Again, thanks to all players for timely posts. There are a couple of PMs underway, so the Judge is waiting to give PCs a chance to follow-up before proceeding. Expect to post next narrative 24 hours (ish) after this post.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 932):

A couple of players for whom the Judge left PMs with notes about their stated actions didn't log in yet. That, coupled with the Judge's morning schedule, means that the Judge will post the next narrative this evening.

FYI, the Judge is traveling on business this week. This could cause delays in Judge posts, but it probably won't be any significant delay.

Jake is the last PC to post . . . but he has logged in an communicated with the Judge in PM, so giving him another 24 hours.

All PCs have posted; the Judge is beginning the adjudication of the round. As noted earlier, the Judge is traveling on business this week so less flexible than usual in regard to timing of posts. Expect to see the next narrative in 12-24 hours.

Four of the six PCs have posted since the Judge's last narrative, which was posted 48 hours ago. JEB and ENS remain to post.

If JEB and ENS don't post within 24 hours -- or if another PC doesn't post for them in that time frame -- those two PCs will do nothing this round.

The Judge intends to post the next narrative approximately 24 hours from this OOC post.

The Judge is beginning adjudication of the current round.

JEB posted a PM to the Judge saying he would need to drop out for a few days. That means another PC will need to post on his behalf, at least for the next round.

A volunteer may step up and announce himself in this forum.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 939):

Art and JEB are the remaining PCs to post. The Judge has RL issues himself after a week of business travel, but is planning to post in roughly 30-32 hours.

As per the Judge's previous message in this OOC forum, JEB has indicated he will be out of the game for an undefined period of time. Another PC must post for JEB, or he will do nothing this round except defend himself.

Art posted a PM directed to Travis, on which the Judge was included and he logged in today, so the Judge expects a post from Art within the next 30 hours.

The Judge appreciates Art's actions on JEB's behalf. The Judge is going to modify things slightly as he adjudicates.

First, JEB has an opponent directly in front of him as per the map, who fired upon JEB with a sawed-off shotgun (as per the narrative). That will be JEB's target. Second, as with all PCs using Full Attack to take two firing actions in one round, the second shot has a reduced modifier (all second attacks are done -5 BAB). The Judge will adjust based on those two facts.

In regard to reloading Art's Colt -- it takes 4 full rounds to accomplish that task, as per page 137. That video was interesting. Here is the Judge's takeaway and ruling, posted here to ensure fairness and understanding among all participants under the well-balanced rule system (at least in the Judge's estimation).

The video is 10 seconds long. That is effectively 2 full rounds of gameplay in this game, even if someon were an expert at the task, in ideal circumstances. So at minimum, that would establish that it takes at least two full rounds to replace a cylinder in the Colt. The person demonstrating did this at a table with the replacement cylinder close by and easy to pick up, not to mention the ability to set down the hogleg for a moment. And without any apparent distractions (such as being in combat). In a combat situation, for which the reloading rules are designed, it seems plenty fair to say that extra time beyond that video demonstration would be required (continuing to defend use one's dexterity in defense, reaching into a pocket to drop the old cylinder and replace the new cylinder, etc.).

The Judge stands by the rules, as he has for other PCs attempting to reload their respective weapons. It will take 4 full rounds for Art to replace the cylinder, having spent one so far, with three remaining. Art will need to state his intent to continue with the reload for each of the next three rounds, as they transpire, or state a change to other actions if circumstances make that necessary.

Cole Trayne was attempting to reload the same model weapon, without a replacement cylinder. In PM, he and the Judge discussed the timing as per the rules and what it might mean if he were to abandon his attempt to reload and instead continue to fire the half-loaded weapon.  Similarly, JEB had started to reload his Spencer (without a spare cartridge) and then chose to fire instead of continuing with the reload task -- and the Judge applied the appropriate action requirements for that choice to be effective. Of course, Travis Sunday, who knows the rules well, has stated his actions for reloading his Starrs, declaring the overall time it would take him to accomplish the task -- and the Judge had confirmed with Travis that he would need to break it down into the required full round actions in gameplay, stating his action each round (as to whether he continued to reload or switched to different actions each round). As seen in this rounds actions, Sunday stated his intent to continue the reloading process, for the 2nd full round action of the process.

The Judge mentions these to further demonstrate that the rules are being applied to all characters evenly, as written, based on the type of firearm employed.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 941):

The Judge is beginning the round's adjudication.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 941):

Understand the four rounds. Round one just past. Will the next shot happen on on the fourth round or on the fifth round, please. As it stands for now:

Start of round 1
"Reload" Art calls in Travis' general direction.

In one smooth motion Art stoops down, drawing a fresh cylinder from his pocket. With the rounded edge he loosens the pin holding the barrel.

Start of round 2
Pinching the pin in his left thumb and forefinger it is extracted and the barrel pulled away.

Start of round 3
The cylinder with six fresh rounds slips on followed by the barrel and the pin is returned.

Start of round 4
Art's left hand drops the spent cylinder into his pocket while cupping the revolver in his right. His fore and middle fingers drive the pin home.

This is the round in which Art will be able to fire, either a part of the 4th or the 5th.
Now rising from his crouch - his left hand partially extended to his left side, fingers splayed; in his right he levels the Colt as thumb draws the hammer.

In reply to Artemus Carson (msg # 943):

Art will be able to fire in the 5th round. The key here is "full-round action." Each round has a free action, move action and an attack action (and an attack action may be converted to a move action). A full round action uses both move and attack. Therefore, the reload spec for the Colt being 4 full-round actions, means it won't be complete until the end of the 4th round, thereby enabling firing with the attack action in the 5th round (or Full Attack if two attacks are desired, usable by Art because he has BAB +6).

FYI, haven't heard from JEB again yet, so one of the other PCs should plan on posting for him, as of now. Of course, if he logs in before that happens, that's great. Still at least 24 hours before the "someone else must post rule" so we'll see.

Just putting it out there so you all don't forget. Fine with me (and I assume others) if Art does it again.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:33, Tue 07 Nov 2017.

Art's post for JEB exceeds the action limit for a round. Art has PMed the Judge and we are discussing changes.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 946):

Atremus Carson has amended his post for JEB per the Judge's kind and patient guidance.

In my distant and misspent youth I remember watching the movie "Circle of Iron" and this quote comes to mind:

Cord:
How long have you been blind?

Blind Man:
How long have you been blind?

Cord:
I'm not blind.

Blind Man:
Am I?

Cord:
Do you answer every question with a question?

Blind Man:
Do you question every answer?

Cord:
Aww, talking to you is like talking to a wall.

Blind Man:
Buddha once sat before a wall, and when he arose he was enlightened.

Cord:
Do you compare yourself with Buddha?

Blind Man:
(chuckles) No. Only to the wall.

If you meet the Buddha, kill him. (逢佛殺佛)

— Linji

Sheriff Beauregard, nice to have you back. Artemus did a terrible job running your character while you were gone.

Hope all is well.

The Judge is proceeding with the adjudication of the round.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 948):

I have looked at Zetan's book of of enlightenment - and did kill Buddha.

Welcome back, JEB.

It is now 48 hours since the Judge's last narrative and most of the PCs haven't posted actions.

Travis' had pre-stated a series of full-round actions (reloading). Cole, ENS and JEB will need to post with 24 hours, or somebody post for them, or they will do nothing this round.

The Judge is beginning adjudication for the round. Won't post the narrative today, probably -- giving Cole a chance to respond in PM re: possible misfire and giving myself time to do the rest of the work and write narrative -- but certainly within 24 hours of this post.

The Judge is curious ... to what "high talk of honor" is JEB referring?

It's been 48 hours since the Judge's last post. All PCs except Artemus have posted. The Judge assumes that Art will complete his reloading this round, as planned. Waiting a little longer before beginning adjudication -- the Judge has a couple of PMs out to players and would prefer to get a response before moving forward -- with the intent to post in roughly 20 hours.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 954):

Mr Xu and this honorable quest, but the hbd represent the other side of that coin no doubt.

Oh, and time for a new thread!