Continue here please.

I've kind of lost track of the heavy weapons coming back.  I think one is the Charlie G.  Is the GPMG also available?  Fischer's going to grab something and the PKM would be his first choice against what we are facing, unless someone is already planning to use it.

I may have missed it, but has anyone contacted our ride yet?

-

Yes, Ferro did and transmitted that they'd be delayed.

In reply to Lukas Fischer (msg # 2):

Brought back:

GPMG (used by Lines)
84mm (no user)
AGS-17 (no user / not working well)

Both clearings separating the shantytown from the treeline are about 100m wide.


This message was last edited by the GM at 01:44, Tue 06 Feb 2018.

And the bad guys (we still don't know who they are, right?) are coming from the SE? That would be bottom, right in the image?

-

The newest map isn't orientated north, so the bottom is actually southwest... but the bottom is the direction the enemy are coming from. Sorry about the confusion, but using a top to bottom shoreline made drawing it a lot easier than everything rotated 45 degrees.



Using this map below, which is properly oriented north, I've shown the enemy advance with a red arrow.

The ongoing gunfire with Monolith's "missing" squad is occurring somewhere on the extreme right hand side of the map, marked by the ???.

I've also given approximate locations of the 3 Mad Dogs and 3 Monolith squads.

Hope that helps clear things up.

Thanks, Fuse. That helps a lot.

@All: Should someone or two man the bunker Varis cleared earlier at the southwest corner of the shanty. We don't want them to flank us and move through the shanty towards the beach like we did to the pirates. I'm thinking that, if there's going to be a fight (and it looks increasingly likely that there is) that we should pull Per and Janacek from watching the smoking, drifting trawler and have them man the line facing the approach of the [known] large land force.

-

Thats not a bad idea, I could man that bunker.

Rae, I've suggested a perch for Per and Lines but feel free to go where you think best. It seemed like a good location to cover the retreat from the southern bunker and still give you some height and cover.

Sorry, meant to cover this in the IC post but forgot - Walsh now has a radio and I'm 99% sure Price does as well.

I think it can be a good spot if the thing still has some hatches he can prop up for partial cover.

Fuse?

-

Yes it still has hatches.

How many firing ports are there to the front of the bunker we're in? Can all of us fire without impeding each other?

Only two facing the fields, each one capable of being used by one shooter.

Another one facing each 90 degree flank, also for one person only.

Also, like I mentioned in the turn, they are lacking a lot of improvements you'd see with professionally made bunkers, like grenade sumps, chicken wire covering the ports, etc... and they'd be better sited to give mutual support. Think of these as better than nothing quality.

Hey all,

I'm going to be out of town starting in about an hour for a week or so. I'll still have internet, but my posting will be reduced, so this turn will be delayed. I'm hoping to get it up tomorrow, but not sure how it'll be.

In reply to Fusilier (msg # 18):

This feels like the sort of cliffhanger you get at the end of a season of a TV show...!

Did anyone take the claymore from Frank?

I had a thought about mines myself.

If someone is taking Frank's Claymore i need to know asap. Whoever is setting it up needs at least a 0 in Combat Engineer.

In reply to Fusilier (msg # 22):

I didn’t have Walsh take it because I thought it was in his rucksack and it was confirmed we weren’t bringing rucksacks ashore

I cleared that up with Fuse in a PM.  It's available...

Turn is up.

The Marians were with our mortar team if I remember correctly? Is this still the case?

In reply to John Jameson McCarthy (msg # 26):

I believe that would be correct to the best of anyone at the shanty's IC knowledge.

I think Andropov would have gleaned enough from the various radio transmissions to know that they were in trouble.

A bit busy today will post this turn tonight.

Can I just check if O'Brien and Lines are in the same bunker as Andropov and Stark?

No, separate bunkers.

Tosh and O'Brien are in the northern bunker, north of the rock/logs and the only Mad Dogs watching the northern treeline.

Andropov and Stark are in the bunker close to the M113 ambulance, the one that Varis took out with a grenade early on during the assault.

In reply to Fusilier (msg # 30):

Thanks. I've edited my radio traffic accordingly.

I'm still out of town if anyone is wondering about the downtime. Will be so until Sunday.

Hi, I am back online after having to pull teeth to get an install date and a technician to do it. Catching up now.

Turn is up. Sorry about the lengthy delay. My time out lasted a little longer than I anticipated, but I'm back home and on the usual grind now.

Long turn post, lots of things happening, so I'll try to get a map up soon to help illustrate things.

Welcome back

Welcome back Fuse

Good to have you back, Fuse.

Does Per have LOS to the flanking groups to the south? He shot the one guy, but I don't want to assume that he can see them all.

-

Thanks.

Sorry, this map is going to have to do for now. I know it lacks detail, but hopefully does the job.

1) Shoreside bunker [Ferro]
2) Rocks/Log piles, M113, & CCP [Riedel, Frank, McCarthy, PoW, wounded, Janacek & Stal Gdansk]
3) Northern bunker [O'Brien & Lines]
4) "Rescue" [Varis, Price, Walsh, Bodyguard]
5) Pursuit [Kessler, Lukasz, skinny dude & wounded sniper]
6) M113 Ambulance [Kolstrup]
7) South Bunker [Andropov & Stark]
8) Monolith & northern treeline firfight
9) First group of flankers (x5)
10) Second group of flankers (x7)

Some distances...
Kessler & Co. to clearing = about 15-25m
Rescue to treeline or shantyown = 50m either way
Kolstrup to flankers = about 200-250m
Andropov/Stark to flankers = about 200
Billy & Lines to firefight = about 300? (can't actually see it)
The clearcuts are both 100m wide

Re:Kolstrup, he can see some of the flankers, but not all. So he can shoot this turn. He'll lose sight of them entirely once they reach the barrier area due to a couple shacks blocking LOS.

Re:Andropov/Stark the flankers are quickly moving out of the arcs of view provided by the front facing "windows" in the bunker. Keep that in mind if you decide to shoot from them. The longer you wait the greater the chance you may miss the opportunity to actually fire. There is ONE side port.


This message was last edited by the GM at 00:57, Tue 20 Feb 2018.

@Rae, Spartan, I’m thinking we all fall back towards the shanty together, collecting Walsh on the way. We’ll keep watching the rear as we go and if it looks like we’re going to come under fire we go to ground where we are and open fire. I also have several smoke grenades so can pop them if needed.

Does that sound OK or is there another way you want to try? I thought about leaps and bounds but that means some people hanging back in the treeline for a bit which could be risky.

My plan was for Charlie to throw a frag into the woods once Kessler passed Price's position, to help discourage enemy pursuit, then immediately hotel alpha through Charlie's smoke (which is closer to the woods than to our friendly positions) to get some concealment, and run run run back to friendly lines.

I think going prone in open ground against the incoming force has to be a very last resort.   Once the enemy forces assemble at the edge of the tree line, life is going to suck for anyone out in the open.

And too much deployed smoke will come back to bite us in the defense, when we want clear fields of fire against their advance.  Getting back to the shanty's ASAP is our best option.  Once Ferro et al. see Charlie, Kessler, Varis and Walsh on the near side of the smoke, they can open up with covering fire to help cover the retreat and further slow the big red arrow's advance.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:16, Thu 22 Feb 2018.

In reply to Charles 'Charlie' Price (msg # 40):

That sounds good to me. I was going to have Varis take a knee and put some rounds downrange into the brush. I wouldn't mind popping another smoke right inside the treeline. It'll obsure our retreat but, since the enemy will have to move through it and into the open field to give chase, it shouldn't interfere with our allies' LOS and fire. I'm cool with not, though, too.

-

Smoke in the woods is a good idea.  Might force them to slow their movement, still keeps our field of fire open, might cause them some disorganization depending on how effective their command/control and coordination is.

I'd love to have a WP grenade for this, as its damage radius, smoke generation, and chance to set wood on fire, would be helpful to break contact.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 19:40, Thu 22 Feb 2018.

Willie Pete is the shiz for breaking contact. Unfortunately, Varis doesn't have one.

-

Thanks guys. If either of you want to toss a smoke grenade and don't have one Kessler has two (1 x violet, 1 x red) so feel free to assume he'll hand one over if asked.

Just a reminder/clarification about "running" back to the shanty. The LoSA have an immobilized guy with a gunshot wound. He's currently being carried by two guys in this fashion (http://www.medtrng.com/cls/Image191.gif) and they aren't able to run.

https://quotefancy.com/media/w...than-the-bear-to.jpg

PS:  I'll give them cover fire and if that's not enough, then I'll send flowers.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:42, Thu 22 Feb 2018.

In reply to Charles 'Charlie' Price (msg # 46):

Hey, I'm the guy next to you!

Corkman

I missed or forgot your post that came before the last GM post. Setting up to provide Sabine security is perfect. Good call.

No worries!

Turn is up.

I had to skim over some things and might have missed other parts due to running out of time.

Tomorrow I'll try to get a new map up. If there's something critical I missed let me know.

Also, ensure your ammunition/sheets are updated.

Updated map.

I forgot to mention, but Kolstrup and Fischer would know that there are still couple monolith guys hanging around the heated shack occupied by the sick prisoners.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:29, Tue 27 Feb 2018.

Could someone remind me - are we using any IFF system with Monolith?  Arm bands, etc?   Thanks in advance.

Yes, all friendlies have a red arm band.

Except Stark.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:29, Tue 27 Feb 2018.

lol.. yep, you got my reason for asking right then.

In reply to Fusilier (msg # 54):

Don't shoot!! ;)

Hey folks, ever wonder what's going on in Korea during T2K? If so, have I got something for you!

http://www.drivethrurpg.com/pr...Sourcebook?src=fp_u5

-

Sheesh Rae, just take my damn money...

Just shut up and take my money!!

LOL!  What he said!

Rae, I think Per would be best staying on the M113 and maintaining an overview of the situation. It might not be the most fun though. Do you want to stay there or have McCarthy get you to join the attack on the flankers?

Also, others.

Should I:

1) Ask some of those by Kessler to join the southern bunkers (one for each)?
2) Try and contact Monolith again to see if they can set up northern defences?

Apart from those elements, I intend to lead the group I have to hit the flankers. I'll let Andropov's bunker know we're coming in case of Carl Gustav related blastings.

Is everyone OK with that?

The southern flank seems to be at the point where it's calmed down a bit, which may translate to relative inactivity for those involved but if we start pulling people away from the berm that might put us in a position where the enemy work out that the volume of fire has slackened off and decide to mount a charge.

To be honest, I'm kind of stuck here - I don't want anyone to feel sidelined but I'm not sure how to combine player agency with sustaining a realistic all round defence.

I'm fine with whatever. Boat is inbound so we're probably going to start the evac soon any way.

I agree.

-

I'm just worried about our flank. The enemy are already reinforcing the inflitrators. As long as we send somebody- I'm cool if it if my PC isn't included.

-

If Billy is needed elsewhere I am happy for him to move.

I'm already moving three Mad Dogs and three LOS down to contact with the flankers. I'm hoping that will be enough with the three men we already have there. I'm worried that if we send any more, there won't be enough troops on the line to cover any attack from the south. At the moment we may have just enough.

In reply to John Jameson McCarthy (msg # 68):

Sounds good. Thanks.

-

Aologies for the delay, I will have my post up tonight or tomorrow morning.

@Fuse, are Monolith going to be covering any sectors during our withdrawal?

@All, clearly we have to presume that as we move out the enemy may start trying to move in. Does anyone have any suggestions as to the best way to stage our withdrawal so that we cover the perimeter for as long as possible? I was thinking get the wounded aboard first. Then those in the south could consolidate on the west bunker then move towards the M113 anchor in leaps and bounds. Once we're there north bunker joins us. Then more leaps and bounds until everyone is on the boat. But if you want to do it another / better way just shout.

In reply to Michael Kessler (msg # 71):

Last they heard they were just to withdraw through the Mad Dogs.

Once the wounded are back, Monolith can withdraw through us and form a line at the beach. Once that's done we'll fall back to the beach and Monolith can load up. Then we will.

Before I issue an order, I'm going to need volunteers to help the sick prisoners back to the beach. We can't leave them to potential torture and they might not be able to move themselves. I know that will leave people liable to possible infection so I won't order anyone yet. If no-one else wants to risk it, JJ and Tom will do the job but ferrying five non-ambulatory patient to the shore with two people will take time.

I propose putting them in an open boat and towing them to Gdansk. We'll need volunteers to loan warm gear to help them survive. Also, to avoid potential contamination, anyone who helps JJ and Tom with the transfer will need to ride the boat, at least until the Marians with Cassidy link up with us and get a chance to check them out.

We also need to sort out the trawler. I suggest we pull up alongside it with all our hardware: AGS, LAWS and Carl Gustav (They don't know we're having problems with the AGS and we're out of CG rounds). We tell them to accept boarding or be blasted.

What do people think

In reply to John Jameson McCarthy (msg # 73):

Sounds good I would offer Billy to help, but I think his MG will be needed in other areas. As for the trawler that is a good idea.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:54, Tue 13 Mar 2018.

Could any of the MU gunboats take up a position to be able to fire across the open field from just off the beach? If so, that could discourage an assault.

Other than that, if someone has some 40mm CS, we could drop some just short of the treeline. That might discourage the enemy from assaulting across the field while we're pulling out.

If neither of those are options, we'll just have to try to support one another the best we can during a phased withdrawal.

-

I'm not sure that Frank can help?

This message was deleted by the player at 08:00, Wed 14 Mar 2018.

In reply to Varis Babicevs (msg # 75):

I could be wrong, but I don’t think fire support from any of the boats is an option. That’s what I was getting at with the IC exchange between Walsh, Ferro, and Price earlier – I’d hoped that we’d be able to get a gunboat to sit offshore and put direct fire on the forest but I took the fact that only one boat was coming to pick us up to mean that wasn’t an option.

Kessler has no 40mm CS. Czerny or Kryzs the Polish grenadier may have some but Fuse would need to confirm that. I’m presuming most of the militia have no gas masks though so we’d need to be mindful of the wind direction if we did deploy gas.

---

In reply to John Jameson McCarthy (msg # 73):

Sorry, but I’m not volunteering any of my characters to help move the prisoners. Trawler plan looks sound.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:57, Wed 14 Mar 2018.

Jancek and Kryzs have no CS.

In reply to Michael Kessler (msg # 78):

That's absolutely fine. JJ and Tom will do it if they can't walk.

Are will fully confirmed on bringing the infected pirates along ? I don't think it would be a good idea to expose the city to an unknown sickness.

In reply to Billy 'Crack' O'Brien  (msg # 81):

Nothing's been set in stone yet but if the fate of the naked guy in the woods is anything to go by there's the possibility that just leaving them behind may mean that they end up dead (quickly if they're lucky, slowly if they're not) if they're still here if and when the enemy over run the shanty.

If anyone has any thoughts on other ways to deal with them feel free to chip in - suggestions would be very welcome.

This will probably have people questioning my logic and moral compass, since I was against summarily executing the sick pirates earlier in the episode, but I can still see a distinction, however faint, between shooting up a shack full of invalids and leaving them, alive, for the next guys to deal with. IMHO, the former is excessive but the latter is, all things considered, justifiable.

I am not questioning anyone else's judgment on this matter. I will roll with whatever the group/leadership decides. From a character agency standpoint, I don't see Varis volunteering to help, or touching the pirates even if ordered to. I don't think Per would either, but if asked to, I think he would- grudgingly, most likely- assist in moving the sick pirates to the evac point.

-
This message was last edited by the player at 04:01, Thu 15 Mar 2018.

I say to leave them and care for our own people right now.  We seem to have our own problems and taking on sick people might not be a great idea if we introduce something bad when we get back that spreads.

Abandoning them to their fate is technically as much of a war crime as shooting them.

However, if people are fine with abandoning them, it makes my life a lot easier.

Personally I think just leaving them to their fate is worse than shooting them.

If shooting them is an option I’m comfortable with that.

No shooting.

IF people are OK with it, JJ will leave them a grenade so they can decide what to do.

If we ever get attacked by a guy in a gimp suit we'll know it's our chickens coming back to roost.

I'm definitely ok with leaving them.

Perhaps we are assuming they are going to get killed by the incoming enemy force, but that is an assumption.  The OPFOR let Kessler get a head start on running back, so it's not like they are a raging horde bent on murdering everything in their path.  They may well treat them as EPOWs, IAW the Geneva Convention.  Or maybe the enemy of my enemy is my friend and suddenly they stand up a sick-pirate platoon, to plus up their ranks.  Or the OPFOR may pull out and leave them alone as well once we are gone.  They might be executed as pirates either immediately and extra-judicially, or later IAW some local law.  Or they maybe considered allies forces of the OPFOR and treated as such.  We don't know, which means I think it's entirely fine to leave and let someone else sort it out.

In reply to John Jameson McCarthy (msg # 87):

You might want to consider leaving them with a pistol with a full magazine rather than a grenade – the grenade might just leave the buggers in a worse state without actually killing them all outright. If no one else is willing to give up theirs I will volunteer Riedel’s Tokarev.

---

In reply to Charles 'Charlie' Price (msg # 88):

You could be right. Although Kessler didn’t run back. He staged a tactical withdrawal. :)

Spartan eloquently finished my point. I'll get an IC post up this evening. Off to work, now.

-

I'm going to be offline from Monday through Thursday. I'll be able to post again on Friday, most likely. Fuse, please NPC my dudes as you see fit.

-

If there's confusion about the letters just let me know. S is for Stal, except the S co-located with W/Walsh. I put him as S for Skinny, forgetting that I gave him a real name.

I had to rush the map at the end and missed a few things...

Missing: Four monolith already at the CCP, getting ready to leave.

Missing: All Monolith/Swit guys actually, but they're shown by the big green arrows.

Missing: Fischer. He's halfway between K/Kolstrup and McCarthy's team at the prisoners. Lots of Monolith are nearby.

NOTE:
As long as your upcoming action is running, you can post your PC arriving at the ship in your (this) turn. Everyone who does just that is successful. If you do any other actions though, I'll have to resolve things first so please don't post an arrival at the ship.


This message was last edited by the GM at 01:53, Mon 19 Mar 2018.

Sorry for the hurried, lone-wolf style posts. I wanted to make sure to get something up before I go off-line for a few days. I should be back in the loop on Friday. Good luck, everyone.

-

I used Riedel's boarding of the Ascension to put up a section describing the situation/layout on board (as well as the floating dock), for the benefit of any players who'll also be boarding in this turn.

Mark, what are the Mad Dogs commiting against the trawler?

Can people see the two photos in the turn post? I did before but now I can't.

I can see them.

-

We need to shoot a LAW at the trawler. I think we were carrying three. Who has one?

If I recall correctly they're distributed as follows

1 x RPG 18 - Babicevs (this one has been in circulation for years - it was originally part of the Germans' gear when we first joined the game)

2 x Gdansk LAW's - McCarthy and Walsh have one each.

Presume Walsh fired his - I'll remove it from his sheet now.

And I can see the pictures.

That'll teach me not to update my sheet. Sorry.

I know not everyone got a turn in, but I wanted to wrap things up so I pushed on with your return.

Frank's thoughts; Tell us now and bad news always first...

Wow, nice work on that banknote Fuze.

Fuse, do we need to say who's on what teams or can we abstract it so people can post getting clean and getting some rest whilst we've still got some sentry cover?

No, that's not necessary.

Yeah that it is a cool looking banknote.

Hey everyone, even though Stark was short lived lol another character is coming. Just been unusually busy this month. Looking forward to posting again!

lol.. yeah, I'd definitely get rid of the guy that survived the partition of Poland and all three world wars.... he clearly doesn't know what the hell he's doing...
This message was last edited by the player at 17:09, Mon 02 Apr 2018.

I'll get IC posts up this afternoon, if that's not too late. Fuse, if you need to move things forward before that, please don't wait for me, and my apologies.

jj will need to draw 24 rounds of 5.56mmN and 2 40mmHE NATO from stores.

Tom will need 36 rounds of 7.62mmS from stores.

I've thrown up some assignments for the day but I'm on holiday so I haven't had time to work out who goes where. I've sketched it out so that if you want to:

A Go to the market: talk to Ferro
B Play with the Humvee: talk to Andropov.
C Visit the poorly: talk to JJ.
D Stay home.

You will be allowed to go where you want, so if you want an option E just say.

I thought we would do some training until the wounded are OK again and then take on another mission. I'd love to hear what people think that should be. There are a few ideas knocking around but I'd like everyone to have a say.

Almost a year has passed, IG, since the beginning of this story. It just occurred to me that Varis could have had his birthday at some point during the campaign. I neglected, however, to record his birthdate anywhere. Have y'all given your PCs birthdates? I don't remember ever celebrating a character's birthday IC. Funny, that.

@Mark/JJM: I've established that Per is coming down with something, so I think it's best that he stay at base and rest as much as able. Varis will happily accompany JJM, after he takes care of a little, hm, business (wink-wink).

@Fuse: Varis would like to draw one frag, four 40mmS grenades, and 90 rounds 5.45mm from unit stores. Thanks.

-
This message was last edited by the player at 00:25, Thu 05 Apr 2018.

Billy will take a ride to the market. So A.

Adjust your sheets if you haven't already for:

McCarthy: 24x 5.56mmN & 2x 40mmN HE
Andropov: 36x 7.62mmS plus all that stuff in msg#917
Varis: 90x 5.45mmB, 1x Frag, & 4x 40mmS HE
Kolstrup: 60x 7.62mmN
Price: all that stuff in msg# 918
O'Brien: 150x 7.62mmS
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:40, Thu 05 Apr 2018.

Price is the last one the Iltis can take.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:16, Thu 05 Apr 2018.

Also note taken for eye glasses.

-27 rounds of 7.62S for Frank and his AKM from stores please.

Sorry for the delay, I'm out on the range again and my second job just got me extended hours...

Couple of stores requests

From stores
Kessler - 96 rnds, 5.45 x 39mm
Walsh - 81 rnds 7.62 x 39mm, 1 x frag grenade
Riedel - 30 rnds, 5.45 x 39mm

To stores
1 x VZ61 Skorpion, 1 x 20 rnd magazine, .32ACP - From Walsh

---

Partly. Kessler's is in November and Riedel's is in July (it's in their entries in the cast list and their descriptions) although I never gave them precise dates. We're in late November now IG - I'd imagine Kessler's passed without anyone being aware of it a couple of weeks ago.

Using the die roller, I came up with the following birthdays for Varis and Per:

September 28 (Varis)

February 10 (Per)

-

In reply to Francis 'Frank' Benucci (msg # 118):
In reply to Michael Kessler (msg # 119):

Ok.

---

I'll get a turn up for the other PCs tomorrow.

Great market post with the beggar Fuse!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRCWbFFRpnY

+1

-
This message was last edited by the player at 20:01, Fri 06 Apr 2018.

LOL the imposter

On a different note. Does anyone else think it's suspicious (or at least strange) that we never saw Nowak after they went after the sub? They didn't come back with us and we never seen them since. Maybe I'm overthinking things but I thought it was weird that the Ascension returned without them.

In reply to Ferro (msg # 125):

It's definitely fishy. Either something happened to them, or they have their own agenda- one likely at cross-purposes with the other factions that participated in the op.

-

In reply to Ferro (msg # 125):

Did we actually get confirmation that they sunk the sub or captured it ?

In reply to Ferro (msg # 125):

Being honest, I never thought anything of it.

Not sure if it's a good idea considering the agreement JJM made with Monolith (and the merchant union), but what about inviting the Forest City to join in the march too?

Working out trade details.

Besides what Ferro brought did anyone else have trade goods for payment?

In reply to Fusilier (msg # 130):

Riedel brought vodka (on phone so difficult to copy / paste but msg 927 refers - it’s the one on her char sheet that she picked up at the shanty)

Walsh gave some stuff to Ferro before she left (some of the stuff he got from Jabba - msg 928 refers)

In reply to Ferro (msg # 129):

Maybe we could 'mention' to them that it's happening without actually inviting them as such? That way we have a degree of deniability if there are any repercussions.

I know that's a bit of a cop out, but I'm not sure that we ever settled on a long term strategy for that one other than to try and play for time.

In reply to Michael Kessler (msg # 131):

Thanks.

I've given a list of items acquired through the trade goods. That's all there is, based on availability/your purchasing limit. Ensure you add the relevant items to your sheets.

This turn was basically just concluding everything. I suspect you won't have any actions that will need to be played out for the rest of the day, but I'm fine if that's not the case.

Fuse, can you add the following to stores?

From Riedel (all recovered at the shanty)
1 x Eyeglasses
1 x Civilian "walkie-talkie" (only static heard)
1 x Lighter

Walsh (part of the payment from Jabba)
100x 5.45mmB Ammunition

I've removed them from the relevant sheets.

Also, can you add the 20x Materials for field dressings from the shopping trip to stores?

Done.

I'm not trying to steer you from anything, but before you get into any planning or heavy discussion I just want to clarify some of the issues with providing security for the march. I'm not saying it isn't practical, just that I want to make sure you're aware of the scale.

From what you know, the march is from the LoSA to the Solidarity Market grounds. As the crow flies that's 1.5 kilometers. You don't know the exact route, but assuming a generally straight line with some twists and turns due to the confines of the city, estimate a 2km walk. It might only take 25 minutes to walk that, but in an urban environment that's still a lot of vantage points to cover... made up of many multistory buildings, rooftops, hundreds of windows, alleys, ruins, etc.

And you can expect to be denied free access to some/many of these structures along the way.

I drew up a plausible march route. Consider it a product of the PCs putting their heads together and coming up with a route they think may be reasonably accurate, based on what they know of the city. I've included some prominent landmarks and labelled the relevant militias who have territory along the way. (Note: the map is sideways to fit the screen better so North is the right hand side).


This message was last edited by the GM at 00:15, Wed 18 Apr 2018.

I'm not trying to cause trouble folks, I assure you. I can easily let this go. I'm just trying to be an active participant and RP my PCs.

-

Right, so to summarise, this is what I'm proposing

• We take the BTR to the rally as a) a show of strength and b) in case there's trouble and we need its firepower. Fischer is vehicle commander.

• We get Gdansk and Polish flags to fly out of its upper deck hatches. My memory of my time in Poland is that fire stations and what not flew the Solidarity flag (Polish flag with Solidarity written on it) so if those exist and are an anti communist symbol in this timeline maybe we could get one of those rather than the standard Polish flag

• Kolstrup takes a squad out on a foot recce this afternoon. Kessler is headed to IB HQ so will drop you off en route. If they find a good spot for an overwatch position we can set up a two man OP. @Rae I've left this one vague as I know playing the sniper can sometimes mean extended periods away from the main group, so if you don't want to do that all we need to do is say there was no suitable position. If you do want to do it I'll volunteer Walsh as your spotter so you are not stuck by yourself (or if someone else wants to do it that's fine)

• @Ferro, no one else commented on inviting the Forest City people so I presume there's no objections - up to you if you want to follow up on that one (if you do Kessler has kindly left the the Humvee)

• @All not mentioned, I didn't want to micro manage so if anyone has a preference for what they want their PC's to do just say.

I would think that Frank is going to be out of action for a little bit of time so is more than likely unable to perform on this mission, unless I'm mistake Fuse?

In reply to Michael Kessler (msg # 138):

I think that's a great plan, Dave. I'm cool with the possibility of Per being a peripheral character for the parade episode. That said, Per would welcome Walsh's company.

Did we ever paint a Mad Dog's logo on the BTR? In addition to the Gdansk flag (which I heartily endorse), should we also display some M.M.D. paraphernalia? I'm going back and forth on this in my head.

-

In reply to Michael Kessler (msg # 138):

No, I'll pass. I just raised it as an idea but I'm not entirely sure of it myself.

In reply to Francis 'Frank' Benucci (msg # 139):

He can participate within limitations. Observing or walking won't be a problem for example, but running, carrying, or fighting is going to be severely handicapped. If this is taken into consideration he can be slotted into a role so he won't be excluded.

In reply to Per Kolstrup (msg # 140):

No, nothing had been applied to any vehicles yet (nor has shoulder patches been made, which was a related idea). I don't know if anything was decided on, but this was my contribution plus an alternate that I came up with later (bigger dog head and more focus on the city).




This message was last edited by the GM at 11:07, Thu 19 Apr 2018.

I forgot to mention this in the IC post but with regard a unifying symbol the idea was to get as many people as possible wearing red armbands, as we did on the Op (red being the main colour of the Gdansk flag, which is the reason it was chosen in the first place).

If I recall correctly Spartan first mentioned the Kotwica, or Home Army Anchor, a while ago as another possible symbol.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kotwica

One advantage of that is that it would be reasonably quick and easy to apply with a stencil (and could be put on helmets, armbands etc quite easily).
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 11:16, Thu 19 Apr 2018.

Home army symbol might associate us with the actual home army though? Aren't they like those guys were ran into way down south of Gdansk? Or Burant's people?
This message was last edited by the player at 11:27, Thu 19 Apr 2018.

Yeah, for sure it would probably be prudent to take advice from the local players – Piszscek, Tymoshenko, even Kaminski – about the wisdom of using the Anchor – as you say, it may imply a pro NATO stance which may not sit well with all parties concerned. Ideally we want something linked to Gdansk – maybe the crown and two crosses from the City crest?

http://www.gdansk.pl/en/about-...ty-of-Gdansk,a,12044

Would anyone like to accompany Per on his recce and/or act as his spotter if/when he finds a place to set up a counter-sniper aerie?

As is customary Varis will accompany McCarthy during the parade unless, of course, JJM would prefer him someplace else.

-

In reply to Per Kolstrup (msg # 146):

OK, so if we do

Recce today
Kolstrup
Ferro
Walsh

And OP tomorrow
Kolstrup
Walsh

Everyone involved OK with that? Walsh will take the Dragunov from stores . Also, Kessler will loan the OP team his spotting scope w/ tripod and his camera. 'cos taking photos of dodgy looking characters seems like the sort of thing that they might do.

I would but, my injury won't let me help all that much.

In reply to Fusilier (msg # 142):

As I said when you first posted your designs, well done Fuse. I like both, but prefer the second, I think. Speaking of flags, I found the following site while researching for Twilight Cruise. If I've already shared it, I apologize.

http://loeser.us/flags/poland1.html

The "Zywia y Bronia" (We Feed and Defend) flag was going to belong to a partisan faction in Twilight Cruise but the game died before the party encountered them. I couldn't find a way to squeeze them into Rook's Gambit either.

-

Sorry, but I was't able to provide any real detail on the rally area tonight. I'll get on that this weekend with a map and then we (all PCs) can jump into the "action" next week.

Rae, there's a few sets of spare civilian clothing in stores. We picked them up during a market trip exactly for this sort of op.

In reply to Chris Walsh (msg # 151):

Thanks. I should have checked when I went there looking for SMGs.

-

The Mad Dogs paced the distance from the monument to the road and estimate the distance to the road (to help gauge the scale) to be 80m.


Apt.1 - This is an intact and occupied apartment building. It's 10 levels high, but shutters are in place on the bottom six levels, suggesting, but not confirming, that only those floors are inhabited by the tenants. The upper floors windows are boarded/covered over. Apt.1 overlooks the predicted location of the rally site. Apartments like this usually has some form of limited security (either day or day+night).

Apt. 2 - This is an intact but unoccupied apartment building. It's 10 levels high. The ground floor doors and windows are boarded up. Upper floor windows are mostly broken/bare with a few covered up here and there. Some fire damage on the ninth floor may extend to the tenth and roof though it's hard to tell.

Trading Hall - The marketplace's main hall where produce from outside the city is brought in and sorted. Inside is an auction space, warehouse, trading floor for members, etc. It's is one level, but the raised roof puts it level 2 height. This building is guarded 24 hours/day,

Admin - The administration building is an intact office style building with one level. Some windows have been reinstalled, while others are shuttered or covered over. Marketplace management and support operate here, issuing permits for merchants who wish to setup on the grounds, and overseeing labor. There are also services for licensed traders such as a "bank". An incomplete wind turbine tower is on the roof. The open ground between here and the monument is a likely location of the rally. This building is guarded at night.

Industrial Site - A complex of intact, though abandoned looking industrial structures. There are a mix of heights, ranging from 1 level administrative buildings to what look like factories as high as a six level residential complex. The "ADMIN" building is blocking much of the LOS to where the rally is expected to take place.

Cultivated Fields - There are two, both of which are surrounded by salvaged materials such as chain link fencing, concertina wire, or (in some places) just a cable stretched across with placards attached warning of trespassing. The fields are bare/snow covered.

Ruin (Between Route Blue + Green) - This is an isolated four level ruin used by the prewar government. The ruin is a burned out but semi-intact, meaning there is still a concrete shell, but anything combustible is gone. It's unclear if there is still access to the upper floors, though open pitfalls can probably be expected in either case. It overlooks a very large but unoccupied parking lot that could also be the location of the rally.

Vacant Apartment - This is a large, but low apartment building that is visibly no longer inhabited. It's three levels high. The doors and windows are open/smashed. The sloped design of the roof suggests that it may not be accessible from inside.

Offices + Warehouses - This was a sprawling, one level complex of connected businesses, including subcontractors related to the ship building industry, storage units, an autobody garage, a safety equipment shop, offices for a janitorial company, etc. There is some external damage on the southern half of the main complex and one of the satellite buildings has burned to the ground leaving a low heap of rubble. People from the marketplace often go here to dump their toilet waste. It's partially surrounded by a five foot brick wall.

Rubble / Ruins - Three buildings in the southwestern corner are mostly collapsed. Rubble that spilled out onto the road has been cleared and placed into a pile. Access into them would be risky. None of the three has any sort of roof and it's unclear if there is anything of an upper floor to still stand on. The march is expected to pass between them on either Route Yellow or Orange.

Bicycle / Cart Factory - This is an active industrial site producing various forms of transport. Several buildings occupy the site, though only the two largest ones are confirmed at this time to be in use. Both of those have visible rooftop access (one internally and the other via an external set of stairs). Termonen's apartment was across the street to the south (not on the map). Though workers are only here in the day it's likely someone guards the premises at night. A six foot high concrete wall surrounds the property.

---

There's probably only enough time to thoroughly investigate ONE of the above locations in daylight. TWO may be checked out, at the cost of being thorough, and only if they are adjacent.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:16, Sun 22 Apr 2018.

That's great detail, Fuse. Thanks.

I'd like to say it's down to the investigation team to decide what's important to follow up. They're the ones on the ground.

Also, as for Forest City, if we ask them, even quietly, I think it runs a risk of causing more trouble at the parade because straight away it shows us thumbing our nose at the Merchants. If we don't ask them, we can test if the "agreement" is sound or not. That will cut down come potential for trouble I think. There'll still be others though.

I'd lean towards Apt 2, followed by Apt 1. Or the Ruin between Blue and Green. But if others have different preferences that's absolutely fine by me

Agreed.

-

No one wants to use the SMG's?

In reply to Francis 'Frank' Benucci (msg # 157):

Per took the Skorpion because I needed to post but hadn't heard back as to whether or not Frank's MP5SD had a fixed or collapsible stock. Thanks for the offer, though.

-

Sorry if I missed it, it is collapsible.

I've closed the active IC thread to keep it from going over 1000 posts. A new thread will be opened when I complete the next turn.

Recce team: the building is boarded up which will take some effort to gain entry, it's still light out, and it is fairly close to a populated area. So there's a risk of the dice getting you seen. No rolls have been made and I am not trying to steer you, just laying down the situation for you.

Andropov - no IC post is necessary but can you confirm if he resumed work on the 2nd Humvee? It counts as "hard work" for fatigue levels, but as long as he gets a full nights sleep I don't think it'll count for tomorrow.

Rae asked that I expand on the info thread explaining the major factions and include the secondary ones as well. There's a lot of them and having it listed out will be easier to for players to look things up when they're unsure who's who. All I did was copy and paste from my notes and flesh it out a little to make it more readable to others. This isn't "required" reading so if you aren't interested in it, don't read it.

Couple points about it.

1. At first glance it might look like Gdansk is hopeless fractured, but these are just "companies" of militia and all of them have essentially the same goal in mind. A few are subordinate to one of the major factions and most, if not all of them, are allied to one another in some way.

2. Strengths given are for total mobilization. Aside from a few (IB for example) most of them are "true" militias, not standing armies, so very few of their members are on duty at a time. Golden Dawn Company for example has 60 men to call upon, but perhaps only 15 may be ready at any one time. Total mobilization is rare. Because it robs the factories, farms, and other sources of production of manpower. It's not sustainable for long.

3. The quality of the faction varies by a lot. Size doesn't mean everything.

4. Some of them are so far removed from the PCs locale that they won't really play a real part in the game.

Yup, back to the grindstone....

Dave, JJ will answer Kessler. Not today though, I'm going to band straight from work and won't be back til late. I'll try in work tomorrow but it will done by the evening for sure.

I'm in two minds here. We could wait until dark to reduce the risk of being seen breaking and entering but it's also going to make our recce more challenging if we have to do it in the dark (or risk using flashlights which could also be spotted).

So I'm inclined to think that risking it and trying to sneak in while there's still some light is the lesser of two evils.

Any thoughts?

In reply to Chris Walsh (msg # 163):

I say go for it (daylight). As you pointed out, if we go in at night, using flashlights, our chances of being seen are also pretty high. I don't trust NVGs to keep us from avoiding obstacles or pitfalls in an abandoned building. Let's try to enter from either the south or east side, since we're less likely to be seen. Hopefully the local po-po won't waste their time/effort on guarding or patrolling around an abandoned building. Per didn't bring any intrusion tools (nor does he have the skill) but, he's pretty strong, and perhaps Fuse will agree to roll a skill or UMA (punch/kick) check instead.

-
This message was last edited by the player at 22:42, Mon 23 Apr 2018.

Ok thanks. And yes, STR plus UMA will be utilized.

The post will be up later tonight.

Just to help illustrate the LOS I've marked the map showing (in red arrows) potential threat areas that Kolstrup would be able to see from inside the apartment. For example, if a shooter got on the roof of the "vacant apt" then he would be visible. Red circles show dead space. So if a shooter was anywhere in the north facing windows in APT.1 he would not be visible.

Being on the roof gives you more LOS options, but as mentioned in the narrative, you'd be easily seen. In some cases being on the roof will enable some of those dead spaces marked on the map to be open. In other cases not. The north face of APT.1 for example is not visible whether you are inside or on the roof. Just ask if you want clarification on anything.


This message was last edited by the GM at 19:49, Tue 24 Apr 2018.

Thanks for the sweet maps, Fuse. You rock.

@All: I still like Apt. 2. It also has good LOS to good chunks of Routes Green and Orange, should the rally go mobile.

Also, we have the over-watch team (Per and Walsh), the BTR team, and...? I'm sorry if I missed it; I think it was implied that McCarthy would be in one of the soft-skins (w/ Varis, if he'll have me) but I don't know if that's accurate. If we have an "extra" vehicle and personnel, how about we set up a small reaction force, in case the S does HTF on rally day. Thoughts?

-

The initial plan for the rally was as follows

Group One - Marching on foot as part of the rally (preferably with the LoSA)
McCarthy
Kessler
Babicevs
Andropov
Czerny

Group Two - BTR - also taking part in the rally
Fischer (VC)
Aleksandr (Driver)
Lines (Gunner)
Bennuci (Observer #1)
Riedel (Observer #2 / medic)

The idea would be for groups one and two to be operating as one unit, i.e. the BTR would be following those marching. That way we show support for the LoSA by bringing a (modest) show of strength to the rally.

Group Three - Attending the rally undercover and mixing with the crowd, again on foot
Ferro
Janku

Group Four - Overwatch
Kolstrup
Walsh

Staying behind
Anna

I think that accounts for everyone except Price and O'Brien. Both can fit into either group one or group two (group one can take as many people as want to be in it and there's plenty of room for people to sit on top of the BTR if they want).

Any reaction force would need to be drawn from the above. Personally I'd prefer to stick with the framework above but if consensus is to have a QRF that's fine.

I think your plan is solid, Dave. The QRF idea just occurred to me late last night. My rationale is that if there is an attack on the rally, the Mad Dogs attending might get caught in a stampede or pinned down or something, and therefore not able to respond promptly or effectively. A QRF would allow us avoid pedestrian traffic, to hit an attacking force from an unexpected direction, or cut said force off if it attempts to run.  But, if we don't have the personnel, it's moot anyway.

-

Billy will put his hand up for group one.

I put two turns up this time.

Use time time to clarify your PC's dress and equipment loadout, and anything drawn from stores. Specifically I'd like to know who has radios and weapons. If you aren't wearing webbing for example I need radio inclusion to be confirmed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:35, Thu 26 Apr 2018.

Charlie will go with the BTR group.  He'll sit on the top deck to give another pair of eyes.  He'll be kitted up as a rifleman in case there's some house-to-house work is needed and blasting away with the KPV isn't a good option.. :)

I assume everyone except Ferro/Janku are wearing red armbands (leftover from the pirate operation?). Correct?

In reply to Fusilier (msg # 173):

Ferro won't but she will bring one and keep it in her pocket.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:08, Fri 27 Apr 2018.

In reply to Fusilier (msg # 173):

Walsh is the same as Ferro - he'll have one in his possession but he won't be wearing it openly.

If / when he puts it on I'll make it clear at the time with an orange OOC tag - until then presume he doesn't.

Kessler and Riedel will both be wearing them from the outset.

In reply to Fusilier (msg # 173):

Per is carrying but not wearing his. He'll only put it on if something pops off. Varis is wearing his openly.

-

Following a suggestion and consideration I'm altering the current XP reward method to a merit based system. For those who played in Rae's "Pirates" (or possibly other games) this isn't new to you. Instead of the mass allocation of XP they will now be reserved for:

- Exceptional role-playing
- Successful completion of difficult and/or impossible tasks
- IC Problem solving

I want to tell the LOSA about our sniper post and surveillance team. It will show we trust them and maybe stop mistaken identity problems.

What do you think?

I think you should tell them. The deputy anyway... not all of them.

I agree with Ferro

No issues there Fuse

The following is an illustration of the current general situation developed from what you already know, plus conversations between Kessler (so far) and the present militia.

The yellow shaded zones represent the approximate territorial control of various militias. In actuality there is no real border so this is meant as a very loose guide.

Red shaded zones depicts the area where there is Soviet activity, such as patrols, ambushes, and other forms of low level harassment/area denial operations.

This zone interferes with the Przejazdowo MSR and overland trade route with Sobieszewo, both shown in dotted blue line. It also overlaps Gdansk's most important food producing area.

Friendly forces from Dolne Miasto (Watchmen territory) and Przejazdowo (EAFD territory) are conducting small unit "patrol warfare" in an effort to deny the critical ground between them from the enemy.

The enemy are operating from two forward operating bases, one at Orunia and the other at Kowale. Their main cantonment is located further south at Pruszcz Gdanski. The enemy forces involved are elements of the 42nd Guards Motor Rifle Division, which have relieved Polish forces originally from the Tczew garrison. Strengths and dispositions are conflicting/uncertain on account of units shuffling around and an effective counter-intelligence (disinformation) effort.

Osprey Brigade is most heavily engaged friendly unit. Paraphrased from a conversation: "Our men live in trenches. Literally. There aren't any trees left where we are. Even Bishop's Hill is deforested, everything cut down or charred. Where there isn't mud there's just broken concrete. It's rough to say the least. The LoSA deployed with us for a month, taking some of the burden off our shoulders. Golden Dawn did the same. They also gave us two hundred refurbished landmines to help cover our frontage. The enemy is camped 1000m from our wire. Sniper fire occurs daily. Their mortars have our bunkers zeroed in. The FEBA is active, day and night. When it comes to staying low one usually doesn't make a mistake twice. You have to be thinking about that every minute of the day. Gdansk has managed to keep us supplied, but shortages are routine. Osprey quietly endures."


This message was last edited by the GM at 01:33, Mon 30 Apr 2018.

In reply to Fusilier (msg # 182):

Thanks for this, Fuse. If you would post this to one of the intel threads for future reference, I would be much obliged.

-

I'm pretty sure we can't negotiate a way through here. Even talking to a subordinate shows weakness.

I could try to convince the crowd to walk away without losing too much face or I can try and make it look as if we have contempt for the Merchants and salvage a political hit from it. that would pretty much finish us with the MU though and set us against them.

I don't want to do that without you all having a say.

I’m very much against backing down. I’d be in favour of telling Newell to stand aside or be prepared to accept the consequences (probably with a bit of a speech about how we are holding a peaceful rally to show solidarity for a hero who was wounded in the service of Gdansk and who also just happens to be an ordained Priest in the Catholic Church).

In my opinion if we fold at the first obstacle and walk away we lose all credibility in the eyes of the various groups that are marching.

If you don’t want to talk to the monkey we can tell him to get Kowalczyk here.

I'm pretty sure it'll be back down here or fight.

I'm happy to do either as long as we agree.

So two for pushing on regardless.

I say walk. If we fight, we've made a mortal enemy and weakened Gdansk's collective defenses. If we walk, we may look weak, but we gain the moral high ground. The other faction looks like disrespectful ingrates and bullies. If we fight, we may look strong, but again, we've irreparably fractured relationships with other factions.

-

In reply to Varis Babicevs (msg # 187):

Valid points, but I fear that the moral high ground means nothing in Gdansk. My reading of the situation suggests that we're in an honour based socio-political environment and if we back down we lose all honour and take out the honour of the factions we are working with.

The fact that the Inspector isn't there tells me there's no room for negotiation so the choice is trying to force a way through either by force of personality or weight of numbers or skulking off now and forgetting about playing a part in the situation we find ourselves in.

As long as people understand that's what backing down means, I'm still happy to go with it but our influence in Gdansk will be over and maybe it'll be time to look for another base of operations.

I agree with all of the above and I'm not happy to back down. If we do that means we don't back up our allies. Allies that backed us up.

Okay, so we initiate an impromptu street battle against an MU affiliate. What then? I get honor and all that, but it sounds like we are buying into a prison yard mentality. If this is the future of Gdansk, the city is screwed, "free" or not. And the last thing this city needs right now is a civil war.

-
This message was last edited by the player at 16:55, Wed 02 May 2018.

There's an old Polish saying: It's better to have a sister who's a whore than a brother in the ZOMO.

I'm betting that can be applied to the MJO unless they have carefully cultivated relationships in town.  Perhaps it's worth having a Polish speaker try to rally the crowd and our comrades colleagues to see if we can generate some pressure on these guys.  Between backing down and moving forward there's a third option - Mexican standoff.  It's defiant while also not escalating the situation at this point.  We can use the time to try to turn sentiment against men that probably look a lot like those that have beaten and killed protestors before the war.

My vote is to move forward (option to use the Krok, slowly) or stay put. I don't think turning around is the right course of action.

A unified city needs to break down these territorial borders. We're taking a step backwards if we continue to allow factions to decide who can or can't use the roads. Especially when denial is given on purely political reasons.

We have to accept the fact that not everyone is going to unite under the person(s) they want to lead, so there will be conflict. We'll either face that now or later but I don't think it's avoidable.

Lastly. Let's remember that we're not in charge here. We're participants on someone else's event. If they decide to go forward are we still walking away? The General asked if we were prepared to accept there might be conflict and the Mad Dogs were committed (then).

So forward or stay put (like Charlie's idea) is my "vote".
This message was last edited by the player at 23:29, Wed 02 May 2018.

That's a good point. I guess we should let the LOSA leadership make the call and then back them up, whatever it is. We've made our bed, I suppose. I just don't like the idea of an internecine street battle with the Soviet wolves still at the door.

-

Everything I've suggested to the LOSA so far has been phrased as advice. JJ will back the leadership's call.

If we're looking at internecine: even when we were engaged in fighting the Russians, one of our missions was to take out the MU leadership on the Soldek as they were trying to defect. The MU are not for Gdansk, they appear to be for themselves. It wouldn't surprise me to find out what they are doing now is gathering as much territory as they can so they have a better bargaining position with the Russians when they try to defect again. We also have intel saying there are people in Gdansk actively working with the Russians. I wouldn't be surprised to find out many of them are in the MU.

Just to check positioning. We are between the Old Market hall and the Great Mill, right? And Woermann is in the road next to the Old Market (Granary)?

Do we have comms with Ferro?

Yes, you are between the Old market Hall and the Great Mill, though closer to the GM than the OMH.

Woermann is now behind you at the last/first intersection.

Ferro is in comms. I forgot to send her a PM which is why there's no post from her.

Except for radio comms my posts are private... just so you know that Ferro is still out there doing her job.

General layout:

2 o'clock from monument is wagon, crowd to the immediate northeast.

Closer to the road are the pushcarts and food area. The Krok is on the road.

Blue dots are Mad Dogs, but just guesses, so your posts aren't restricted to anything shown (except for Kolstrup and Walsh).

Red dots are MU guys, both the goon and merc types.

There's going to be a little delay getting the next turn up.

Updated map. Sorry if things are small but it'd be too cluttered if I made them larger on a map covering this much ground.

Blue rectangle on Route Red is still the Krokodil. Blue dots on the left side of it are Riedel, Frank, and O'Brien (assuming I read the posts correctly).

Paired black rectangles are the carts/food.

Lone black rectangle is the wagon being used as a speaker's platform. Blue dot next to it is McCarthy. Varis is there too (dot missing).

Red X are dead (known).

Purple are truck and auto.

Think we just hit post 32,000. Thanks to Fuse for running such a great game and to everybody who helps keep it going. It's the last game I have on RPOL, let's keep making it the best.

In reply to John Jameson McCarthy (msg # 201):

Thank you.

---

@PCs located at the Krok:
The Krok is moving so I'd like IC posts indicating subsequent actions to what's already been posted. Thanks.

Here, here!

Which direction is the Krok headed in? South towards the casualty at the trading hall or west?

I was hoping that it would move toward the casualty, hence asking the gunner to face west to cover potential gun shots. If the BTR moves where Reidel doesn't want it, she can tell it to change direction as she's guiding the recovery mission.

Hope in one hand...

Absolutely.

...shit in the other.  See what gets filled first...

OK, I called it the way I thought Riedel would.

The BTR is facing NE. It's going to turn around by reversing/turning its rear towards the Trade Hall, so that the bow is pointed west. Then it's going to move forward slowly.

What I need to know where are the PCs relative to the vehicle. In the last actions they were using it for cover standing on the left side. But it's moving now and the threats are coming from a known direction, so this is an opportunity to adjust. Otherwise the PCs are going to be standing there in the field.

In reply to Fusilier (msg # 210):

Riedel's headed south from the BTR's current location in the direction of the red X at the bottom left corner of the trading hall. If anyone wants to come with her that's up to them but she's not asking / telling anyone to do so. And she's running.

Andropov will follow Reidel.

Aleksandar and Fischer and crewing the Krok, was a third man as well?

In reply to Fusilier (msg # 213):

Lines was the third crewman (gunner).

Thanks.

Scheduling/Posting issue on my end.  NPC as needed.  Frank will help 'Yuri' getting the Marians on board however needed for their safety.

Sorry

I'll post something up, no worries. Thanks for letting us know.

Hey all,

I'm in the midst of having a very busy week out of town and now at home. I'd like to have the turn up asap but that might not be until tomorrow - or failing that, Wednesday at the absolute latest (when my schedule returns to normal).

Next turn post is scheduled for Weds (5th) or failing that on Weds (13th). I'll be away from home for 10 days and it'll all depend on if I have internet access or not. Right now I'm unsure.

For PC posts please shoot for the 5th just in case it all works out.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:16, Sun 03 June 2018.

Update to above... my dates changed so next turn post is set for tomorrow.

One after that will have to wait until the 16th.

The call for smoke grenades is just to see if laying a smoke screen would be viable, don't go throwing any yet, it may not be an option or if it is an option, it may not be sensible.

Depends on who/what you want to smoke off. Most people still throwing range are scattered so it would either take a lot of smoke to be effective or you'd only be covering a couple people.

There's a group bunched up at the Krok, but screening them would mean blinding Fischer's crew.

The other (and largest) group are those reorganizing in the marketplace, though they are outside of throwing range from your current position nor might they want to be smoked off.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:02, Mon 04 June 2018.

OK, the Marians are on board and the crowd is panicking. Does anyone have a suggestion about what to do?

My first instinct is to move on the northwest apartment: get out of the killing field of the square, deny the position's use to the hostiles, maybe find out who the eff attacked the march in the first place. I only hesitate because now we have unarmed civies on board der Krok.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOOMoAPawoA

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I agree with Rae. The BTR was specifically brought along to be able to engage targets in upper stories of buildings so get its guns pointing towards the target building and send a squad to clear the building. We might even catch the shooters although that might create a world of trouble.

Szymański appears to be somewhat out of his depth so I'd suggest McCarthy moves to him (I realise that might put McCarthy at risk but if there's still a sniper on site I can't think of any options that don't have some degree of risk) and he (McCarthy) assumes operational command of everything that's happening. He can phrase it as 'advice', that way Szymański saves face, which is a consideration if you still want to have a relationship with the LOSA after this. Try and get the Osprey leader involved as well - he seemed to know what he was doing. Use as much militia as you can get to reinforce the Mad Dogs (leave some to defend the crowd just in case). The crowd might be reassured by 'their' troops doing something to try and protect them.

And try and establish contact with the MU so they know we are trying to work with them not against them. I realise McCarthy can't do all of that and there's no other leadership level PC's on the square for him to delegate to so you may have to prioritise. I suppose McCarthy could always try and raise Riedel and ask her to put whoever's in charge  in the trading hall on the radio. He knows Riedel is in there so I don't think that's meta. I also think it would be better if McCarthy talks to his MU counterpart man to man rather than delegating it to Riedel.

The civies asked to be brought aboard so while I'm aware their presence is a complication it's not a dealbreaker for me. My biggest concern is that there's an RPG somewhere in the square (the chatter Riedel overheard if anyone missed it) but that's meta so none of you can use it IC unless she gets a chance to alert you. Frankly if there is an RPG out there the MU decide to take a shot I think they'd do it anyway regardless of whether the Krok is active or not (I refer to my earlier comment about degrees of risk).

If / when Riedel gets an opportunity to request the BTR provide casevac for the wounded merc McCarthy will probably need to deny it. I'll improvise as needed.

Ask Cassidy to ask Tymoshenko to use whatever influence the Marians have with the IB to get Kessler and Woermann off the hook so we can reinforce you.

I think that's all I've got right now.

Any objections to the Mad Dogs currently using the Krok for cover swapping places with it and leading the way through the marketplace? Or would you rather continue trailing behind it in the marketplace as well.

By "marketplace" I mean when going down one of the lanes that divides the stalls. It's confined quarters.

I need at least 2 players to respond yay or nay.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:39, Tue 05 June 2018.

If you need a volunteer, Frank will.  I'm still kind of tied up with work but, hope it lessens soon.

I'm good to swap.

Ok that's all I need. Thanks.

Happy to swap.

Tuesday for the next turn.

Rae, I’m not intentionally ignoring this, but Kessler is currently out of comms range so he can’t reply to any transmissions coming from anyone at the market. Maybe McCarthy can pick up on it?

Yeah, I'll sort now.

I'm sorry. I used the wrong call-sign. I intended to contact Fischer in der Krok.

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In reply to Billy 'Crack' O'Brien  (msg # 161):

You can't do both 1) go look for bodies and 2) go be at the apartment. The assault is already underway in this turn so it's one or the other.

Also there's no orders to who is going where. We have two sergeants, a private, and a two militia on site. As I mentioned in the narrative you have to make your own decisions here.

In reply to Fusilier (msg # 235):

Right I will update my post.

I'm not sure of exact numbers: I'd suggest

Billy 12 o clock

Tom 3 o clock

Frank 9 0 clock

Tom and Jerry 6 o clock
Tom faces rear, Jerry scans inward for problems

If any others are around, they can join 12, 3 and 9 in that order, or if there's a PC, at their stated choice.

I'd suggest blasting through, finding a stairs and then working out if there are other stairs.

Sorry my post is late.

Mark you think it's a good idea for the MU to get their hands on our commander? They already have out medic. Not only that but we need someone in charge of the op. Just saying...

This may be my fault. When I suggested opening a line of communication between McCarthy and the MU commander I said it would be better if it was done ‘man to man’. What I meant was that McCarthy spoke to the MU leader himself rather than delegating any negotiation to Riedel but I didn’t envisage it would be face to face – I was thinking that it could be done over the radio.

So sorry, some unintended consequences there.

No need for sorry. Not a huge deal.

In reply to Ferro (msg # 240):

Sorry :)

http://www.bbc.com/future/stor...sh-say-sorry-so-much

Guys need to clarify how you are carry found weapons and other things.

Mark, casualty needs more than one dressing to be effective first aid. How many do you have / willing to use?
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:57, Thu 21 June 2018.

Tom's only got the one. he's light on everything but brooding Soviet introspection.

I'm kinda back and will try to be a bit more involved.

In reply to Fusilier (msg # 242):

Billy will pass off any stuff they find to others to carry such as the two weapons, I was just making sure they would not be left behind.

I'm going to be AFK (family road-trip vacay) until Friday. Fuse, please NPC Varis & Per as needed. Good luck- you're on your own. ;)

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Frank would temporarily like to take the SVD in case he needs something more to shoot at a distance (for the time being).

Nex turn should be for Wednesday.

Also, I cut some actions short, with things ending with the casualty moved to the BTR but Andropov and Jerry not yet having returned to the apartment building.

Mark, please remove 1x glowstick.

OK, to summarise my last IC post, my proposed plan is as follows

• Osprey militia clear the ground floor*
• Mad Dogs clear the first floor
• if the layout is the same on both floors, one stack (O'Brien, Benucci, Andropov, Czerny) take the right side, the other stack (Kessler, Price, Tom, Jerry) take the left side (if it's a different layout we'll need to wing it).
• The BTR is clear to engage any targets spotted on second floor or above
• Ferro and Janku watch out for runners

If anyone wants to suggest alternative options feel free.

* To avoid confusion, both me and Kessler are using European conventions to refer to floors, so a European ground floor would, I believe, be the first floor in American English. Please assume that Kessler would clarify that if anyone was unclear IC.

In reply to Michael Kessler (msg # 249):

We're still looking for IED's while we move and clear correct?  Slow clearing process is all I would reinforce...

Paused things there to give an idea of what it's like in case you want to change up anything before clearing the last level. Right now this is the formation...

When in main hallway:
One stack (O'Brien *lead*, Benucci, Andropov, Czerny) take the right side and the other stack (Kessler *lead*, Price, Tom, Jerry) take the left side.

When in stairwell: single file based on list above in that sequence (first stack and then second stack).

Clearing one apartment unit at a time, leaving whichever happens to be the other stack out in the hall.

You can discuss here but any changes need to be IC.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:42, Thu 28 June 2018.

Unless anyone has any objections I'm proposing we just repeat the same drills on the next two floors.

In reply to Michael Kessler (msg # 252):

Billy will have no problem with that.

In reply to Billy 'Crack' O'Brien  (msg # 253):

No problem here either

I'm presuming that we would have an SOP for switching comms and would have covered alternate channels before we set off on an op so everyone would know what channel Bravo refers to without Kessler having to transmit its actual frequency (which would seem to defeat the point).

I neglected to mention it was a holiday long weekend (Canada Day) for me. The turn will be up tomorrow.

Sorry, Billy's weapon?  RPD?

In reply to Francis 'Frank' Benucci (msg # 257):

That was my understanding - see IC msg 161 (am on my phone so can’t easily copy and paste).

If that’s not the case I’ll need to amend the plan as he clearly can’t put down much suppressive fire with a shotgun.

I'll do what I can with the MP-5 and I thought I recalled him getting his gear after the gunfire started from our vehicle.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:09, Wed 04 July 2018.

I got roped into laying sod this weekend for my parents so I'm a little behind on things again but will have the turn up tomorrow.

In reply to Fusilier (msg # 260):

Ha-ha! You poor sod.

;)

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Faded portions of enemy represent them utilizing cover.


This message was last edited by the GM at 01:01, Wed 11 July 2018.

Has anyone in the assault stack got any CS gas grenades on their person? Fuse, can you advise for Price and Czerny?

Tom has 2 signal smoke grenades and one that says HC smoke, I don't think any of those help.

In reply to Michael Kessler (msg # 263):

Don't have.

In reply to Tomasz Andropov (msg # 264):

As we appear to be in a stalemate at the moment I was hoping that if we had some CS gas grenades we could mask up and then try and flush the shooter(s) out with gas (any of our own people who don’t have masks would obviously need to withdraw to one of the lower floors).

That’s pretty much all I have. If anyone has any alternative suggestions feel free to say.

Edit. The only other thing that springs to my mind is to fall back a bit and use the KPV to turn the upper floor into swiss cheese. But we'd still have to go back up eventually so if the KPV doesn't get them (which we wouldn't know) they could be waiting for us at the stop of the stairs.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:51, Thu 12 July 2018.

What if Tom comes up to be next to Billy and then opens up with his AKM. He'll empty the magazine and cover Billy crawling up to the side of the door. Then He'll reload and Billy can open up from a kneeling position. Tom will run forward through the door and drop when he gets level with Billy's gun.

Then Tom can crawl forward and when Billy stops firing and the shooter sticks himself out he'll either have to shoot at Tom or Billy and the other one can get him.

It's risky I know, but I'm willing to try if people think it has a chance.

In reply to Tomasz Andropov (msg # 267):

Up to you and Cymon. If you're both happy then go for it.

What do you say, Cymon? There's some risk, but I've tried to minimise it for you.

What are the walls like, Fuse? Would mouse-holing work?

They can't be mouseholed with your equipment on hand, unless you spent a long time chipping away.

If Chris and Per move to another apartment across the hall would they be able to knock a hole in the floor? (Or find one that already has a hole in the floor?)

(I'm thinking if we could and then we come under attack we've got a sneaky way out)

In reply to Tomasz Andropov (msg # 269):

Yes I am happy to try. It we have more grenades those on the stairs could try that. I am out though having used the only one Billy brought to the parade.

In reply to Fusilier (msg # 271):

I was thinking that, we might have been lucky and had crappy walls. I'll post up the action now.

In reply to Chris Walsh (msg # 272):

Not enough time for the resources on hand. No floor/ceiling holes known.

All of the plan for the stairwell can be played out this turn.

Dave, if you will, I'd like you to roll for your attempt at trickery.
D20, persuasion, formidable level.

Edit - changed the difficulty. Shouldn't have posted without checking first.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:35, Wed 18 July 2018.

There you go...

18:54, Today: Michael Kessler rolled 6 using 1d20.  Persuasion check, TN6.

I don't think that Varis has a radio, ATM. I checked his char-sheet a few days ago and one isn't listed. It's been quite a while so I don't remember very well, but at one point either Varis or Per lost a handheld and have been forced to share ever since. ATM, Per has a radio, so unless someone else lent Varis a radio, he is without. I think that, being the Major's bodyguard, he was relying on McCarthy for radio coms. I'm sorry to throw yet another fly into the ointment.

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There's a radio listed. R-126 (#X05).

I'm open to any suggestions re how we try to extricate McCarthy from his predicament. Kessler's initial thought is to try and open a dialogue with the MU holding him via the original (compromised) radio channel but if anyone wants to try anything different that's fine by me.

Also, I'm only going on what Kessler would currently know. On a meta level I know there may be other things going on but Kessler doesn't know that.

In reply to Fusilier (msg # 280):

In that case, I'll have Varis respond over the company net.

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Anyone? Or are we happy with what's been suggested?

I'd go for dialogue. An aggressive move not only could see JJM killed but Varis as well (since I don't think we can hit the two locations simultaneously. One of them would probably die at least. We also don't even know where JJM is at the moment. He could be where Riedel last saw him, in another part of the building, or even elsewhere. Dialogue is only option as far as I see it.

The union guys haven't actually attacked us to that might be a sign this can be resolved.

Also my suggestion is for dialogue to be handled in person. Not over the radio.

...just in a way that won't see someone else detained.

In reply to Ferro (msg # 285):

Cool, thanks for the feedback. I've given it a try.

Have to run out for a minute. Remainder of turn up in couple hours...

How tall is the figure in BDU’s in comparison to the people flanking him?

McCarthy is pretty tall if I remember correctly? Over six feet?

Taller.

Edited a previous post (msg #290) writing error.

Walsh IS looking at McCarthy.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:33, Tue 24 July 2018.

JJ will draw the M4A1 from stores.

In reply to John Jameson McCarthy (msg # 291):

Ok, add it to your sheet.

Kessler’s last post is sort of addressed to McCarthy but if anyone else wants to chime in feel free. I tried to write it in a way that made it more open but it felt a bit clunky.

I just wanted to let people know that I have been in the hospital for the past month.   I have obviously had some major medical issues and have been unable to get online for quite some time. I also was put in a coma because of my condition.

In reply to Francis 'Frank' Benucci (msg # 294):

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear that. What happened and are you going to be ok?

-

We've been discussing where to go next in a way that keeps everyone engaged so whatever is said IC, I'd appreciate feedback here or there on what people are interested in doing.

With us knowing a time and a frequency of a transmission, trying to triangulate it seems like a good option: it may not work anyway, but I think it's too good an opportunity to miss.

Obviously, if everyone else thinks it's a shit idea, I'm happy to do something else.

If we do think that trying to take out the saboteurs I a good idea, we need to get some materials together and we either have to RP some of it out or ask Fuse if he can handle it OC.

So, does anyone want to join in these activities:
1) Going with Kessler to trawl the harbour area and try to find news of Novak
2) Go to the market with McCarthy to try and find kit to build antennas. We cold do some personal pick up stuff there too. J would try for several options: a) finding real RDF kit b) buying Yagi antenna, c) buying coax cable and radio receivers to make our own A-antennas.

After we've bought or both and built the antenna we'd need to find three places to use as sigint stations and then listen it at just before 2300hrs. I'd like to roleplay that out as it' pretty crucial and I think the plotting of tracks, deducing where the cell may be and running them down on the hoof would be a fun encounter.

The other option is to ask Fuse if he can just rule on that OC too, but it feels wrong to me to do that.

Of course, we may be barking completely up the wrong tree and other people may have other ideas that we can follow up on instead.

Let me know what you think and I'll frame our next moves around the best I can from the group consensus.

I'll focus on finding Nowak.

For the direction finding how accurate can that be? The Finn lived among the people in an apartment. We get a signal and it might just go to another populated location. How then do we go about identifying the people we're looking for?

Varis is convinced the MU are behind the attack. I think it would help if McCarthy told the whole team what went down at the MU compound. As a player, I would like to know what happened as well.

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In reply to Varis Babicevs (msg # 298):

Sorry, I forgot to mentioned this. In order for JJM to just summarize or whatever, I actually revealed those hidden portions a while ago.

I think I got everything in the post.

If anyone needs more info let me know.

If anyone wants to do anything else with the day, pipe up and we can put it in. Each group has a lot to do so prioritise what you think is most important and what doesn't get done doesn't get done.

I'll be ok with time. I'm in rehab right now.  I aspirated during surgery and they put me in a coma for 16 days.

In reply to Francis 'Frank' Benucci (msg # 301):

Sorry to hear that, hope you feel better.

Much thanks.  I shall return!

Price will have asked McCarthy if he can opt out of the patrol in order to keep working on the Humvee. I need an ruling on that (OOC is fine).

Also, considering Fischer's poor knees and that the patrol is dismounted, he too will ask to be omitted from the patrol. He'll volunteer to command the compound security and keep watch on the prisoner. I need an ruling on that too.

I don’t have any objection to either request.  Presume Benucci will still be in hospital (get well soon Corkman!)

So who does that leave?

McCarthy
Ferro
Kolstrup
Babicevs
O’Brien
Lines (NPC)
Czerny (NPC)

Are all of the above going?

@Mark, is Tom going or staying to work with Price?

I’m going to be away the first two weeks in September and (probably) quite busy the last week in August. I will probably be able to post while I'm away but it will be sporadic at best so I’ll probably keep one PC back. Riedel will definitely go as the patrol might need a medic. That leaves Kessler and Walsh so thinking was to have Walsh go and Kessler stay back (there's more Kessler can do off camera in Gdansk).

<quote Michael Kessler>
I don’t have any objection to either request.  Presume Benucci will still be in hospital (get well soon Corkman!)

Thanks buddy

I think it makes sense for both Varis and Per to go on the patrol.

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yes Billy is up for the patrol.

Tom will stay. Anyone that wants to stay is fine.

My internet is on the Fritz. Engineer out tomorrow. I might not be able to post until then. It dies every 5 mins or so.

OK, I’ve posted a start to the patrol briefing to try and kick things off. I intentionally haven’t covered everything to give everyone else a chance to have a say. With regard to team assignments I’ve tried to arrange it so that people with multiple characters have different characters in different teams. Note the intent is not to necessarily split into two completely separate elements (and thus weaken us), it’s to give a degree of manoeuvrability and coordination if we need to support each other in terms of fire and movement. Also, you’ll have noticed that Kessler will be going on the patrol after all.

I think each squad has a grenadier and a support weapon. For Kessler’s squad I think that’s Czerny as grenadier, and Lines with the support weapon (Fuse, can you confirm that’s right for Lines?) but for McCarthy’s squad I’m less certain. I think O’Brien has both a grenade Launcher and a support weapon and Babicevs has a grenade launcher – @Rae / Cymon can you both confirm that’s the case?

Also, can everyone confirm whether or not they have working NVG’s? Please say one way or the other and don’t ignore this because you think it doesn’t apply to you if you don’t have a pair. Fuse, can you confirm for Lines and Czerny?

Finally, Fuse, are we able to retrospectively draw ammo / grenades etc from stores if needed?

Billy has both a working radio and NVG's and yes he has a grenade launcher as well as the MG. Cheers.

Varis has both NVGs and a radio.

Per has a radio but no NVGs.

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JJ has NVGs.

I'd like to take the PIAT with us if we can. The armaments firm are keen to see how it performs and when I chatted to them they pointed out it was good for night actions as it doesn't have a launching signature. Maybe we can take out a particular position for Osprey.

In reply to John Jameson McCarthy (msg # 313):

That all makes sense to me.

Kessler has NVG's, Walsh and Riedel do not. All three of them have radios.

@Rae, still need you to confirm whether Babicevs has a grenade launcher or not.

The Mad Dogs are free to determine their own route, though you're asked to focus on the river. Three points of interest are noted:

1) The railroad bridge. The original was destroyed during the war but since repaired. It is the only crossing from Gdansk to Przejazdowo. Enemy forces make steady use of it, though mostly in the day. Night crossings are vulnerable to ambushes. It is sturdy enough to support the weight of a tank. A long row of industrial ruins lies to the west, which the enemy patrols and has mined.

2) Przejazdowo has shared a report that one of their patrols spotted what looked like camouflage boats hidden in the underbrush on the opposite bank. The friendly patrol was unable to cross the river to confirm the sighting. This may be how the enemy are bypassing the bridge to maintain their pressure on Przejazdowo.

3) Krępiec is an uninhabited hamlet situation at the junction of three rivers. Small boats gather here in the harvest times to collect produce bound for Gdansk. The Soviets in Orunia routinely occupy the site for short periods of time.




This message was last edited by the GM at 16:31, Thu 16 Aug 2018.

Yes, he does. Sorry for the oversight.

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Ferro has NVGs.

Answered Kolstrup's question in his post.

Varis has two 40mm illum rounds, should we need them.

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This message was last edited by the player at 00:40, Sun 19 Aug 2018.

I didn't get a chance earlier but what's our call sign for this?

Report any errors I may have missed, please...

Group 1:                NVG    Radio     Special Gear

Major McCarthy       X      X       -
Babicevs             X      X       RPG-18
O’Brien              X      X       -
Riedel               -      X       Medical Kit
Walsh                -      X       M72A2(R)

Group 2:                NVG    Radio     Special Gear

Kessler              X      X       -
Ferro                X      X       Manpack Radio
Kolstrup             -      X       M72A4
Lines                -      -       GPMG
Czerny               X      X       -

This message was last edited by the GM at 20:31, Sun 19 Aug 2018.

In reply to Fusilier (msg # 321):

Kolstrup is carrying an M72A4 LAW from stores.

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In reply to Ferro (msg # 320):

How does this sound?

Overall patrol call sign: Zulu Two Zero
McCarthy's team: Zulu Two Zero Alpha
Kessler's  team: Zulu Two Zero Bravo
McCarthy: Zulu Two Six
Kessler: Zulu Two Five
Kolstrup: Zulu Two Seven

---

In reply to Fusilier (msg # 321):

Walsh has a Gdansk manufactured LAW. I think he drew it for the op at the Twins and never turned it in.
Riedel has a radio.

How much ammo is Lines carrying for the GPMG?