Posted.

Day 2, Whitefall - Necessity, Rocinante, 11:00 AM PT 

Stephanie sat upright in the chair of the kitchen and ate the egg and bacon sandwich that Ma had made her with a knife and fork.  She has insisted on checking in with Chloe first and telling her about the meeting with Petrie first. Afterwards she joined everyone in the galley, “So, I knew that there would be little chance that I would be able to talk to Petrie. But I thought if I could ghet a quick word into his ear, he might meet us somewhere or at least be open to communication. This is really quite lovely, Trish – Thank you very much."

Ma nodded her appreciation and made a rolling hand gesture of “keep going.”

“So when I reached Petrie and got hold of him, I realized he was injured. So I came up with a plan quickly to use that as a cover ….”

“How? How did you know?” Sam asks.

“Oh. Umm...” Stephanie stares blankly at Sam for a few seconds and said, “The stoop of his back and the way he was sitting revealed he was in pain and bracing himself. When I touched his arm, I culd see the seepage of his wounds through bandages. As a doctor, you sorta notice these things and make deductions based on that.” She explains in a rather dismissive tone, almost as if she thought you wouldn’t believe her. “Anyway, there was this time on my last ship when one of the captains ex girlfriends had us at gunpoint and threatening the ship, so I used my hypo-spray to tranquilize her.  In this case, I slipped a Fentanopryl patch into my hand and applied it to Petrie’s arm. It worked instantly and he went down so I could intercede as a doctor.”

“You drugged him?” Asher asked incredulously.

“Yes.” She looks perplexed, “Really it is difficult to tell a story without my motives and techniques being questioned every few minutes.”

(Comments)

“”Very well.” She said with a hand wave, “So I knocked him out, made it look like an emergency and I needed to assist him alone. I was afraid that the doctor in town might be on the payroll of Patience and I would have to deal with him or her as well, but luckily he wasn’t and for the exchange of a dermal mender that I have extras of anyway, we came to an accord.  Really, the Alliance should do something about that. These outer planet doctors are suppose to be part of the same medical board and societies as the core planets and they need decent equipment. I will have to bring that up at the next board meeting. The cost of a basic operation set is nothing compared to the ….”

Someone clears their throat pointedly

“Oh yes. Sorry. So once I had Petrie alone we talked. He does love Chloe and he hates this place and his father and wishes to run away. Unfortunately, he is scared of his father, Patience and the great unknown of the ‘Verse. However, I gave him my ear-mike so he can communicate with us discretely and we can arrange for him to meet us when we – what do you call it? – make the drop tonight?  Do the Job? Lift the goods? Really, they say we doctors use confusing jargon. When we assemble our new client and leave this planet?”

(Assuming someone asks how you know P is telling the truth)

“I have been a doctor for many years. I have had people tell me their Mistress are their wife or their daughter. I have had many lies spun around me addressing the moral situation when all I care about is the injury. I know when someone is lying to me and Petrie wasn’t. He is scared. He is terrified of making a move against his father. He is even more scared of Patience. But he does love Clhoe and does want to do right by her. Whatever that may be in the end.”

(Other questions, comments or thoughts. Grand schemes, small plans)

Day 2, Whitefall – The Warehouse outside of Necessity, 9:00 PM PT

(Assuming everyone except Stephanie and Ma are going)

The Spaceport was due north of Necessity as was Eagle-eye’s ranch. The the east was the stockyards were the cattle was displayed, traded and sold. Due south was “the Warehouse”. The Warehouse was a building build back in the day when Whitefall was being terraformed. It is was where all the heavy equipment went to stay dry and contained during the rainy part of terraforming.  It is a huge building, all metal frame with the foundation driven 10 feet deep into the ground.  The roof is industrial steel about 100 feet above and the bay doors to the place are big enough to let Rocinante in and have room for two friends.

When you arrive, the Warehouse is set up like a carnival. There are all sorts of food vendors, drink vendors and those carnival type games like knock over the milk cans and ring the bottle. There are jugglers, magicians and clowns. Some storage crates have been brought in for businesses to open up little shops selling clothing and trinkets.  The Honeydew even has a double storage crate set up for … express service. The air smells of popcorn, grease and smoked meats. The “Main” bet placement area is surprising non-busy with only one name down to fight Black Bart at the moment – Dawes man – Jacob.

The main ring is the highlight of the event, set up on a platform so it is above the main ground but not high enough that people can not see the fight. Lights set up to illuminate it well, and screens going up so those who can’t get close can see the battle. It has a large open area around it for the crowd to gather and then in the four corners of the Warehouse, there are smaller rings set up for other side fights for the hands that don’t want to fight Bart. The betting on these fights seems less “controlled” with many different bookies available with mostly similar odds.

It is very busy and there seems to be more people coming from all around.

“You want me to put you on the board?” Eagle asks Wolf, “Or do you want to hold off and do the surprise challenge thing. Up to you. If you go up now, people gonna be curious, wanna check you out – including Patience. ”

Really I am stll around, just so much going on. Sigh.

There is no real reason to wait on Sam for a post, as not much to say or do. I will post today or tomorrow to move game forward. However I am concerned that I may have lost Robert as a player.

Ody - Rocinante before Star Trek Love Boat Edition!!!!!!!!

I wanted to get past the point where the Doctor was the main chracter but I had to get through it. On line gaming can be railroading enough without me being the player and GM.

So .... My intentions are to start the next post with the day had become night, the fight is going ahead and the job is a go. Focus on the players and not the NPC.

I have posted

Whitefall - Necessity, The Doctor’s Office, 10:15 AM PT

The waiting room was that same as any other out of the way doctor office that Asher had ever visited. He nearly expected to see Doc McGuire come walking to greet him. A very pretty young lady with brown hair was busy packing things into her purse, when she looked up at Asher. “Oh! You can’t see the doctor right now. You best be off, come by later. Even I have been told to go home.”

“Yes’um, I was just supposed to pick sumpthin up. Won’t take but a minute.”

“Well don’t be here when her Governship comes back. She’s already sore about the Lady Doctor taking over and talking down to her.  I’m going home now, you best do so too.” and with that she heads for the door in a hurry.

There are two doors in the room, one being open to an examining room and another being closed and from within Asher can hear Dr. Young chiding someone for not keeping up with the times in the medical practice.

There were sounds outside and footsteps on the steps outside. The men were coming back and at least two of them were heading into the office.

It wouldn’t go well to have them Governor’s lackies knowing Ash was here and it factually it would be better for Doc them thinking she was on her own. Following Stephanie’s voice Ash opened the door and quickly stepped in. When he turned to look around, Asher was … slightly surprised. There was Doctor Young sitting beside an older doctor, the two of them drinking tea. “Dr Young! This is my office and I will not be pushed around!” the older man shouted and the two of them suppressed giggles under their hands before noticing that Asher was standing there. Stephanie looked over, “I told you to get back to the boat and let Captain Sung know I’d be delayed. I don’t need a baby sitter, Mr Talhone.” She said and got up, handing a device she had in her hand to the other doctor, “So here you go as we agreed. If we can arrange it, I can drop off more equipment. It is really no bother, I get samples every times I go into a hospital.”

“Thank you Doctor, but this is truly generous of you.” The Older doctor replied, “For the chance to pull the wool over Patience eyes, I would have helped you for free.”

“Well that being the case, I am glad to help, and thank you Doctor Amber.”  Stephanie said and then turned back to Asher, “Shall we go?”

(Assuming what about Petrie? Armed men in other room?)

“Petrie is fine, I will explain on the way back home. He has my ear piece so we can communicate later. Really Mr. Talhone, I have spent time on ship before, I am familiar with subterfuge.”

(Some comment)

Stephanie left the room with Ash behind her. There were two armed men in the waiting room who both stood up when Dr. Young entered the room. They looked over at Asher with a surprised look and then back to the Doctor.

“The patient is on the mend and my work here is done. Thank you gentlemen for waiting on him like a good group of friends. He should be right as rain in no time.” Stephaine said out loud in a tone of dismissal. “We will be off now.”

“Whoa!” The tallest of the two said, “Umm, our orders are to keep you here until the Governor gets back. Who is this guy anyway? So …”

“No.” Stephaine said firmly, “If your leader wished to talk to me she knows where to find me and I am much too busy to hang around some backwater butcher shack with young men who can not think without a gun in hand. I mean really? An 8 inch barrel? It screams compensation. As to who this man is – He is Asher Talhone. You may have heard about him from the news recently. Held his ground against a thousand mercenaries on LV 426? Lived to tell the tale but not many of them did? Ringing a bell?”

The shortest of the men dropped his pistol. He scrabbled to pick it up again.

“So right now Ash is humouring you, but unless you want to get on his bad side, I’d do what he says. I’m not saying he’s mad but he doesn’t want to be here and he doesn’t like babysitting me so he might be looking to kill someone right now. “

The room became really quiet as the two men looked at each other and back to Asher.

(comment? Threat?)

The two men stepped out of your way and let the two leave the office. The guards outside started to move forward but the tall one waved them off with a scared look in his eyes.

“Now, Mr. Talhone, Where is our ride?”

(reply)

Day 2, Whitefall - Necessity, Rocinante, 10:25 AM PT

Wyatt, Sam, and Wolf came into Necessity via the mule, moving quickly but trying not to look like they were about to shoot up the town. As they got into town, they found Asher and Dr. Young walking down the street as if nothing unusual had happen. Just like a morning stroll in a town with no armed men chasing them or anything.

“Oh good!” the Doctor called out, “Thank you for coming, Captain. I wasn’t looking forward to the walk back to the ship.  On the plus side, I can let you all in on what is happening with having to repeat myself over and over. Does anyone have any food? I’m starving.” She says as she climbs into the mule. Looking at the stares she is getting, “What? I did not eat breakfast.”

Vorpal blade vs Light saber? No one going snicker snack in this comic,

Master of the Blade

You had placed Fenris in the Kitchen/common room in your last post. So you would have been there when the discussions happen, also heard the thump and unless Wyatt hauls Hewlett int oa corner to discuss things privately, I would assume you'd be in the cargo bay when H told everyone the news. Heck, I would imagine that Fenris would be the one to answer the door but I don't like hauling your character around and saying what they are doing.

I am looking for reaction to the news and what Asher is gonna do in the Doctor's office. I want to complete this day as soon as I can so I can get back into the story that involves all the active players. You are all experienced enough to know that jumping into the mule and having an armed stand off with Patience's deputies to rescue the Doctor from rescuing Petrie is not a good course of action. Keep in mind, my intention as a GM is to wrap this story line up quickly.

Day 2, Whitefall - Necessity, Rocinante, 10:00 AM PT

“So, we gonna talk ‘bout this job, now, er we gonna get chores an’ s#!t outta th’ way first?” Not waiting for an immediate answer, his eyes fix on Wyatt; “Cap, I got some plans an’ back-up plans laid out on m’ console if’n ya wanna take a gander…”

“I ‘ppreciate it, Sam,” Sung acknowledges and shifts in his chair at the head of the table as he gently sets his mug down. “First, I’m playin’ with an idea that could use y’all’s input. I already ran this past the Gentleman Dash, here, so he’s got a leg up on the rest o’ ya as far as thinkin’ on it, but the more minds we put to it, the more likely we’ll come to a good conclusion. So, here it is…

“Young Miss Chloe has revealed who her child’s father is,” Wyatt meets each of those who are present’s eye as he continues. “She’d like fer him t’ join her on this new leg o’ her life an’ be the father to her child, but it ain’t as easy as us jus’ takin’ on another passenger. Her beau is a rather prominent figure on Whitefall. It jus’ so happens that he’s the preacher’s son, Petrie Tubbs.

“From what I gather, Petrie’s father, Reverend Tubbs, is in tight with Patience. So, we go cartin’ off the Reverend’s son and we’re likely drawing attention from one of the Rim’s most prominent warlords makin’ our lives difficult an’ dangerous. ‘Course, this could also help us with that black cloud hangin’ o’er our heads since the gorram Lián méng started bein’ all friendly-like with us. Puts us back on the side o’ things where we make our bread an’ butter… kinda.

“Anyway, Sam suggested we kill the poor kid an’ while I was mildly amused with the idea at first the more I pondered, the more I think his idea has mettle. The problems, as I sees it, is that we got less than half a day t’ make it happen, we gotta convince folks hereabouts that Petrie is, in fact, dead, an’ we gotta do so in a way that leaves no body t’ inspect. And, it’d be a bonus if we could conjure up a way t’ put the blame on someone else that’d help those like Eagle Eye in their politics with Patience.”

Leveling his gaze directly at each of his crew—his family—Wyatt asks, “Ideas?”

So the conversation began with everyone who was there chiming in on the possibility of sneaking the young Petrie of the planet and sneaking him out with Chloe.

“Cap’n are ya sure the kid wants this too?”

“We got jus’ a sniff more’n twelve hours ‘fore we burn atmo… We kill this Petrie kid an’ we gotta do it quick an’ ugly…”

“Need to talk to Doctor to see if it is even possible”

“Be even better if we could pin it all on Patience and her people somehow. Again maybe getting Eagle Eye involved in this would be a good thing”

Around and around it went, but the constant reminder of it not being easy to fake a death without the person in question being part of the plan.  Breakfast is served, you eat and discuss and then clean up the dishes and still discuss when you realize that you haven’t heard from Asher and the Doc for awhile.

*Thump* *Thump* *Thump* comes the heavy metal knocking of someone at the cargo bay door.  Sam frowns and runs to the cockpit to check the camera to see an older man staying there, grey hair, short cut, clean shaven. He holds his firearm up dangling on his index finger before the camera – clearly denoting he means no harm. He says “You got audio on that? I’m Captain Hewlett Stewart of Morgan Creek. I’m here on behalf of a young man named Asher Talhone. Got a message for Captain Wyatt Sung.”

(assuming someone goes to answer the door)

The Captain waits outside the door of the cargo bay patiently. When the door opens he offers his gun and magazine in separate hands and then holds up his arms so he can be patted down,  “No problem, it is what’d I would do.”

(assuming you let him in with or without the pat down and is brought to Wyatt)

“Captain Sung.” Hewlett nods a greeting to Wyatt, “Nice to meet you. I won’t waste your time. Seems your Doctor Young has gotten herself into a situation involving a young man with injuries. Petrie Tubbs? Anyway, she is doctoring the boy in the offices of a Dr. Amber’s office in town – he was the closest doc with an operating room. She caused a bit of a stir, in the church of all places. Drew a lot of attention to herself in the process.”

(assuming some questions or commentary)

Well the Governor is got the doctor’s office held tight, yes, Patience, that Governor, and your man Asher is there as well. He won’t leave her behind despite her telling him to, seems to believe she needs protecting. Might be right too, hard to say. I get the feeling people around here don’t see many people stand up to Patience and they liked the first act.

(why are you helping out)

“Asher did my crewmember a … favour last night so I wanted to return the gesture.  My man was drunk, looking for a fight and Asher could have laid him down hard, but he didn’t. Right honourable man you got there. Anything else I can do for ya?”

(what was happening there last you saw)

“Patience has four men around the office and two within. Her and the Rev were in for awhile but left as I did looking none to happy. I get the impression your Doctor doesn’t really care who she makes friends with. Asher had made his way inside the office as I left.  One against six, I don’t like them odds but he didn’t look worried. Oh! Asher said the Doc had her ear comm in but I also heard Patience tell one of her men to block all comms.”

(If you wish to ask more you can. Otherwise he will leave you alone)

“Listen, “Hewlett says as he is leaving. “We are on channel 1742, be here until late tonight. If you need anything, give me a call. I can’t stand by and watch a good man stand alone.”

Day 2, Whitefall - Necessity, The Doctor’s Office, 10:00 AM PT

Asher looked at the Doctor’s office and saw the four men surrounding the building and more out front with Patience and Tubbs. He was worried for a moment but then the Governor called her four men over to talk to them. Taking the opportunity that presented itself, Asher swiftly moved into the building.

The waiting room was that same as any other out of the way doctor office that Asher had ever visited. A very pretty young lady with brown hair was busy packing things into her purse, when she looked up at Asher. “Oh! You can’t see the doctor right now. You best be off, come by later. Even I have been told to go home.”

(assuming some sort of answer)

“Well don’t be here when her Governship comes back. She’s already sore about the Lady Doctor taking over and talking down to her.  I’m going home now, you best do so too.” and with that she heads for the door in a hurry.”

There are two doors in the room, one being open to and examining room and another being closed and from within Asher can hear Dr. Young chiding someone for not keeping up with the times in the medical practice.

There were sounds outside and footsteps on the steps outside. The men were coming back and at least two of them were heading into the office.

Continuing the saga..

High School Reunion IV

A New Webcomic is posted.  

http://www.rdinn.net/mbcomic.php?comicid=229

i said 1st level Ody! Who do you think I am? Olan “Sudden Death” Suddeth? 

Not bad. Although will new players get the nuances of a Rust Monster?.

Ist level module, intoducing new players to the game. I need a monster to have made an underground lair outside the door to an ancient temple, something not intelligent, nor humanoid. Something other than spiders as I have been doing spiders to death lately. I have the MM but nothing is jumping out at me (pun intended). Any ideas?.

That should be Waylend Gayner and Niska. Bad copy and paste

Day 2, Whitefall - Necessity, The Church, 9:40 AM PT

Stephanie ran ahead of Ash as he attempted to get through the crowd. There were two types of people at the end of a sermon, those who wanted to get out fast, and those that wanted to hang around and make a social event out of it. Both groups were in the young man’s way. He kept losing sight of the Doctor but he knew where he was going. By the time he started to get near the front of the church, he hears several gasps of shock and perhaps fear.

Asher cleared the crowd to see Stephanie kneeling before Petrie who seemed to have collapsed. Stephanie had her hands on his arm and shoulder and her eyes seemed to be unfocused.

Reverend Tubbs pushed his way through the crowd, “What’s going on? Petrie! Get up boy!”

“He can’t.” the Doctor replied, “He has multiple external lacerations on his back and lower regions that have hemorrhaged internally. He has lost a lot of blood, he needs to get to a hospital.”

“Excuse me little lady, but my son just needs to man up a bit. Now leave him to…”

“Your son will be dead if you keep arguing with me, your very stupid man. I am Dr. Stephanie Young and I am a medical doctor.”

A murmur rustles through the crowd and Asher hears more than a few recognize the name.

“Now listen her …”

Stephanie was opening up her doctor’s pack and pulling thing out. She pointed at people in the crowd and barked orders, “You! Get me a board or something to slip under him, tabletop, whatever. You, I need fresh bandages, linens, sheets, whatever! You! I need as much ice as you can find,” people ran off in multiple directions. “Is there a medical facility near by?”

“Doctor Amber. Down the street.” Someone called out. “He ain’t no surgeon though.”

“Well I am. Ariel Medical Board Certified, I just need to borrow Dr. Amber’s theatre.”

A short ugly woman with a big hat pushed herself into the fray. “Now hold on just a dang second Miss Young.  We don’t need outsiders coming in and telling us what to do with our own. You just mind your own and we’ll mind ours.” She said with a commanding air.

Stephanie turned Petrie over and torn open his shirt, revealing a mass of ling stripe wounds on the back that had soaked through the bandage already in them. “Doctor Young if you please. I didn’t graduate top of my class to be talk down to by idiots and morons.”

The crowd gasped loudly.

“Do you know who I am!?!?” The woman stammered through clenched teeth. Four men with deputy badges moved up quickly beside her.

“By Buddha!” Stephanie exclaimed as she sniffed the bandages, “Salt? Are you completely mad?” She glanced up at the woman and rolled her eyes dismissively, “Yes yes yes. Patience. Imogen. Governor or some such silliness. Listen, you want to have your flunkies shoot me while I am trying to save a man’s life in front of all these constituents of your, be my guest. But I need a mode of transport to get this man to the doctor’s now!!!” And not a gorram horse!”

Patience looked at Stephanie, then looked at the crowd watching. She made a swishing motion with her mouth and then said, “Huey, get the car out front quick.” One of the deputies took off at a run. She kneeled down to where Stephanie was cleaning wounds and using her dermal regenerator. “When he is all stable, you and me gonna have a few words.’

“Yes, you are very scary and intimidating.” Stephanie said distractedly with a dismissive wave of her hand as she applied ice to the wounds on the back gingerly. “You can have as many words as you want when I’m done, now out of my way or make yourself useful.”

The man showed up with a foldable table, “Is this good?”

Stephanie nodded, “Okay, you gentlemen want to be useful or are you all playing with your guns?” The deputies stood there for a moment and then moved with a start to help lift the young man onto the table and move him to the door. The doctor quickly ran over the Asher, “Tell the Captain what’s happen. I’ll keep in touch as best I can.” She says with a tap to one ear. “My previous captain never let me leave home without it.”

She ran to the door and followed her patient out alongside Reverend Tubbs and Governor Imogen Patience, neither looking all that pleased.

“Wow!” A women said behind Asher, “She’s my new hero.”

“She already is a hero. Stephanie Young? She was in the war, would let either side tell her who was more important based on rank or side. Made a big stand on the Vids and the uppity ups had to back down.”

“Really? Still, her Governor-ship ain’t gonna let being made a fool of in front of a crowd go unpaid.”

Asher stood there for a moment wondering if he should follow behind or go tell the captain. He knew what those wounds meant, the young man had seen them before back on his home world. ‭Waylend Gayner and Adelei Niska would have people who stood up to them tied to a post and whipped. Petrie had been whipped within an inch of his life and then made to wear bandages soaked in salt. Not a memory that Asher cared to relive.

A voice of a man spoke behind him, “Need a lift?”

He turned to see Hewlett Stewart standing there with a bemused grin, “Not far outta of my way if you be in a hurry.”

Soas someone who is a Lost in space virgin,is it good?

I know I am late for the next post but I am having trouble figuring out a way to move the story along without completely railroading the party. The NPC Doctor is a bit of an issue in the adventure.

This week continues the adventure of Floyd Hobart and the Reunion of the High School. this week, Floyd meets an old ... friend.

High School Reunion III

Please let us know what yuou think.

Ladies and gentlemen, I hereby proudly announce a new episode of RPG Myth Breakers is up.

Today Alacrity and Bromern look at resurrection and the limits of how much body you need.

Check out today's comic Raise a Hand

Please be sure to let Bromern and I know what you think!

My major quibble with 5e is it needed a better editor. Some sections I have read 4-5 times and still do not understand what they mean. 

If you note, I was the person that wrote the "postive" review of both the Basic edition and Starter kit. 

Thing is, I have not played tabletop D&D since 2014 when the party of friends I had refused to listen to my pleas that I could not handle creating huge campaigns with multiple stories and being a father of a autistic child at the same time. I quit D&D at the time because I felt I had no option and the friends,  some since high school, other since university, all abandoned me.

Things are better now with Will, and I want to game again. I found a roup threough Meetup and we shall see how it goes, but these are a wide range of age people so they are mopstly 5e players. Some are so young they don;t even know what Tomb of Horrors is.

So I am trying new things. I guess that does call for Bromern's cry of "who are you and what have you done with Roger?" I do not know how this will go. But if I don't try, I end up staying at home, reading rule systems and wishing I could play.

I like 5e so far. There is a lot of merit to the rules taht are more 2e and 3e than anything else. Some sections are very poorly written though so if you are a 5e player (Ody and Tann) I may ask you questions as to how your group figured out a section.

By Rocinante will continue to be my love.

BTW - I am working on a system to incoprate an "Altered Carbon Game" via the cortex rules. As well, Green Ronin is supposedly bringing out a RPG for "The Expanse" in which I am very interested.