...maybe a bag and ball set up...small pre-packed cylinders of powder and then push a ball down on top, it will speed up loading...also are Mimi balls avaliable...those can cut down a construct me thinks...wounds to people can be horrific and normaly fatal...any thoghts to using the ww2 british man portable anti-tank gun..it was a spring loaded grenade launcher...stupid thing had a crank...like a cross bow...it was crap against german armor but to toss those clockwork bee...hmm...just some weapon ideals...

[$tormin]

Werewolves are rare. They take a lot of skill and resources to make, all the components need to be very fresh, as in pretty much extracted still moving so NO decay sets in. That includes the brain.

Edit: You will find out soon why being attacked by 7 of these things unsupported is very unlikely to happen again.

[jep'ray]

makes me think we are carrying something that someone wants very much...alot of equipment they are throwing at us...losses are bad so far...ok whats next!?

[$tormin]

Not everything revolves around the merry little band of adventurers :P

[jep'ray]

note to self...double check next time i sign on to help someone carry something across the country...and the people they are with...lol

[Gumblackwood]

We're still waiting on a big boom, right? Antonii didn't see what happened to Erwin, so he's not going to be able to do anything.

[jep'ray]

ok i need a count out of whos where in the line of trucks...i plan to walk around...but whos where...and im behind my truck at 4, 3's on fire 1&2 crashed into each other and 5 is behind me...

[$tormin]

http://img513.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wolfambushse7.gif
Here. I have placed everyone I could quickly identify the close locations of.

[jep'ray]

K, thanks a bunch...

[Slarethorn]

For reference, Jason is slumped against a tree somewhere on the left side of the first truck. He didn't get to go far before he was ambushed by the Werewolf he killed.

[$tormin]

It's getting about time to end this. Lets do so in spectacular fashion before the cavalry arrives!

[Rookie]

I second that motion.

[jep'ray]

and im face down and out cold with a broken arm, but a managed to fry the boss pup, and help buddy finish off his wolf...and hurt another one...um help...kick their butts!

[$tormin]

Your lives depend on Slare and Shayd it seems!
Unless Soria and Gumble have a trick ready O.o

[Rookie]

Mine really depends on somebody surviving to confirm my position on the caravan.

[Gumblackwood]

Antonii still has something, but he needs someone to distract the wolves, and possibly get Dani free.

[Soria]

Maybe Dani could kick at the elbow? I'm just figuring, being fired, some of the flesh from the wolf is probably gone, or seriously degraded.. either a kick or a quick movement with a wrench... just wanna make sure its possible first.

[jep'ray]

yeah the top of that wolf should be well to over well done by now...heck, go for the eyes, it could work , or you piss him off and he pulls you apart...both of those creatures is hurting real bad, heck the one holding Antonii is missing most of his brains...i guess the back up is working...he should just reach up and drop a Nade into the hole in its head...

Edit...o geez, i forgot that damn thing had a hole in its chest....good job, but um, what about the leader? Dani got outa its grip, and his buddy went Pop, but now what?? still got one left right?

[Rookie]

If you guys could move it along so I can do something besides "eagerly await" my captors reply. Being captured and not contemplating escape makes it unnecessary for me to post unless something happens that I would want to interact with.

[$tormin]

As he fell, his hand squeezed the trigger of his rocket launcher, and the rocket blasted off towards the cavalry, seemingly on a direct course for the middle of the charge. Jason's collapse had thrown off his aim, however, and the explosive crashed into the ground halfway to its target, detonating on the grassy field and catching the immediate area alight with a weak flame.


Uh OH :O

Edit:
I don't think your guy is going to be popular among his peers for this little stunt!

[Slarethorn]

Well, that's what Jason gets for stumbling into a situation half-conscious and not knowing the full situation. Serves him right!

[Soria]

I hope Dani isn't acting out of bounds. She's just trying to get things calm enough that everyone can get fixed up.

[$tormin]

Just think of them as friendly neighborhood police officers chosen for quick brutality and the only oversight they have is a French Nobleman (a contradiction in terms!)

[Soria]

Oh crap.

[Slarethorn]

Jason, suffering fresh bullet wounds in addition to what he already had, regained consciousness to have the butt of a rifle striking his head the last image he comprehends.

Does this mean Jason is simply knocked out (again), or is he full-on dead?

[$tormin]

Does this mean Jason is simply knocked out (again), or is he full-on dead?


Some fast medical treatment can save him. If there is no danger whatsoever, a medic will begin working on Jason but nobody is going to risk their life for him right now.

[Slarethorn]

Gotcha.

[Soria]

I think I misread went $tormin' wrote, my bad.

[$tormin]

I'll clarify it then in the post. It is the soldier yelling that, not Josh.

[$tormin]

I have to admit, it is kinda fun snatching moments to write posts while PvPing :D

[Rookie]

So i'm free to let my character figure out what happened? or did the order only apply to the people that were in the caravan fight and not David.

[$tormin]

David is included.

[Soria]

Once again, sorry if Dani is speaking out of turn, I'm kinda frustrated and angry this week, so I'm using Dani to take it out with choking somebody.

[$tormin]

Heh, no problem. I didn't think that you would play her as someone who held her peace anyways.

[$tormin]

Jep, sorry man but you can't pass out huge bribes without Wealth as a listed skill.

[jep'ray]

htese guys dont get pays worth aq farthing...but i'll make it a weeks pay then...hehe
sry

[Shayd]

I think I have missed too much. Not sure how to incorperate myself back into the current story. I was thinking I could chase down the pack leader? Or the officer that left. At least that would explain my disappearance. What should I do? Anyone?

[jep'ray]

you could be one of the outriders (motor bike) maybe got run off the road when a wolf went after the horsemen next to you...took a bad spill and landed in the woods off the road...alive but out cold...a soldier checking for wounded could maybe find the tire trakcs as it left the road way...or when they attacked, a were-construct riped your horses throat out, and fell oon top of you, the wolfs looking for moving targets didnt see you, as the toppling horse covered you from sight...

[$tormin]

Yeah, if you feel its best you can be found in the cleanup. Heck, you could have even been in one of the (non blown up) vehicles and knocked out when it crashed.

[$tormin]

Plot revealing boring bits are gonna be the name of the game for a while. Action will return soon though! (That is if a certain somebody doesn't shoot at friendlies again :P)

[jep'ray]

fine by me, I need to heal up, along with the rest of us...

[Soria]

Dani might hit somebody if she gets really frustrated, but right now she's way too worn for physical violence.

[Rookie]

Unfortunately I'm going to be gone for all of next week. Just kind of include David once in a while and I'll catch up when i get back.

[$tormin]

I will wait until tomorrow for Shayd and/or others to post before I move onto act 2 of this little play.


By the way, the further part in this story is quite branching and I will no longer be along as a character any of you will listen to for direction so you all are going to have to figure out what to do!

[Slarethorn]

Okay, for some dumb reason I wrote in one of Buddy's posts that Jason was dead. I don't know if anyone caught it, but that was purely an accident. If it's alright with everyone, I'll just assume he was put on an ornithopter used for the critically inured, and Buddy rode with the others, since it was in a stable condition. Again, sorry for the slip-up.

[$tormin]

Jason can wake up anytime by the way. Whether or not you lost teeth and have to talk funny is up to you.

[Slarethorn]

Eh, I figured all those injuries he took will keep him down for at least another game day. It seems a little soon for a guy with two gunshot wounds and a blow to the head to be fully conscious already. I'll have him stir and awaken briefly, but I'm willing to let his downtime be realistic.

[jep'ray]

btw i love the castle decor...geez if that spike thing dont make you feel uneasy nothing will...kinda reminds me of Fire fly, with that one mafia guy...torture you till you die, and bring you back cause its not fun to torture a dead guy...ouch...ok note to self, do not piss off castle owners...

[Rookie]

I'm back. I'll catch up later, for now i've got to get things back in order.

[$tormin]

Viktor Koffard, The Black Rose.
Skills:
Flight: Small to Medium aircraft
Advanced Riding: Aircraft
Melee Weapons: Rapier
Small Arms
Leadership

Profession: Retired pilot and spy

Description:
An average sized man in his late thirties. Has iron grey hair and smaller than average build.

Equipment: Immediately after the ambush within DeArmond's lands, Viktor only has his rapier, a pistol with spare ammo and powder as well as a small amount of local currency.


Viktor was born and grew up in Luxembourg the son of a minor noble. During Tobenkoff's invasion he flew as a sub officer in the quickly destroyed defense. Personally noting his skill, Heinrich Tobenkoff tested Viktor by placing him in a position of responsibility among his own air force. Proving himself through hard work, loyalty and skill Viktor earned his place among the best pilots of his new nation.
During a short conflict against the Alpine States, Viktor scored his fifth air to air combat kill and, because his commander retired afterward, he assumed command of the squadron.
In conflict after conflict Viktor's skill and daring have earned him no small measure of fame within the Barony and during the Two-Week war five years ago when the British attacked supported by surrounding nations Viktor led the air defense of the southern regions, gaining credit for downing The Zephyre.
Due to the injury sustained during the battle, Viktor supposedly retired to his estate but in reality he began moving throughout Europe using previously established contacts in many nations to slow down the buildup and attempt to prevent an ultimate war Heinrich Tobenkoff believes is to come.

[Rookie]

as Alexandre Dumas said in the Three Musketeers: "The plot thickens"

I'm just going to set up David lightly exploring the castle, you guys go find him when you're done dealing with Viktor.

And for those of you who have seen Smoke Signals: "Hey, Victor!"

[$tormin]

Ask the right questions the right way and a major character plot point will become a lot clearer. Blaite knows stuff, but he has his own motivations.

[Slarethorn]

I have a suggestion for a skill in the character creation stuff. The melee weapon equivalent of Marksmanship, basically. Better handling of your weapon, improved fighting with specific weapon, all in all just better trained with said weapon than someone who hadn't taken the skill.

It could be called Weapon Expertise, or perhaps Weapon Focus, to borrow more from D&D. I also think you should have to pick a certain design of melee weapon for the skill, since they all handle differently. For instance, you wouldn't be able to take simply "Weapon Focus: Sword," it would be "Weapon Focus: Broadsword." Just something to think about.

Also, I didn't actually spot Grenades in the skill list, and I think it should be one, but I also think that said skill should allow more than just the use of grenades, perhaps allowing the user to craft them as well. Anyone can pull a pin and toss one (the Werewolves did just that, in fact, and they aren't listed as having the skill).

[$tormin]

For the grenades, yeah I am going with anyone can throw them. Crafting grenades would be a technical skill which would go under engineering, though anyone could pour gunpowder into a glass ball and stick in a fuse. I might rule that you did it wrong if you have no engineering skill and have it blow up on you though!

Weapon focus as a skill would probably be a good idea. Maybe I should make a separate thread in this forum and we can build up this system into a workable GU forum RPT system that could be used for almost any game type and setting.

[Rookie]

A sort of "RPT Constitution" would be a neat idea. Give a basic guideline for how RPT's could be regulated, allow for changes and such. It could be a good idea if handled properly.

[jep'ray]

were kinda locked in our wing of the castle, is David still at large, and walking about the castle??? just wondering...

[Rookie]

Pretty much wandering still.

[$tormin]

Hope you have a good explanation for when the guards compare notes and find out that you were not in your assigned room (which you can't sneak into because the section is being closed off so nobody can sneak out :D

[jep'ray]

yeah thats what i was thinking..

[$tormin]

In the spirit of the holiday season, the DeArmond house will be holding the following games.
Bobbing for teeth and Pin the wooden bar to the face!

Just kidding! (or am I?)

[$tormin]

post coming asap. writing a line or two between runs.

[jep'ray]

lol...Type faster!...lol

[$tormin]

Long post :<

[jep'ray]

argg!!! type it in Word and just paste it over....

[$tormin]

Problem isn't what program I was writing it in, problem is that I only have a couple of minutes between dying and getting rebuffed to get back out and fight! Well, a bit longer if someone has to bio between runs but to be honest I think most of the people I group with play standing up and have an empty mayo jar nearby :|

[jep'ray]

lol yes it does seem that way sometimes...or its a tag team...just a quick swap and the other person is free to bathroom and kitchen raiding...then tag and well the game never stops...

[Rookie]

And the lesson is: never jump to conclusions.

[Gumblackwood]

So, if grenades is a non-skill now, does Antonii get something else?

[$tormin]

Sure. If you want to keep the idea of explosives you can expand your skill to cover demolitions which could be very useful if you are eventually going to delve into a dungeon or need to blow up some structure.

By the way, remember that you are not going to immediately go after the vault, Blaite mentioned that you would need keys held by DaVinci's disciples.

[Soria]

Dani mentioned that for down the road. :D

[$tormin]

I'm waiting for the day you guys decide to jump off the storyline railroad and do something I completely don't expect and I am left trying to build an entirely new story ;P

[Slarethorn]

On the subject of grenades, I do think there needs to be some sort of limit on them, otherwise you'll likely see "belt holding 2-3 grenades" on every character's equipment list. Maybe the Demolitions skill could also cover these more portable grenades, leaving those without the skill to be using clunkier, less convenient varieties.

Edit: I had edited in a giant thing on an idea about the Roguery thing mentioned awhile back, but the forums ate it :(.

[jep'ray]

so from the more expert pineapple style fragmentation nade and those glass jar clockwork insects to the Big cast metal tater masher with the giant "Pull and toss or else" flag stuck to the bottem

[$tormin]

Well a grenade is generally a very simple weapon, I can't really see how it would be something you would have to train in. In this setting it's more along the lines of light fuse and throw rather than pull a pin and throw but it's still something that is pretty hard to screw up.

[Soria]

Someone who knows explosions probably would do things like mortars.

[$tormin]

And again with the action today. I haven't even been able to work on my heros new suit now that I got a hold of the best spear on the server!
MMO's are a pain in the behind ><

[Rookie]

Not to put you on the spot $tormin, but I'm waiting for your NPC guards to decide what to do with David. Throw him in the dungeon and rot, or be taken back to the others and made the same offer and straightened out.

[$tormin]

Oh, heh. You get put with the others but from now on everyone is watched a little bit closer.

[jep'ray]

and lets everyone say "Thanks David"

[$tormin]

Is anyone actually going to oppose going along with Blaite's plan?

[jep'ray]

what, oppose a highly dangerous, we most likely wont survive this kinda encounter to go find an artifact that might or might not be there. guarded by intelligent constructs that make the werewolves we just faced look like labotomy patients...whats to opppose?...lol...

[Gumblackwood]

If anyone is questioning the historical accuracy of coffee in a world where the Europeans have not been able to explore the new world, I can assure you that Hungarian coffee, as with most mediterranean coffees, is actually made from mud. :)

[$tormin]

Well with Dani's smoking I am just going with the idea that the first explorations and few subsequent trade trips since have brought back things like tobacco seeds and the like so such products are available in Europe but are horribly expensive.

[Soria]

Opps... Didn't think about that.. sorry.

[jep'ray]

time line wise coffee and tobaco and chocolate are avalable from the new world...but its reserve for royalty and very very expensive, of course thers the black market for such goods...

[$tormin]

time line wise coffee and tobacco and chocolate are available from the new world...but its reserve for royalty and very very expensive, of course theirs the black market for such goods...

In this time line though, as I mentioned before, the new world didn't get fully exploited and when Da Vinci popped out and did the empire building thing, the New World was pretty much abandoned. When Europeans returned it turned out that the natives had enough time to prepare and learn so there was no large scale conquest.
There is still limited trade though, but no huge settlements putting out large amounts of goods.

[jep'ray]

hey, can i have a large bore long rifle with some nice Minnie bullets...it would be a high kill weapon, and im proficent in longrifles...um, mine got bent my a werewolf...need some guns with some kinda punch in them...although i am afraid somehting as big as what im asking for will knock me on my butt...but the price i pay for a big gun...um, do we have access to minie balls...they were used in the civil war...Designed by a french officer in 1848...allows for higher accuracy and range...

[$tormin]

I am sure your employer knows of your situation and will provide support enough to complete the mission he assigns.

[Gumblackwood]

Edited Antonii's character to include demolitions. Alpine pilots were originally only trained in flight and demolitions, raining fire and explosions from the sky, but it was a distasteful tactic by Antonii's standards and he worked hard to establish the medevac corps. He doesn't mind using explosive force so much when confined to the ground and able to face his enemy.

[Gumblackwood]

Way to go Jep'ray for making me imagine puppy dog eyes.

[jep'ray]

*bow* thank you, thank you...