Four Months is the life span of our OOC it seems, before RPOL starts nudging to start a new one.

We just lost Delta/Morgan, which sort of sucks, since he was here at the start of the campaign, but he seems to have decided to give up on RPOL as a general rule, so i cant fault him.  I've left him with the Delta ID for now incase he wants to kibitz, but will remove it after the New Year, if it goes without use.

---

We have a Want Player Ad out, so i'm expecting new players to filter in over the next week or two, i figure i should provide some information for them.  Players that join before the weekend will get a small Xmas gift to welcome them to the campaign.

New Players will have to decide where they want to settle, there are three Mercenary units, and the Freelancer Pool to select from.  The Merc Units in alphabetical order are...


McMurphy's Iron Swords
Led by the Gruff and no nonsense Lucius McMurphy, the Iron Swords are use to getting dirty jobs and getting the job done.  They are notable for fielding the heaviest unit in the campaign.  While the mission might not be done neatly, the mission will get done.

Current Members
Broadsword (Command) Lance
X-3C      ~ Lucius
Falcon    ~ Hassan
Vindicator~ Malcolm


Longsword (Second) Lance
Whitworth ~ Olaf
Hunchback ~ Roger
Valkyrie  ~ Greyson Strauss




Pussycat Brigade
Led by Solaris reality holovid personality, Penny Plenty, the Pussycat Brigade is the networks, newest brainstorm to improve ratings.  Packing up their favorite Holostar, they've shipped her out to join the Freelancers, and earn some street cred working real missions, while providing entertaining footage for the Solaris Entertainment Network.  They are notable for being the prettiest and doing the most roleplaying in the campaign.

Current Members
Raven-1X ~ Penny
Jenner   ~ David
Panther  ~ Teri
Mongoose ~ Michel





Traxxian Light Lancers
Led by Pax Tarkin, the Light Lancers are known to Ninja in, Ninja out.  Zoom Zooom Zoom.  The Light Lancers are known for their speed and have the fastest unit in the game.  To provide fire support for these light units, they seem to be forming up a fire lance to support them.

Current Members
Mongoose ~ Pax
Mongoose ~ Akarian
Wolfhound~ Daniel
Spider   ~ Joaquin

Second Lance
Whitworth~ Donovan



Freelancer Pool
All mercenaries are members of the Freelancers.  The Freelancers is a organization that signs on smaller merc talents and organizes them together into a larger unit to allow them to handle larger contracts.  Members of the Freelancers come and go all the time, entire units come and go some times.  At the heart of the Freelancers is the concept of the Mechwarrior answering to no one, and being responsible for himself.

Players may linger in the Freelancer pool, operating on their own, and joining the other mercs as required for work.  You never know what you'll be doing or who you'll be doing it with.  If youre not sure where you want to go, the Freelancer Pool isnt a horrible place to be till you figure it out.

The Freelancer Pool is also home for the alts of players with two characters.  If non-alt characters in the Freelancer Pool are drafted for missions before alts are.

Current Unassigned Talent


Whitworth~ Reyvak Kellosti
Pending  ~ Damien Cole




Newbie players xmas bonus are...

75kcb bonus (not usable for purchasing mech), IS DS/HS, and a weapon system determined by the mech you pilot.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:36, Sun 21 Dec 2014.

Continued on from the previous OOC, I think I'll take the 150k.  4x ER sm lasers don't really do anything for me.

Make it official in repair bay.

Quick question - If you pull a 1 ton HS from a mech's left leg and replace it with a 1 ton IS DS/HS in the left arm, is that still a zero ton mod?
This message was last edited by the player at 00:25, Wed 17 Dec 2014.

It depends...?

Look at the IS DS/HS notes,they should say.  There were special rules for their use.

Just added Michel Dubois of the Capellan March to the campaign.

He's still looking over game rules, and deliberating over a mech.

Welcome Michel!

Thanks guys. It will probably be tomorrow evening before I can finish reading up. Out with a group of friends messing around a bit before seeing the hobbit.

Two quick questions, are the perks bought in ranks like the skills and if you buy 1 promotion at creation do you also get the 25xp bonus??

Hello, Mr. Dubois.  Welcome to the game.

Cash flow problems and not having a reason to save the weight have prevented me from moving on that install.  With 2 x Streak LRR 6s on the table, the time may be now.

You're allowed a total selection of three options.  All characters have Edge, as a fourth option to develop.  The options pretty much define a lot of your character.  You can fit a lot of roleplaying in the selection of three options and the manipulation of the three general ability stats.

If you take Leadership or Noble, you are allowed to buy a level of rank, but it will cost you 100,000cb to do so, you do gain 25xp from the promotion.  It will also take up one of your three options to do so.

Most players select a weapon option of some sort to develop, Tactics is also popular.  Leadership and Noble are good if you plan on being able to lead a unit (though it should be noted that most of the command positions are filled), X-Tech and Tinker are good if youre going EW or Scout.

I'm guessing Unit Overhead picks and Individual Overhead picks are locked in for an entire contract?

Also...

Welcome to the game Michel, it's good to have new blood with new ideas.

Usually yes, the upcoming Omni Contract, is expected to last MUCH longer than the usual three or four missions.  I will call for an 'interlude' somewhere along the way and treat is as a bookkeeping phase for getting paid and rolling availability and what not.  You'll get a chance to change stuff then.

Just Added Greyson Strauss, a Valkyrie Pilot.

The player admits to being a little green with the game system, from lack of opponents, but is interested in playing.
This message was last updated by the GM at 10:45, Wed 17 Dec 2014.

Greetings everyone, its a pleasure to meet you all.

Welcome Michel and Greyson!

In reply to Greyson Strauss (msg # 15):

Yo Greyson, are we related?

(or just like the same beer?)

Quick question:  does the bonus from BAES stack with the bonus from BTC?

No, it does not.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:47, Wed 17 Dec 2014.

 Thanks for clarifying that for me, makes my decision a lot easier... Yay Double Heat sinks!

In reply to Malcolm Strauss (msg # 17):

I have no clue, I just find the last name rather nice...

Remember when i do bookkeeping i only look at the Repair Bay.

If it's not there, it's hearsay.

I wont start working with that information till after contracts and auctions are done.

Contracts arent done till missions wrap up and auctions wont start till after mission summaries are done for the Lancers/Brigade.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:17, Wed 17 Dec 2014.

Moved, and personal wifi hot spotting with one bar of 4G... :D

Are we allowed to roll for the same item multiple times? I forget, and when I looked back through reference thread I didn't see anything about it specifically. Thought before it was disallowed though.

Succeed or fail, you may not roll for the same item more than once.

Added a summary of how a mission turn is resolved to help the newer players get a feel of what to expect when a mission is active, you're expected to check in once a day or every other day at the slowest.

If you're going to be unable to keep the schedule for some reason, you need to notify the Unit Commander, and Battlemaster, and appoint someone to care for your character when you are unable to.

While it may sound harsh, it's required to finish battletech missions in a timely manner.

link to a message in another game
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:18, Wed 17 Dec 2014.

I have on paper, Joaquin is staying with the Light Lancers, and Pax has accepted.

Hassan and Michel are still looking for homes, and eventually Greyson will too.

Greyson Strauss


You have plenty of cash, if youre planning to be in the Valkyrie for a while i suggest making it an Heirloom.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 14:26, Wed 17 Dec 2014.

good idea Kitten, I shall get right on that.

Hassan is welcome back in the Ironswords since that is where he was before the shift last mission.

Waiting for Hassan to figure out where he wants to go for a handshake.

In reply to Kitten (msg # 30):

Ironswords!

So mote it be.

That's all the seasoned talent then, just the new blood to place now.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:39, Wed 17 Dec 2014.

I feel like a dingus for asking this, but how am I supposed to talk to the leader's of the merc groups so I can be recruited...my brain is farting badly for some reason...sorry.

Well you can talk to us here in the ooc.

I'm in charge of the Ironswords.  Pax is in charge of the Lancers and Penny is in charge of the Pussycats.

well...having read the description of the pussycats, and the name in general...ill be with either the lancers or the swords...this feels rather appropriate somehow.

In reply to Greyson Strauss (msg # 35):

I understand.  We are an acquired taste.

*chuckles*

Don't let the name fool you.  That said she does prefer the women over the men if she has a choice.  Unless the man is camera friendly.

he is more camera shy, that and not one to like the attention...it gets to his head sometimes...

Penny can have an eye for the shy guy when it suits her.

That said, the Brigade is pretty happy with it's unit of 3~4 at the moment, need to confirm Mattias' status to confirm.  If he's on prolonged hiatus, we'll probably have to scamper around and find one more, but i'm not overly concerned.

Was there a X-mas list goody thing or is it rolls to try and get the new stuff?

I'm getting old and forgetful.

Go look at my newest post in the repair bay ole man.

Just an obvious observation, the personal tech, only helps with Repair rolls and mech maintenance, they wont help with scout checks, qualifying for Advance electronics or stuff that the mechwarrior is responsible for in the cockpit.

Some questions on mech modification costs.

1. Is equipment install costs still the same? E.G Base cost x (mech weight/100)
2. Removing equipment now costs the repair modifier difference? E.G Base cost x Repair mod - Base cost
3. How is repair modifier calculated?

Thanks!

In reply to Akarian Euclid (msg # 43):

1.  Yes.  {Base cost x (Mech weight/100)}

2.  Yes.  {Base cost x (Mech weight/100)}

3.  per message 1 ~ link to a message in another game
    Cost for parts. = (Cost of New Equipment / Equipment Crticial) x (Repair modifier)

    Equipment must have an undamaged critical to be repaired, so equipment with only one critical can not be repaired.

    You still need to make a Tech Roll to repair the damaged equipment.  (Repair tn adjusted by equipment (+1, +2 for advance/conjecture tech) being worked on, modified by (Character mental + Character X-Tech - 2), modified by NPC Tech.

    Use campaign PDF, page 16, for base rolls.


Very Very rarely do we need to look at repair rules, most stuff is one crit equipment going boom.  Engines, Gyros are notable exceptions, as will be large ticket multi crit equipment like PPCs and Large Lasers.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:31, Wed 17 Dec 2014.

Cousin Karl makes some mighty nice beer too!

Unit Commanders: Now that we've expanded the unit sizes I am Available to lead your second lance! Quentin is a Rank 2 Officer with Noble and Leadership 2, Missile Spec 1 with a 3050 Firefly (AMS CASE and BTC already installed) which can be set up for LRM or Streak (depending on unit needs) when I make my availability rolls.  Depending on how many availability rolls I have left over (and if they will be allowed in the coming mission) I may also come with a Ferret or two...

Right too many private pokes, i'm ignoring private message, ask questions here where someone else has a chance to answer them, or expect no answers from me for the rest of the year.  Better be skippy important and only i can answer it to get my attention, only peeps i'll answer are Lucius and Pax, since they're unit commanders.

Quentin is an alt and may not be permanently recruited into a unit.

(Thumps Quentin)

That's like the fourth time i've had to tell you that.

I hope that I got the repair bay form correct, that and im curious how many shots a ton of rockets are...
This message was lightly edited by the player at 18:25, Wed 17 Dec 2014.

Message #5 here.. this is a good place to have your game list.

link to a message in another game

how did i not notice that before...*sighs* stupid stupid...

That's why you ask questions here, many i really really dont need to be involved in answering.  Leaving me time to answer the ones only i can answer elsewhere.

okay then good to know

Ahhhhh.  OK.

Had some time to look at it rather than glance now that Pax shut down his mech.  And I only have to post for one character now.

im curious if it is usually this quiet or its just an off day for you guys...just to know the pace of this game.

Bit of an off day, really.  We're somewhat more chatty than this.  Of course, it does vary by day as well.

 At this time several units have finished their mission/contracts and are between patching up damaged mechs,and doing the book keeping for the unit. Kitty is working on experience and upgrades and switching mechs.

so i joined in while you guys are licking your wounds and getting the books done...alright makes sense...

Pretty much.

My crew just finished a messy raiding mission while the other crew is finishing theirs up.

Then we boost off this planet to return back to our paycheck's planet where we think that someone is attacking it and we're supposed to help defend.

I see...how convenient...and im generally curious about something that is pretty much only justification as to how i have my mech...

Any questions you have speak up :)

Any story reasons to bring you on board can be created between you and the outfit you end up with.  Kitten gives fairly liberal reign towards building background putting out RP in between and during missions.  Some of the background may never be touched except in conversation with your lancemates, or if Kitten likes something in in she might even add in some elements into what is going on if it relates to the greater story she's telling.

Its nothing that big, its mostly me asking if it was important at all for me to find out what house made the valkyrie, had control over a planet with no real big battles, and owned that planet from 3025 and 3030...and to note it was the fed suns

www.sarna.net has the answers you seek.

It makes for good commentary and building up how your pilot interacts not only with your fellow pilots but in missions.  Capec is Fed Suns and stays Fed with no notable battles...at least according to Sarna.  Valks are made by Corean Enterprises and Vicore both in Fed territory.

I ended up with all that info really...minus what kind of planet Capec was...so i went with grassland type...but i just cant believe the ammount of depth this universe has...and what i've seen is so...small...
This message was last edited by the player at 01:41, Thu 18 Dec 2014.

So you're looking at either the Ironswords or the Lancers eh?

Why?

the first reasoning is that I'm not a leader, I'm a follower...so making my own squad is out...secondly i wanted to be able to interact with others and not just lone wolf it most of the time, which to me would feel rather...empty without constant allies i know have my back...and three i want to actually do some good...sounds about right to me...

I'm not looking to be permanently recruited, just looking to get to play at some point, Quentin sat out M12 and M13 :)

That is the fate of most alts actually.

Adam's first chance to play was this last mission (only cause he was a 45 ton mech with both hand actuators to help loot) and you saw him get blown to hell by that damn SRM carrier.  Lucky none of that went internal...

S'OK.  Adam is used to getting blown up ;)

That is very true :P

Oh the fate of anyone playing with ammo and not having CASE.

But look at me Olaf...I got blown up and came back with a better mech even if I became a worse pilot and person.

Alts get seated a lot, ask Jake.

Ermmm... yessss.  *Returns to glass house with a half full bag of rocks*

In reply to Adam Carlyle (msg # 71):

It was rather spectacular, as I recall...

rather unexepected as i recall.

Maybe unexpected but not really unsurprising.  It was an Urbanmech with a ton of AC/20 ammo in a relatively empty torso.

Hey now...

It took multiple missile hits to the rear torso to get a critical roll to actually hit it.

It was just bad luck you blew up, but at least your still kicking around.

There were a few anxious moments when we weren't sure how it was going to go down...

It's never fun watching your team-mate blow up from an (un)lucky crit so early in the campaign.

Right, i get to start the long task of updating stuff from the long contract, so leave me alone unless i'm the only person that can deal with a prob.

Go bother Luc or Pax.

Character sheets up dated for...

Ironswords
Luc, Hassan, Malcolm, Olaf, and Roger.


These players should review the updates for confirmation.  Be aware that some of the numbers may look fudge, this is because of sloppy bookkeeping by BMs, so best guesses were made.

The cbills and xp looks good!
This message was last edited by the player at 14:58, Thu 18 Dec 2014.

Repair bay notes have not been looked at yet Hassan.

Your request have been updated though.

---

Tweaked the cost of units, nothing has been changed, just the presentation so that players can make a more accurate comparison.

The Unit cost are divided by the number of players in the unit and applied against earning each mission.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:13, Thu 18 Dec 2014.

Awesome thanks!  Hassan's looking really good right now.  Can't wait to try him out with the Falcon.

Also, thanks for all the hard work on the accounting!

Accounting all the bookkeeping is the hard part, but i manage most of the time.

I'm thinking just being a freelancer for maybe a mission or two would be a good idea...at least until I get used to the system...does that make sense random peoples?

Greyson - that's pretty much exactly what I did for my first couple of outings.  I did a mission or two with the now defunct Rat Pack then a couple trips out with Pax and the Light Lancers before finally settling in with the Ironswords.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:23, Thu 18 Dec 2014.

Ultimately it's your call.

I think that your Valk would work well in the Ironswords support lance with Olaf and Roger.

Olaf is piloting a Whitworth and Roger is piloting a Hunchback variant with LRM's.

honestly that sounds like it could work out, im just sure I need to do a mission so i know what im doing

that and i honestly need to get into the trend of asking for help...im used to being embarassed for some reason with asking for assistance
This message was last edited by the player at 17:07, Thu 18 Dec 2014.

Olaf, hows that sound to you?  Just cause I'm the unit CO I want your input cause he'll be in your lance.

A Valk QA with the LRM 10 would fit in nicely giving another long range attack to reach out and soften up the OPFOR or hammer on conventionals.

*blinks* uhh...i changed the LRM with a streak LRR...its the biggest one at least...

or at least listed that in the repair bay
This message was last edited by the player at 17:10, Thu 18 Dec 2014.

Still works.  I'm looking at swappin' my own LRM 10s for SLRRs so we'll be working in the same ranges.

ah nice, well i thought that either i hit with an LRM and may not hit with many of my missles, or lose 4 missles and hit with every one of em

A couple of new players sitting in PM, working on characters.

One looks to be leaning towards a Mongoose, the other is still in the look phase.

Then how about you join up with the Ironswords for the beginning of the next contract.  Around the mid-point, since this is going to be an extra long one, will be a chance to shift into the Lancers or Pussycats unless I'm mistaken...or if things are going well in the Ironswords you can stay.

alright, sounds like a deal to be honest

So mote it be, the Ironswords are up to 6, and in theory should be 'full'.  Lucius has the leadership for a five man unit though, so I will allow the Ironswords another recruit, if they see someone they like.

At work so I don't have all my notes. I am looking at either a mongoose or a mercury with the intent to pull the medium lasers forsmalls. One of the reasons I have been slow in finalizing things is because I've been reading through all the modification rules. Figured I'd ask some of my questions here so I can finish up when I get home.

Let's use the Mercury as our sample mech.

1)What is the procedure and costs to pull the 2 mediums to add 4 smalls?

2) IF I make the availability roll for an XL engine, what is the procedure and costs? Follow up would be using the additional tonnage for maxing armor, then adding small lasers or heat sink if I start to have too much heat accumulation.

3) MASC ... same as engine, cost and procedure

I know the last 2 will require lucky rolls, they are just goals for the design. The issue is can I actually do all of that and what type of costs would I be looking at.

I am building a fast knife fighter, so I am trying to figure out what I may eventually need so I can plan an appropriate path.

Too bad I can't get a Charger, lol

On mobile at moment so not going to try an answer everything, but I wouldn't count on affording an XL engine. Cost is listed in the reference game under mech modifications. I was looking at it for a mongoose and it was going to cost around 1.6 million.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:41, Thu 18 Dec 2014.

I have 4 ER Smalls coming my way, I'll trade for your Meds if that makes for an even swap in your eyes Michel. Won't have to worry about availability rolls that way, and we both have things we are looking for. Let me know if that works, and we can work out the details with the BMs for approval in that case.

Not sure how all that stuff works in the repair bay (Character Overhead, the Techs, etc). Its still a little confusing to me. I'll take any explanation to simplify things.

1)  Modification rules are mostly outlined here...
link to a message in another game

First thing would be to calculate the Modification cap.

A 20 ton Mercury has a base modification cap of 2 tons (10% of it's weight), which is enough to remove the two lasers.  If you wanted to change more you need to have something on your character sheet to indicate the character is bright enough to manage what they want to have done.

Removal of the (2) ML is pretty easy, you pay the labor to have them removed.

40,000 cb (cost of ML) x .2 (Mech Weight / 100) = 8k cb to remove one laser, 16k to remove both.

You now have two Medium Lasers lying around to throw in your inventory or to sell off.  They're a common and popular weapon so selling it to a player or your unit inventory shouldnt be an impossible option.  You're saving someone one an availabilty roll if you sell to another player, though selling to the market if youre lazy works too.  If you have no plans to use them, either way you should make about 80k cb on the sale.

You need to have (4) small lasers on hand to install.  Since this is a new character, making availability rolls for your starting mech is ignored unless youre looking for 'advance' tech (non-3025).  Cost for (4) small lasers is 11,250 (x4) = 45k cb

Labour to install the Laser is same as to remove it.

45,000 cb (cost of 4 SL) x .2 (Mech Weight/100) = 9k cb to install four lasers.

Now you need to look at where they go.  Removing the Medium Lasers gave you a critical location in the LT and RA.  So your first two go into these locations.

You have two SL left to install and no open criticals.  At this point all excess equipment needs to be installed on the arms.  So you decides to put all the lasers in the RA, so you can keep the LA free to punch or put one in the LA, so that if you lose the RA you dont lose all the lasers.

---

17k for labor
45k for (4) SL
62k Total Cost, not bad when you consider you made 60k off the sale of the Medium Lasers they replace.

This is originally listed as a 2 ton modification, but Medium Lasers and Small lasers are both considered Energy Weapons, so you may count the replacement of a Medium Laser with a Small laser as a downgrade, which means that swapping out two ML for two SL counts only as One ton towards your modification cap.

---

2) Read message 6 ~ link to a message in another game

3) MASC is considered Advance tech and you need to make a roll to find it.  If you find it, you pay the cost to buy it, then if you have the space on the mech, you pay the cost to install it.

 It should be noted that MASC requires a tech skill of '2' to use properly, for each point you lack, increase the chance for a 'freeze' result by one.

 I'm making a logic call here, that installation criticals for MASC needs to be made in the legs, as long as you have an open critical to use in the leg, you may/must install MASC in that critical.  If you do not have an open critical in the location you need to move something (1/2 ton mod) to make room for the MASC.

Look over the this thread for campaign interpretations of equipment, cost, and expected availability rolls.

link to a message in another game

---

Engine modification, especially XL, are not to be taken lightly.  I think XL engines are a fast track to the poor house, but i allow them.  MASC is just tech.  There is no available roll listed because the cost of the equipment varies which make the availability roll varies, i'm not going to work out the TN unless it's for a live project (this is all hypothetical).  Having MASC free can also get you dead fast, not bad in a table top game where the mech is expendable, in a campaign game... it could mean starting over with a new character, if you accept these risk, more power to you but i dont want to hear it when your mech freezes in front of a Demolisher backed by a SRM Carrier.

You dont have to worry too hard about character overhead, you can do nothing and take everything at 'free' levels.  You're still affected by unit overhead though.

Your X-mas bonus will probably be a choice of one of the following 75k cb, IS DS/HS, or (2) ER Small.  So you can plan according to that.

Joaquinn's offer to swap (2) ML for (4) SL is not a bad thing.  Though if he doesnt want the ERSL, he should just consider taking the 150k cb, and rolling for parts... It's worth a lot of cash in his pocket.  (or take the two IS DS/HS)
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:57, Thu 18 Dec 2014.

Should be home in 3ish hours and will look to finish up.

The problem with the ER Smalls is that you have said they aren't covered by Close Assault Tactics skill so switching standard smalls for ER smalls would be counter productive. So many things to consider! :-D

In reply to Michel Dubois (msg # 105):

Close assault is actually an option that has been phased out, but i'm allowing it since there seems to be renewed interest in it.  It was always meant to function for weapons limited with a maximum range of 3.

This description may change, but at the moment, this is the official version on the books.

---

ie.  I would consider allowing them to be used with ER SL, but only at a range of 3 or less, might be okay, i'd have to think about it.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:46, Thu 18 Dec 2014.

I thought about that too.... the $150k CB is a NICE gift. However, if allows me to swap things without having to make a roll, that eases the process a little bit in my mind to begin things. That would be a HUGE boon to the mods I want to make starting out.

but.... youre trading the stuff away so i'm not sure what youre saving, ML rolls are pretty easy to make.

Its a TN6+. Not too bad. I was thinking it was one of the higher ones I had looked at.

Up to you Michel. If not, I'll switch to the $150k then.

I dont look at that stuff here JOaquin, go edit your post in the repair forum so i can find the information when i look for it.

Lancers/Brigade are wrapped up so I'm going to finalize that bookkeeping.

Auctions will end within 48 hours of me wrapping up the contract bookkeeping.  So if theres stuff there you want, get your bids in.

Will salvage amount be restricted by storage space or is store for missions with no resupply lines?

does someone know how i can heirloom the val im in...cause kitten suggested it but truth be told i don't know how to do that minus ask her nicely to deduct the C-bills and just say its as such...

ALL Lancers please check our Unit's ready room thread.

Heirloom mech cost is a percentage of the mech value.

so...would that be something i jot down in the repair bay so kitten knows? since i cant access my sheet or anything...

Sounds like a good place that she will be sure to look at.

Unless you're walking off with an entire mech or tank, Salvage goes straight into unit stores.  If you dont have the space for it, then you either have to throw stuff out to make space, or wave it good buy.

Entire tanks/mechs are an exception.  A value will be applied against it, and 20% of it's estimated value will be handed over.  That's double the normal salvage of 10%.  After the contract, the mech will be available to purchase by any member of the unit for 'normal' cost (you still have to pay a finders fee,but you wont need to make an availability roll)


[You're essentially doubling your money for salvage, by not using the Freelancer salvage units for recovery.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:21, Thu 18 Dec 2014.

So if your salvaging with a 9.5 ton vehicle you better have extra space to store your loot.
Sounds like the unit storage allotment may need some tweaking.

If you only have the single Karnov, and it shows up for salvage operations it can cart off up to 9.5 tons of 'stuff'.

It might be less, but it's a cap on the stuff.

It's not all bad news, after you fill up the unit space, you have an opportunity to 'use' the stuff, or sell it off to various members of the unit that might want it.

After the contract is over, you can sell it to anyone in the campaign, or dump it in the open market for list price.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:54, Thu 18 Dec 2014.

Are any more auctions being added? Trying to avoid availability rolls if item or buy auctions will be happening.

not sure if there would be a point in putting my LRM 10 on the auction block, since im sure those are common.

Buy Auctions are a thing of the past, it's all about availability rolls now.  It's better this way, the auctions will sell you availability rolls, or a bonus to them, and then if you win them, you use them for whatever you want, so they're equally useful to everyone.

Yeah, I'd just sell the LRM 10, to large to keep around and you really wont find a buyer for it in the unit.

Mmmm okay, well I was also wondering about promotions and experience buys, etc.

In reply to Akarian Euclid (msg # 123):

No Promotions or xp buys this time out, they're around in many auctions, but they're not a guarantee to show.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:20, Fri 19 Dec 2014.

o.O

That 150k cb xmas bonus looks so good, but i'm never going to have a chance to get a plugsuit anytime soon either... >.<  (ponders ponders)

Too bad I can't buy your plugsuit off of you Penny ;)

You'd rip the seams and ruin it.

:P

I know they have one in my size...already wore it.

It wouldn't be to wear yours it would be to get it off you...

Technically, that was an Infantry Suit, not a mech warrior one, that might bean occassional amazonian omni infantry cadet that might have ended up using.

you never actually wore the blue ones used for mechwarriors.

Technicalities :P

You know me Kitten, I like to buy stuff that really I have no use for or don't use for mechanical aspects but use them as RP...if I bought Penny's Suit I'd have her sign it and I'd stick it in a case.

heh, that's pretty funny, oooook ay, wary from looking at numbers all night, i'm off to bed.

Pussycat Character sheets have been updated, including Regina since she was part of their unit the last time around, that just leaves the lancers to work out.

Get bids in on the auction, i'm going to probably finish bookkeeping tomorrow and end the auctions sunday so i can get on with other things i need done.  (like availability rolls)

cant do that till after the auction to see who wins the availability auctions.

What are the equivalent titles for nobility, ie, rank 0 noble, rank 1 noble, rank 2 noble.

Also, the Well-Equipped option, it says its benefit is +1 level to equipment availability.  What exactly does that mean?  Is it a +1 per level to availability rolls or does it open up more equipment that others might not have access to.

AND another question (thanks for your patience lol) does Close Assault Tactics also cover physical attacks like kicking, punching, or hatchets?
This message was last edited by the player at 05:33, Fri 19 Dec 2014.

Does the Beta Actuator Enhancement System (Arms) modification also apply its physical attack bonus to kicks? Given it says All I assume so, but then legs, spell out kick explicitly, so I want to make sure its not some exception.

Varies, even in Mechwarriors they dont have exact titles, you can be a knight on a major world or Count on a no name world in the periphery or you dont need a title, Penny's Nobility is a reflection of her popularity and stardom on Solaris as a media personality.

It's open to interpretation, within reason.  As long as youre not making yourself a name in a major house or something, I'm pretty open to letting you work it out yourself.

It should also be noted that this is 'recognized' nobility, so you can start it out as a zero or one, and then when you increase it to nobility two or something, it means someone died and you moved up in noble caste system... etc.. etc... really... open to interpretation, just nothing god mongerish and we'll be fine.

BAES Arms, affects punches, melee weapons, and weapons with the arm in question  (Installs in one arm, affects one arm, not both)

BAES Legs, affects kicks, and pilot checks.  (Installs in both legs)

I may need to go back and rework the xmas bonus a little, maybe BAES as a generic gift was not the best idea... >.>

Oh... Right... Added two new players to the game and should have a lurker soon that may or may not join after he finds some time.

Reyvak Kellosti is in a whitworth.

Damien Cole is working on a character.

Michel Dubois, still working on chracter,

Really all you need to place in a unit at the moment is the desire to play, name, and mech.

So Reyvak may seek placement.   Cole and Dubois just need to settle on a mech then they can seek a unit to join too.

---

Regarding unit over head...   Currently they are...

Ironswords ~ 78 480cb / 6 members ~>  about 13k cb per mission  (It can only go down from here)

Pussycats ~ 9 840cb / 3 members ~> about 3k cb per mission, (expected to adjust down)

Lancers ~ 2 380cb / 4 members ~> <1k cb per mission, (no expectations on trend)

Freelancer Pool ~ 0cb ~> Zero overhead, but youre fending for youselves and you're floating around between merc units.  Not a bad thing if you dont mind having the backing of a merc unit to help you when things go south.

By... popular request, will add two promotion auctions, for characters that have no rank.  One for officers, and one for non-officers.

Dang... should have taken leadership or noble option so I could get in on that officer auction.. <kicks the dirt>

Grand Caliph Hassan has a nice ring to it!

Hahaha

I totally would have loved dealing with that in my unit ;)

Bid on the NCO one you dope.

Have what?

Have loved dealing with you my dear :)

How's the reading coming?

Enlightening!

Blake was Brilliant!

That was the hope.  Glad you enjoyed it :)

Okay Contract Four updated.

Character sheets should be accurate.

Repaired Pax's Engine and Gyro hit,and it's noted on the sheet.

Repaired Dano's Engine and Gyro hit,even with the xmas bonus, he's in the red, but his mech is whole (merry xmas).  Now he just needs to make some loot to get in the black again.

That means there really is no reason to delay auctions.

They're up now all day.  AUCTIONS resolve TOMORROW.  Newbies can bid on them, if they're quick.  (hint: you really want to look at consider bidding on the promotions...)


New Players need a name and a mech to bid on the auctions, we can take the bids out of the auction as you figure out your character, but the auctions close TOMORROW...

Auctions only come around at the end of the contract, which is after three or four mission, which is around three or four months to wait for, so players usually wait and wait and wait to bid their money on something, so if youre a newbie, i'll give you a hint, the promotions are a good auction to consider bidding on.  A rank is cool, and the 25xp is very worthwhile.

Right... that's it... mm...

Did i mention Auctions end tomorrow?  No bitching if you dont get your bids in.

either im being a derp or im missing something...how do i enter the auction cause i keep looking at the auction house and only see posts...unless the bids are invisible...

Right... newbies...

Bids are secret.  YOu make a secret bid with a private message tag to GM.

Then when the bids over, everyone gets to see the bids and groan if they over bid, or laugh if they bid too low.

First auction house bids are a little strange to most players till they've suffered it once or twice, then they get to laugh at the fumblings of the next batch of newbies...

(hugs)

think of it as hell week.  Go ask your local unit commanders (if you have one) for help.

sorry for being a newb kitten, and ill make sure to bug Luc instead

In reply to Greyson Strauss (msg # 149):

Naw, everyone was new once.  This time next year you'll get to see a new batch of peeps fumble through the system.

It's really easier/simplier than it looks at first glance.

Are you still updating sheets Kitten? Mine doesn't seem to be updated at all. (Also I technically don't seem to exist in the book keeping unit rosters anymore either.)

Its not a giant deal since I can just add up CB/Exp from the master book keeping bit, just it sounded like things were done.

In reply to Akarian Euclid (msg # 151):

My bad, you feel between the cracks, you were part of the Legion, and then part of the Lancers, and you fell between the cracks, updating you now, should be done in five or ten minutes from this post. now.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:35, Fri 19 Dec 2014.

not sure if my sheet needs to be updated as well...given the repair bay stuff I have listed... but you dont have to rush for me kitten, its mostly so i know how much cash i have to work with during the auction's to come.

Repair bay stuff doesnt get looked at till after the auction.  Auctions will have an impact on what happens on repair bay request, so that stuff isnt looked at currently.

It's a dance between what you have, what you don't have and what you will have.  Even us more experienced peeps get them mixed up from time to time.

Expected order of things for everyone...

12/20 ~ Auctions wrap up

Next ~ Repair Bay Stuff starts getting looked at.  Availability rolls are approved and start to be made.

Next ~ Equipment sales between characters/units are made.  Unit commanders need to track/approve this.  They submit it to me, and i do bookkeeping based on what they give me.  If they give me nothing, nothing changes hands.

Next ~ Mech upgrades/modifications start being made to accomodate new equpment/mechs are reviewed.

Next ~ Character overhead is finalized.

Next ~ Records are finalized.  Notations are made on your character sheet and Unit records.


Unit commanders have other things thrown in there that i'll give deadlines for and answer, but theres no need to clutter the list with stuff you dont need to worry about.

If you look at the work behind the scenes, it's mind boggling, it really is.

It's my campaign, so I wont let anyone else touch this bookkeeping, because i need the peace of mind of knowing that if theres a screw up in the numbers it's my fault and no one else is accountable or to blame but me.

I chop up the work into smaller steps and phases, that i make sure everyone one has completed before moving on.  At the moment i've just accomplished wrapping up Contract Four, and bookkeeping the xp and money made over three missions.

ive also set up the auctions, and i'm waiting for that to resolve.

Now while i wait for auctions to expire, i'll be laying the ground work to putting the roleplaying in to set up for contract five.  Players are free to participate with their view of what they're doing during that time, sometimes i give out rp xp, sometimes not.  The point isnt to get xp, but to rp, because you want to.

Then i'll probably bother the unit commanders into figuring out what mission 14 will entail and typing up mission 14.

Trust me... i'm not sitting idle ignoring you for no reason.

If we have multiple points of edge, can we use it multiple times during availability rolls? :)

In reply to Akarian Euclid (msg # 158):

yes.  but like all rolls, each roll can only be affected by edge once.

Ok, I am almost done, I just need three questions addressed and I should be able to finish.

1) Are mechs considered equipment for the purposes of "It fell off a truck" which gives a +2 to one availability roll for equipment?

2) The Well-Equipped option, it says its benefit is +1 level to equipment availability.  What exactly does that mean?  Is it a +1 per level to availability rolls or does it open up more equipment that others might not have access to.

3) Does Close Assault Tactics also cover physical attacks like kicking, punching, or hatchets?

I can answer the first one...

No.  Asked that one before :D

The second one was originally designed for infantry characters for picking up gear and likely does not apply unless you are trying to get a custom las-pistol and tailored suit to wear outside your mech.

Third. No, that is what the Melee skill is for.

Semi-related question: where was the TN 'formula' for mech availability mentioned?  Was it ever formalized or just mentioned in an OOC somewhere I'll have to dig through?

Here...

link to a message in another game

Down towards the bottom in the post called: Tech Availability - Mechs ;)

Didn't know it had been formalized, thanks!

I don't see a melee skill in the PDF.  See Ballistic, Missile, Energy, Close Assault Tactics, and then the Infantry skills.  Is it in a post somewhere and not on the pdf?
This message was last edited by the player at 16:02, Fri 19 Dec 2014.

Its a Physical option.  You can take 'Physical Combat', which affects Punches, Kicks and Hatchets (and other melee weapons).  It's not a popular Option, Hassan is the only other pilot who knows Mech-Fu.

Message 7 is an updated list of options.
link to a message in this game

If you plan on being small for a while, you can look at Light Mech Specialist too, which gives you a bonus to anything pilot related (like punches and kicks and stuff), but limits you to a 30 ton or lighter mech.


Warning ~ Option Specs are due for an overhaul.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:32, Fri 19 Dec 2014.

In reply to Kitten (msg # 166):

Hey All, just saying hello, i just got added. Have a question.

My Battle Tech Knowledge is way more "3068", so I don't really know who to be affiliated with.

Also, I am not sure which of the 3 Character Packages to choose, would appreciate any notes anyone can give me to choose.

I look forward to playing a battle tech game again!

In reply to Reyvak Kellosti (msg # 167):

Default characters are all simple characters that will give you a Gunnery of 4 and a pilot skill of 5 or 6.

They have very little depth but they'll get you in the campaign with an 'average' character.

The differences mostly being the money you have available to spend on mechs.  It should be noted that this money comes from the starting option, do anything for money, which trades xp for cb.  So which 'package' you should take depends on what mech you want and how much you need to get it.

In reply to Reyvak Kellosti (msg # 167):

Honestly mate, while it has been a lot of reading, I think you'll be happier with creating the character using all the options.  The packages are very basic and will get you in quick, but I've enjoyed reading through the rules, seeing new options, and asking questions for clarification on stuff.   I will say, that if I'd read more before my actual RTJ I might have tried to create an Eden pilot! :-)



Now, I am almost done with character creation, so this will be for the unit commanders.  I have posted a description of my character and would like to be recruited...who do you guys think I should join?

*grins*

The Eden characters have been phased out mostly.  There was for awhile an all Eden unit but with the stuff going on story wise they were all retired mo-less.

Depends what youre looking for...

The Iron Swords will give you large mech support, and offer you big scraps, for maybe big bucks.

The Lancers have two mongoose and a spider in it, and will provide good movement profiles to  fight with.

The Pusscats are cute, with an eye for roleplaying and having fun.

Figure out what you want to play with and go ask to join.

Yes year will probably be spent working out their demise and near if not total extinction from the campaign.  Should be a lot of fun.

There will be a lot of nudges and winks between old old players in the know, like the use of Megan in the RP post.

In reply to Kitten (msg # 172):

Ok, I will look more and find the stuff to build a full character, I think my mech costs 2.9mill cbills. Its a Medium One, cant recall its type at the moment, but its in the RTJ, and it fits my play style. Frankly, I will likely play myself as my main character.

In reply to Reyvak Kellosti (msg # 173):

Im sorry, but I cant seem to find the PDF file i found before, Is that where the full Character builder information is? Can someone point me to it, there are a lot of links and I am still figuring out where everything is.

In reply to Reyvak Kellosti (msg # 174):

Make sure this game is on your sticky list.

link to another game

Link is in this thread:

link to a message in another game
This message was last edited by the player at 17:44, Fri 19 Dec 2014.

(what he said)

See asking questions in OOC is much faster and useful that poking me in PM.

In reply to Reyvak Kellosti (msg # 174):

The game is a bit like the kitchen at your best friend's house.  After awhile you just kind of know where everything is...

When I lose track of something I google it (for reals).  Usually a search for RPOL Mechwarrior Mercenaries with a few other words will put you onto the right thread.

*laughs*

That's really funny.  The campaign is searchable on Google.

(pokes all the new newbies)

Right... roleplaying is optional around here, you can get around okay doing nothing but chatting in ooc and rolling dice, but were on RPOL, and the first two letters are Role Playing, so i'm going to presume that you want to do that too.

You're pretty much free to make a character history, and i wont nix it unless youre doing silly things like being the lost cousin to melissa, or Takashi's favorite newphew or something like that.  As long as your history doesnt interfere with 'big' events, i'm pretty good at stamping you to let you have fun your way.

You post in the RP thread, and if peeps are interested they'll participate in what youre doing, or (like often in Regina's case) just read and be amused by it.

The backdrop story for all new players has always been that you were always in the Freelancers.  The Freelancers are a large unit made up of several companies of mechs.  Only a fraction of them are part of the player campaign.  Your character simply moved in different circles, or was a floating freelancer working with other units and has only recently gotten around to working with the player units in the Freelancer unit.

So you dont have to come up with a complicated awkward reason on how you got in the unit.  You were always here, we just never noticed you.

(Kitty yawns and waits for auctions to expire and unit commanders to determine what mission 14 will be)

Can someone explain how the Character stuff works...

Example, I want to Take Exceptional Attribute, how does that work, because there isn't any thing listed for rank 1 or 2. Does it cost 50 automatically? Kitten said in PM that i have to put XP into it that I earn from missions, so I guess I cant use my starting XP to improve th Exceptional Attribute from level 0 to 1 or 2, but I still don't know how it works to do that. I understand that for every 1 XP i put into the Attribute i choose i effectively get 2, but its the Mechanics of the Exceptional Attribute Perk itself I am not understanding.

Also, there are a few option/perks that don't list any benefits per level you invest, so I am assuming they probably follow similar, mechanics.

Exceptional Attribute is like a multiplier bank.

You start at 0 and you head out to do actual missions and get XP from them.  When you pull in 25 you put them into the Exceptional Attribute to "buy" rank 1.  In return you get 50xp out (it doubles your earned xp) to put into the attribute that you took it for.  Like all perks/skills there are only two actual levels.

headed out to get baby from school, but just added a friendly lurker to the campaign.

Jonathan Forrester doesnt have time to actually play at the moment,but i added him so he can kibitz with us and learn more about the campaign, offline for a bit as i deal with stuff.  as luc if you have questions about stuff, he knows most of the answers.

In reply to Lucius McMurphy (msg # 182):

Ok, so, I think I get it. Makes Sense. Are all Options similar? What I mean, is that, do Options all options require me to actually obtain Mission Experience to increase them, or is that just the way this particular one works?

That is how that specific one works.

Unless my memory is faulty that is the only one that works that way...under the premise of doing it the 'hard way' through actual xp gained in combat you get more out of it.

All the other ones can be increased by XP gained from auctions, promotions, missions or anything else.

Of course another quirky one is the Energy Weapon one as it takes double the xp to raise it (50xp to get rank 1 and 100 to get rank 2) and takes two skill/perk slots limiting your options.

(ponders)

Not listed in PDF, but option specs is being added, something i'm working on.  After you have two levels in an optin you can pick up a spec to develop.

Also working on overhauling EW.  To allow it to do 'stuff'...

Two quick examples would be the EW piloting making a roll to exclude friendly units from being jammed by their Guardian.... or making a roll to share the targeting bonus of an active beagle probe with nearby friendly units.
This message was last updated by the GM at 20:29, Fri 19 Dec 2014.

just to ask...is regina usually like that?

No not normally.

Normally she's a space cadet fanatic to the words of Blake.  But between major contracts her strange dominatrix side comes out.  Though now she's two for two in breaking my XO's.

i see...thats not good at all i think...

*laughs*

Breaking my XO's?  No it's not good at all.  Luckily I've got Olaf who has resisted her charms who I can always toss back into the spot.

It is funny to see happen though.

yeah...im curious is she bounds, gags, and drags them to her hidden lair and does these little shorts...

It was only a hour... i figured he'd manage a hour... he was doing okay till i started feeling at one with the word of Blake and went with the flow...
This message was last edited by the player at 20:43, Fri 19 Dec 2014.

What is the purpose of Conventional Transports and why would I want to acquire one?

*makes note to avoid the siren*

Luc you handle this one, i'm working on over hauling EW.

If you gotta go, can you think of a better messenger to send you to Blake?

That is why I gave her the call-sign Siren.

Conventional transports are something that usually only the unit commanders buy and become part of the unit overhead.  They are used to pull salvage from the field when possible that either becomes additional C-bills in pay after the fact or actual assets like heat sinks, lasers, ammo, armour and such.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:49, Fri 19 Dec 2014.

well i would prefer keeping all my body parts in proper condition...and not blaked to death

Good plan Greyson.

Thanks Kitten, my mind was thinking about the possible specs and it slipped my typing.

Im always impressed by the bids players put in.

Is that a polite way of telling us that we seem to have more dollars than sense?

In reply to Kitten (msg # 200):

This is how I interpreted that statement.

Every bidder:

No, that i made a mistake with the auctions, the Officer Promotion auction is invalid.  Anyone that qualifies for it, will have bought rank from leadership, so no one qualifies for the auction.

I was wondering why no one bid on it.  (facepalms)

Well it was a found auction, so if no one bid on it, it's no worse than if i never added it.

I think I fit in best with the Lancers if they need another member.  I could fit in with Penny's group as well... who needs me?  :-D

Your fighting style is old school Ironswords not new school.

But if the Lancers or Pussycats aren't interested we're always happy to have a few more interested in getting a paycheck and taking a few knocks to get them past the wet behind the ears stage ;)

I was told there is some sort of penalty for Hazard Checks, possibly related to the Javelin 1F

What is this penalty?

While there are many mechs that don't have specific 'flaws' or 'benefits' that are mentioned in the fluff about them there are a few that do have quirks.  Javelin was always known for being top heavy and is harder to keep on it's feet in difficult terrain.  It translates into a hazard check penalty.

Ostscouts are known for their sensor suites, Shadow Hawks have the most comfortable cockpits while Wolverine's have some of the most cramped and Hatchetmen have their entire head eject rather than just the command chair that the Mechwarrior sits in.

Stuff like that.

some quirks are rather neat sounding then, but sadly i never found any quirk for the Val...
This message was last edited by the player at 06:26, Sat 20 Dec 2014.

Ahh, ok, well, I am looking for a Mech with all or almost all Energy Weapons... That one seemed to be the best in the Light Mech Category, but if you guys have any insight for a newbie, let me know.

Also, Is anyone in need of a Light Mech Pilot for their unit?

The Valkyrie is a solid stable mech.

Most pilots start out as light here and most stay that way.  You'll understand why after you play for awhile.  Depending on your cash good all/most energy mechs can include...

Wasp-W, Stinger-G, Mongoose, Javelin-F, Firefly, Spider, Jenner-f, Panther.

Really is all depends on what you want to do with the mech, what your skills/perks are and what your long term goal is.

Thanks, I think I will deal with the Penalty and keep the Javelin. But I have about 400,000 cbills, anyone have any advice for a newbie, on what that money might be best spent on?

Can someone point me to the rules for how  the personal technicians work?  I cant seem to find them... thanks!

Armor, internals, and save some for repairs.  Some of these missions go bad... like real bad.



'A pair of stripes ain't gonna fix your mech son.  It's like people already forgot about M9 and Normandy.'
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 11:08, Sat 20 Dec 2014.

To be fair some of them weren't around for them

I would add Wolfhound to that list too.

Though really if youre willing to put a little time and care into modifications, the bigger concern is not weapons, but the size of the mech and movement profile.

It's much easier to modify the weapons you want onto the mech, than to rework the movement profile.

Also keep in mind speed really is a fine asset to have on the battlefield, but it comes at the expense of other things, usually weight to modify to tailor the mech to your liking.

---

Resolving auctions now btw...
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:37, Sat 20 Dec 2014.

o.O

Well auctions are finished.

Since Auction 6 was a snafu auction, and Auction 2 seemed so popular i gave the top two winning bids the win for Auction 2.

Breaking out the popcorn to watch the drama...

Heh...

Try it from my cheap seats.

Okay.  Let the mayhem begin.

Will be looking at availability rolls..

Accepting equipment sales and transfers between characters/units.

Character modifications...

Mech modifications...

and all that other good stuff.

Must be documented in the repair bay.

What would the availability roll be for an X-3A?

All this time Eden Power loaders have been around and no one wants them ,  and not they're being phased out and they're in vogue.

you're all killing me ~!

Okay let me figure out the damn rolls, youre not the only one interested so i'll work them out.

KILLING ME!

Maybe the Eden Power Loaders are marked down on the Clearance Rack?

Didn't think dudes could start with them.  Then kind of forgot about them.  Then realized the 6/9 version has the option of going 7/11 with a melee weapon.

Think about it this way, I got the 3025 TRO when I was 14 years old several decades ago.  Just read about power loaders 7 months ago.

It takes a while to accept new things when you get older.  :)

On the plus side you already have TNs for the X-3, X-3a and X-3c.

Unless you're going to change them of course.

(hides under the rug to work out personal numbers)

I had asked about the x-3a as well...changed my mind when I realized I was only going to have 3 weapons and the hatchet/sword so I went with the mongoose... then, last night I started running some numbers on the mods I want to make for the mongoose and realized I'd still probably only have 3 wpns  + a hatchet lol. The only time I will have more is if/when I get an xl for the mongoose. Oh well, live and learn! :-D

On to other things, I will be out most of the day. At one of the local stores running a fairly large (2500-3000 tons) battletech session for a group of friends!

good morning everyone, how are things going? and have fun at the battletech session Dubois

Kitten, are we rolling availability rolls ourselves now? Or figuring out TNs rather given it seems to be standardized now?

Asking as I remember this being handled differently in the past, and me screwing up :)

Also welcome new folks.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:21, Sat 20 Dec 2014.

You may make rolls, i will be watching the die roller and rolls, you roll it and win or lose that's a used availability roll.  Rolls are standardized, and your modifiers are noted in the repair bay if you have a question about them, not it before you roll, if you won a die modifier put it in the die roller that you're using it.


In the past i didnt have a list of equipment and availabiility rolls posted and ready to go, along with adjustments.  I do now so, yeah go crazy peeps.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:28, Sat 20 Dec 2014.

Great, I'm boosting mental up to 2, which should grant a +1 modifier if I understand it right.

Correct.

what do i roll with so i dont mess it up?

Can't find TN and cost for Streak LRR.  Is it TN 8+ Cost 60,000cb per ton (Standard TN +2, cost x 2, 1/2 ton per roll - same rules as Streak SRM)?

Correct.  So you can purchase up to 1.5 tons for each successful roll.


(Dont forget to multiply the cost for ammo by .4 to 'install' it into the ammo bay, since youre doing work on the ammo bay to convert it to use the new ammo.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:30, Sat 20 Dec 2014.

o.O

Depends what youre rolling for?

Well dice roller is favoring me it seems, I'm quite happy :) time to go shop for furniture though. If anyone is interested in selling me 2+ tons of FF though or needs some ML/LML feel free to PM me :)

If i werent so broke i'd be interested in the LML, unfortunately i have to plead poverty.

I can afford ER SLs though, would like to pick up a pair, offering 50k cb (list) for two if anyone has any they're looking to shed.

 im rolling for availability kitten

uhm.... New players havent been added to the roll list yet, mostly because i'm waiting to finalize character sheets to determine modifiers.

If you have a complete character sheet, give me a poke here or ask your unit commander for help to determine adjustments to tn.

or... you can look it up here.

Message 1
link to a message in another game

Going offline for a bit, was mucking about overhauling the Infantry to make use of Total War rules.

LRM infantry included, but using Total War rules for infantry, so a 'random' number of them hit each turn now which makes them less deadly.

If it's on the list that Kitten already has I can help with figuring out the TN's for anyone that wants the help.

Also if you look in the Repair Bay thread and scroll down to message #79 that Adam Carlyle made you can see how he made his rolls in the dice roller.  Make sure to always list in the rollers 'reason for' what you are rolling for otherwise Kitten will either consider it a failed roll even if it was a success or ignore it completely :)

(... and still charge you an availability roll for it ...)

*ponders*

Right, so it looks like my fourth is missing at this point, so i'm down to a unit of three, not terrible since we can always pull Freelancers in to make mission requirements, but we have space for talent it seems.


Willing to go on record to extend offer of membership at this time to
Michel Dubois and/or Reyvak Kellosti.  We're at the size at the moment where we can take them both in and function fine.

Alright, my rolls are done.  Don't worry about the power loader.  I did roll for salamander HSs, so hopefully those are still in the game.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:47, Sat 20 Dec 2014.

Power Loaders in any shape or form, not available.

With Omni being invaded, they wont have the Power Loaders to spare to sell, so those are off the market.

Kitten, have you considered creating a Want Ads thread where players can list what they have for sale and what they want to purchase?

Done here in OOC.

First time were working through a down period with these rules, so i'm not sure yet, most of it's being done locally, and theres discussion done on the unit level.

Count me in.  You may need a pretty boy who has won many dancing awards and accolades!!  Plus...I somehow ended up with some rank...must've been my father pulling strings!! :-D

Wanted to stop in and say hello.

For now, I'm just lurking.  Life is too hectic for me and I'm involved in too many things to be able to devote the time necessary to be able to play.  At some point in the future (hopefully) everything will settle down and I'll be able to start playing.

About me:

I've been playing Battletech since the late 80's.  Spent 6 years in the Army and 4 years in JROTC.  I've studied military history and tactics since I was in high school (41 pushing 42 now).  Personally, I'm a bit of a jack of all trades.  I've got 5 kids and an odd sense of humor.  I know a lot about special operations, while I was nothing more than commo while I was in, I've known 2 SEALS, a Green Beret, and a bunch of Rangers (both tabs and scrolls) over the years.

What I'll most likely play:

Light to Medium scout/recon force with a focus on asymmetrical warfare.  So, yes, I am one of those rare BTech players that actually LIKE Lights and Meds, vehicles, and infantry.  And Arty, jeez I just LOVE Arty (the Infantryman's best friend).

It is glad to hear from you lurker person, and i cant wait for you to join, hopefully before or around the next bidding war

In reply to Jonathan Forrester (msg # 248):

Sounds like you should fit in. Campaign is based on light mediums.

 No art yet at least not yet.

Added Michel to Pussycats.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 12:35, Sun 21 Dec 2014.

Current numbers have...

The Ironswords with six.

The Lancers with five.

The Brigade with four.

First message of this thread shows more information.

Waiting on Reyvak to settle in some where, and Damien for character generation.

New Player Note

Keep in mind you get three availability rolls for character generation, and were in the middle of bookkeeping at the moment so you get another three.  (total of six)

This is to help get you on more even footing with more veteran players

(UGH)

I Feel like an Arms dealer.

Right as a Freelancer, my allowed equipment storage is turning finite so all the toys that i've bought need to go somewhere.

This is what i have available for sale.  Modest mark up on everything to reflect the auction cost that i coughed up.  First come first serve.

7.5 tons of Ferro Fib.  Sell it off for 25kcb per ton.  All sold to Hassan for 187 500cb.

1.5 tons of Endo Steel.  Selling at 100k cb per 1/2 ton.  Limit 1/2 ton per character.
0.5 tons sold to Akarian

(2) Streak LRR6s.  Selling it off for 65kcb each
Loaned/leased out to Olaf

(1) Streak SRM4.  Selling it off for 105k cb

2.5 tons of Streak SRM.  Selling it off for 60kcb per ton.

(Whatever doesnt sell i'll just have to cough up Inventory space to hold.)
This message was last edited by the player at 17:38, Mon 22 Dec 2014.

Hmmm... not sure I have storage for this...
This message was last edited by the player at 13:57, Sun 21 Dec 2014.

Yeah, know the feeling that's why i'm selling.  The 7.5 Tons of Ferro bought in bulk,is actually enough to Armor up a 35 ton mech though it take 6.5 ~7.0 tons of the stuff to outfit a 35 ton mech properly.

I'm using Endo Steel, so i cant use it.

I was saving it for a second mech, which, is still a little bit off.  So better to sell it to someone that can use it, than hold it forever.  (If it's on your mech you dont have to 'store' it)

Though you do end up with a pile of standard armor lying around, but if youre in a unit you should have a ready market to unload those is the theory.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:00, Sun 21 Dec 2014.

Ok, you are a good salesperson (Hassan has learned not to use man at the end of everything thanks to his classes).

I'll buy it.  7.5 tons @ 25K
This message was last edited by the player at 14:03, Sun 21 Dec 2014.

Sold~ !

(hands over sales slip and points out the warehouse where to pick it up)

Lucius has Ferro too, incase you want to just have some in inventory.

Ask around and i'm sure you should be able to unload the std armor some where.

Currently did repair bay stuff for the Pussycats and Freelancers (They're the smallest groups and easiest to work through)

Completed...
Pussycats ~ Penny, David, and Teri
Freelancers ~ Adam


Incomplete and waiting for player (though contract xp and cb have been updated)
Pussycats ~ Michel
Freelancers ~ Big Jake, Quentin (availability Rolls) and Regina (Selling off her stuff)
Lancers ~ Akarian (availability Rolls)

(Quentin, you have to change your last name, i've already noted that you have to have a really good backstory and reason for me to approve the use of a character affiliated with the Big Houses, they wouldnt normally be working on a backwater periphery operation like the campaign is based on.)


Will be looking at the ironswords next, because they're ahead of the paperwork curve.

The Lancers are still working over the results of the loot they got from Mission 13.

Working on characters based on the availability rolls i see being thrown in the Dice roller, since you rolled it, you keep it is in effect.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:07, Sun 21 Dec 2014.

Quentin, I have a Streak SRM4, if youre interested,not as quite the 5 youre looking for, but it may fit better than that SRM5, youre looking for.  It's 1crit, and will swap with a LRM5 or Medium Laser with much less work than the Streak S5, which will need 2 criticals.

Either way... if you pick up your Streak Laucher, and need ammo and dont want to waste the availability roll.
[Frowns...

 xmas bonus has killed the value of my Streak L6s...  May have to carry those unless someone wants to pick one up to hold in inventory in case they take battle damage and lose one.]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:35, Sun 21 Dec 2014.

UGH.

okay just decided to put up my Endo Steel too...

Its not going to be cheap though.

I have 1.5 tons of the stuff, and I'm letting it go for 100kcb for Half a ton.  (Fought through ugly auctions to get it, so i dont feel bad about charging these prices, sorry.)

I want to spread the sale of Endo steel around, though so i wont sell more than 1/2 a ton to any one person.

100k cb sounds steep, but if youre only 1/2 ton from getting it installed on your mech, it's probably going to look like a bargin.

I'll pay a 100k for another half ton of endo, just so I have actual repair pool of the stuff to some degree, *watches my bank empty as quick here as it was yesterday with furniture.*

In reply to Akarian Euclid (msg # 262):

SOLD~

When upgrading to endo steel, do we have to pay to remove the standard internals? At which point they would also become inventory?

Also can someone chime in exactly how repairs with the personal technician works? Is this in addition to personally made repairs or unit repair pools?
This message was last edited by the player at 17:09, Sun 21 Dec 2014.

In reply to Akarian Euclid (msg # 264):

Yes, you need to pay to remove Internals, you need to pay to install Endo Steel.

I just went through this with my Raven.

For your mongoose.

10  kcb To remove  2.5 tons of Internals.  ( 4k per ton)
12.5kcb To install 1.25tons of Endo Steel  (10k per ton)


You end up with 2.5tons of Internals lying around.

Thanks Penny, now I just need to wrap my head around repairs exactly, and it seems likely adjust inventory limits some more.

In reply to Akarian Euclid (msg # 266):

Since youre on Endo Steel sell the internals to the Lancers, or another player.

I could probably use some internals for my storage being that I'm all new.   :)  How much do you want for it?

Right so I find myself with a few bits and pieces that I might be open to letting go if anyone is interested.

2x Light Medium Lasers - 85k each
This message was last edited by the player at 18:45, Mon 22 Dec 2014.

Really Really hard to use Endo and Ferro together, especial with the Beta rules, that has each using 20 criticals.

Work out that you have enough criticals before you buy a pile of stuff you cant use...

Default Criticals would be...
Endo  ~> (6) Crits RT/LT and (4) Crits RA/LA
Ferro ~> (6) Crits RT/LT and (4) Crits RA/LA

That uses up all the RT/LT criticals and All the Arm Criticals on the Mongoose, and that's assuming you dont have equipment installed in the locations.

At most you have (7) Crits to work with, 1 H, 2 CT, 4 Legs.  The benefits really become suspect when you look at what you're coughing up.  You save 1/2 ton on the armor, but you're crippling your available critical.  A DS/HS might be better, since it saves you an entire ton, on Heat sinks, and only costs you (2) Crticials.

Just a thought on the number crunching ami...

Yeah I was looking at that as well, with both taking up 20 criticals it's pretty difficult.

Hmm are we allowed to remove engine heat sinks than for DS/HS? I can't find any reference to that at the moment.

Yes you may.

1/2 ton mod to move a heat sink, youre moving one from the engine onto the sheet where you can modify it into a DS/HS

pay the cost to remove a heat sink,

pay the cost to install a DS/HS.  It was mentioned in the thread somewhere when they were first introduced as available in the campaign.

Keep in mind youre allowed only one DS/HS in the RT, LT, RA, and LA, for a total of four DS/HS so you wont ever see a mech with more than 4 DS/HS.

a departure from the use of DS/HS to keep things game balanced.

A forty percent increase in heat sinks for no weight is pretty nifty.

A lot of DS/HS went out so... be happy, or be worried about what's coming, your call.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:49, Sun 21 Dec 2014.

So does this also mean you could simply remove 2 heat sinks from the engine.as a 1 ton or 2 ton mod, and install a double externally, replacing the two removed heat sinks capacity wise, and also freeing up a ton of space to use else where?

You will always need a minimum of 10 heat sinks.  No shirking that :P

I will accept Penny's Offer.

Groovy Rey ~

Hassan is offering 7 tons of Standard Armor for sale at cost on a first come basis.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:19, Sun 21 Dec 2014.

Lucius, I have a question for you.  Now, I am expecting the answer to this question to be no but a question can't be answered in a positive way if you never ask it!  So here goes...

Lucius, oh wise leader of the Ironswords :-D , I noticed that you have 2 tons of Beta Targeting Computer and I was wondering if you'd be so magnanimous as to trade me only a small 1/2 ton of it?  This mongoose would look so wonderful with some accurate fire from its er smalls!!

(*laughs in the background*)

That's like asking me to hand over my Plugsuit...

I know.  That is why I said I knew the answer...but there is always a chance that he is in the x-mas mood and says yes!!

In reply to Michel Dubois (msg # 280):

If he was, i'm sure there would be a line, he got those on introduction and have been hording them since.

Any one selling FF Armor?

or

Standard Armor?

In reply to Big Jake (msg # 282):

I'm selling 2 tons of FF 50k and it's yours.

Im selling FF armor as well for the same price jake

Selling 7 tons at cost - 10K per ton.

(Pokes Michel and points at the FF Armor vendors)

you wanted some FF armor btw Hassan?

In reply to Greyson Strauss (msg # 287):

Yep, I'll buy 2 tons at 25K to the first person who responds in this channel and confirms the sale.

o.O

Sucker prices . . .

Gotta work harder to pull one over a gal from Solaris.

you have a deal hassan...now how do we confirm this sale
This message was last edited by the player at 01:51, Mon 22 Dec 2014.

Well bid and done.

there ya go kitten, everything i have is taken care of, and i still think i have 200k left in reserve for emergencies

I'll take 2 tons of Stnd Armor Hassan.  Just need enough to fix some holes if they occur.

Sounds good.  I'd rather sell this to a player than sell it back to the market and someone later has to make an availability roll to get it.

2 tons to Jake for 20K total.

Post it in repair bay otherwise its just chat.

In reply to Hassan al-Nasir (msg # 294):

Done

In reply to Kitten (msg # 295):

im all done now kitty, you can finish up my stuff now if you want

Unless Jake gets money for some reason he is done.

Anyone interested

1.0tn Hawkeye LRM  - selling
1.0tn Artemis IV - selling.  Not sure if its the ammo or system yet.

It's the system.

Artemis IV aids the missiles in increasing the number of hits.

Got a ton or 2 of that left?

Anyone got 1.5 Tons of Endo, and/or Up to 6 tons of Ferro?

Yes.  2 tons of Standard Armor to Pax @20K total - updating my repair bay entry now.  You should do the same so Kitten sees the transaction.  Thanks!

PS: Still have three tons looking for a home.  Otherwise it goes away and someone makes an availability roll for standard armor in the future.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:40, Mon 22 Dec 2014.

Progress good.

Pussycats mostly finalized, just waiting for Reyvak to throw some dice around.


Lancer's reviewed, need to know what's happening to unit salvage.  Anyone that wants anything from the Unit Inventory needs to pay at least Market Value to take it.  If more than one person wants it, Pax gets the final call on who gets what.

Waiting on Pax and Daniel to throw dice around, and for Joaquin to finalize mods.


Ironswords need a bit of work.
Olaf and Roger are finalized.
Malcolm needs dice rolls.

I need to review Hassan, Lucius, and Greyson's stuff.


Freelancers.  Mostly done.
Quentin needs to roll dice.
Regina needs to wrap up her arms sales.

Reggie is right.  I've been holding onto 2 tons so that I can tie it into that ER PPC that is in storage that I recently picked up and now just need to finish the setup with a mech to load it on.

Now.

I'd be willing to part with 1/2 a ton if you can get me a line on a Plugsuit. :D

You have better prying the TC out of Luc's dead hands.

If Michel wants 1/2 ton of Endo, I'll turn over some for 100k cb.

Huge mark up,but that stuff is popular.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:38, Mon 22 Dec 2014.

I'm just saying he seems to be more...refined...than Luc and might be able to 'dance' his way convincingly into someones bed and convince them to sell off a plugsuit.

Luc's a bit more rough around the edges.

No.

He has the that zoolander look to him...

No.

Just say no to poofs.

No. No. No.

*shrugs*

I've got the good shaved head thing going down...

Is he a dancer like Kevin Bacon was in Footloose or like Chistopher Walken in the video for Weapon of Choice?  Cause those two dancers were badass.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:18, Mon 22 Dec 2014.

For really really old players of the campaign, Svend, from the wild stallions game, is returning to us.  I however have to go get the baby at the moment, so i'm going to rely on Luc to get him settled and up to speed.

It's always good to see old faces again :)

As Kitten mentioned, you need any info Svend and I'll be able to answer most all of them.

Baby home, so doing stuff, and at most only doing light battletech stuff, a snafu this morning has thrown me off my pace, so i'll work on finishing stuff up tomorrow.

If you have outstanding dice rolls, best get them in, because i'm pretty sure i'll be closing the repair bay down within 72 hours so if you having finished your stuff and it closes, your stuff will have to wait till the next contract bookkeeping to resolve.

im curious if i actually did the repair bay for myself correctly...which is what im hoping for.

To be honest you had so many rolls and i'm so clueless on what youre in the middle of doing i'm holding off on it till i have a clear head.  Saving all the hard stuff for tommorow.

sorry for being confusing kitten...at least i sorta tried to tally up all my costs and made a seperate list of what i needed done to my mech....if that helps at all

Looking forward to jumping into the old Firestarter again and joining in on some fun! I always did love this character and what a well placed flamer strike could do.

Greyson mostly done, didnt do the DS/HS since you didnt specify which hs to swap out.

It's xmas eve and you peeps are probably doing last minute shopping and tommorrow is xmas day so youre spending it with family.

Would like to see all the repair bay stuff done by 12/26 (three days from now).

That will let me finish up final bookkeeping and get us started on the next mission on time.

Svend is being picked up by the Iron Swords.

With great regret, we seem to be losing Hassan.  I'm hoping it's only a temporary hiatus, but this might be a final good bye, please join me in wishing him well, and having hopes for his eventual return when he sorts things out.

Hope things get worked out so you can come back to us soon, Hassan.

Otherwise, best wishes in RL!

Hassan, come back when you can, if you can.  We will still be here.

Yes, I hope everything goes well for you Hassan.

Oh that's unexpected, best wishes and a hopeful return Hassan.

Ditto, well wishes and hopes for a return.

Didn't get to say this earlier but...

Good to have you here Jon.

Like Kitten said we don't have arty par-say but we do have a variation on laser-guided LRM and SRM's.  If you find time I'm sure you'll be quite welcome here.

Happy Holidays all~

Svend, you made it in before xmas, so you get to pick out a holiday bonus too.

75k cb, IS DS/HS or (2) ER SL.

Player looking to make a character with a Polish background, does anyone know anything about where this nationality settled in the Battletech universe?

I'm thinking the area in the Rasalhague league was nordic, which feels close to me, but that's like horseshoes, and not necessarily completely useful.

Yay! Merry Christmas! I hope whatever holiday you are celebrating everyone has a great time.