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09:26, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

[OOC] Chapter Three.

Posted by TegyriusFor group 0
Cooper Williams
player, 140 posts
Petty Officer, RAN
Spartan-117
Fri 23 Mar 2018
at 13:29
  • msg #830

We interrupt this program for Battletech! 

Jordan Weisman invokes XCOM when talking about the new turn based Battletech (2nd video):

http://store.steampowered.com/app/637090/BATTLETECH/
Tegyrius
GM, 814 posts
Sat 24 Mar 2018
at 14:29
  • msg #831

Re: FPCON CHARLIE

Hannah Omdahl:
That is likely on Teg's side.  Either the sheet isn't active/created or is doesn't have its edit privileges set correctly at this point.


You are correct, and that should be fixed now.  Should be.
Tegyrius
GM, 815 posts
Sat 24 Mar 2018
at 14:33
  • msg #832

Re: FPCON CHARLIE

As for the possibility of other programs running parallel to TF47... let's just say that Blue Book was not the only UFO investigation running, and certain other areas of the world have UFO lore that's just as well-developed as America's.  If there is player interest along those lines, I will develop those thoughts further...

Andrey is currently a roaming TF47 friendly who I can use as needed to inject outside investigation material.  :)  He was released from Russian service several years before the events of this campaign, so he's not personally aware of any equivalent projects.  Though he may be asking questions of his old co-workers now...
Tegyrius
GM, 816 posts
Sat 24 Mar 2018
at 15:22
  • msg #833

Re: FPCON CHARLIE

It sounds like the general area of interest for the next mission is something proactive against the invaders, yes?

If so - I have three thoughts for the next AO.  Let me know which locale sounds the most interesting:

• Syria, during or after Turkey's 2015 counter-terrorism surge;

• Ukraine, as the Donetsk conflict winds down into sporadic cease-fire violations; or

• Cuba, immediately after the Obama administration's "Cuban Thaw."
Michael Dacovetti
player, 389 posts
Tech Sgt, JSOC JCU
keys138
Sat 24 Mar 2018
at 15:30
  • msg #834

Re: FPCON CHARLIE

Cuba sounds cool, followed by Syria for me.
Sebastien Durand
player, 498 posts
DGSE
Dave Ross
Sat 24 Mar 2018
at 16:46
  • msg #835

Re: FPCON CHARLIE

In reply to Tegyrius (msg # 833):

I'm totally fine with any one of the three.
Michael Dacovetti
player, 390 posts
Tech Sgt, JSOC JCU
keys138
Sun 25 Mar 2018
at 15:18
  • msg #836

Re: FPCON CHARLIE

Dear Santa,
This year when chasing aliens, I want:

https://forensicstore.com/product/witsse-kit-v-18/
Cooper Williams
player, 141 posts
Petty Officer, RAN
Spartan-117
Mon 26 Mar 2018
at 10:45
  • msg #837

Re: FPCON CHARLIE

I'm up for Cuba if that works.  Better diving than either Syria or Ukraine...  :)
Hannah Omdahl
player, 256 posts
CWO2, U.S. Army
dcoda
Mon 26 Mar 2018
at 22:37
  • msg #838

Re: FPCON CHARLIE

An Aussie in Cuba?  What is the world coming to?  ;)

Diver is right, best swimming of the three options.  But then, we fly all the way back to Turkey, just to fly back to Cuba?  *shrug*  I'm game.
Michael Dacovetti
player, 391 posts
Tech Sgt, JSOC JCU
keys138
Mon 26 Mar 2018
at 22:52
  • msg #839

Re: FPCON CHARLIE

Coda, that post was awesome.
Hannah Omdahl
player, 257 posts
CWO2, U.S. Army
dcoda
Mon 26 Mar 2018
at 23:08
  • msg #840

Re: FPCON CHARLIE

Michael Dacovetti:
Coda, that post was awesome.

Thanks, Keys; right back at you.  It is always cool to see that Michael has this whole other life that the others are willfully ignorant of.

To be honest, my posts are just a simple attempt to keep up with everyone else.  Everyone does such great work, it is really fun to read everything.  The interlude posts are always really fun to read as everyone bounces off in different directions - but, always seems to be able to maintain a good sense of the overall narrative and structure.  A bit scary, really...
Hannah Omdahl
player, 258 posts
CWO2, U.S. Army
dcoda
Wed 28 Mar 2018
at 04:14
  • msg #841

Re: FPCON CHARLIE

Tegyrius:
Michael Dacovetti:
And no one here is a weak link.

^^^ This.

So, I am just wanted to say, I know that this chapter took a long time to complete (and I am sorry for my contribution to that situation, Teg).  But, I just reread the entire Chapter over again ('cause you know, I'm like that; I just have this OCD thing ... er, nevermind), and it was absolutely friggin' awesome, everybody.

I thought that everyone was in great command of their characters and that Teg wove together an excellent narrative.  All the investigations/interrogations, the raid, the boat chase, Hawkin's house (and dog), Belize, debriefings, everything.  Great.  Stuff.  You know, Dancer's fall still hit me in the gut rereading it, even though I knew it was coming.  And despite the PCs going all over the place sometimes, somehow Teg keeps everything quite tightly woven - and still manages to flesh out plenty of sweet NPC interactions (I loved the pathology tech's reaction to Dealer's lockdown order).  Kudos everyone; I am proud and honored to be a part of this group (even being the slow member - don't deny it, I have the worst posting rate of all of us... Mea culpa).

And a special shout out to Teg, I really appreciate you running this game.  Thank you.
Tegyrius
GM, 817 posts
Fri 13 Apr 2018
at 23:01
  • msg #842

Re: FPCON CHARLIE

You guys are all awesome.

So... I have good news and I have more good news and I have temporary bad news.

Good news 1: I am going to keep running this game.  Wanted to get that out of the way first.

Good news 2: I have a contract out for some RPG work.  I'm on the hook for part of Book of Oblivion, the first supplement for Wraith: The Oblivion 20th Anniversary EditionWraith and I go way back, so I was fortunate enough to work on Wr20 a few years ago, and I'm glad Onyx Path asked me to come back for another round.

Bad news: This assignment is going to consume most of my already-limited writing time for the next couple of months.  Accordingly, I am going to reluctantly put Grey Cell on hiatus until the week of June 4th.  I'll still be around (and I'll try to keep up with Rae's games in which I'm a player) but I need some breathing room while I write about ghosts.

Aftermath thread is still open.  Talk amongst yourselves.  :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:01, Fri 13 Apr 2018.
James Choi
player, 420 posts
Special Agt, FBI HRT
Raellus
Sat 14 Apr 2018
at 20:25
  • msg #843

Re: FPCON CHARLIE


Congrats, Teg.

-
Cooper Williams
player, 142 posts
Petty Officer, RAN
Spartan-117
Sun 15 Apr 2018
at 13:24
  • msg #844

Get your TR1 on

Yeah, congratulations Teg.  Here is some inspiration for you: http://ironwindmetals.com/stor...s/btmechs/20-621.jpg

Ok, maybe the wrong kind of inspiration, but inspiration nonetheless.  T-minus 9 days!
This message was last edited by the player at 13:26, Sun 15 Apr 2018.
Tegyrius
GM, 818 posts
Sun 15 Apr 2018
at 14:57
  • msg #845

Get your TR1 on

I'm so annoyed.  I'm going to be at a conference on release day and my laptop is below system minimums.
Hannah Omdahl
player, 259 posts
CWO2, U.S. Army
dcoda
Mon 16 Apr 2018
at 01:43
  • msg #846

Get your TR1 on

I concur with the others, congratulations are in order!  Always nice to be able to make some money while doing what you are passionate about!  The game can wait, I am sure that we will be here when things calm down for you.

I will try to to get some more up in the Aftermath thread.  The next two weeks are pretty crazy for me as well - lots of RL deadlines and multi-day meetings, unfortunately.
Tegyrius
GM, 819 posts
Sun 10 Jun 2018
at 17:26
  • msg #847

Get your TR1 on

*reads Keys' latest IC*

*delightedly eats popcorn while trying to get out from under additional freelance assignment*
Tegyrius
GM, 820 posts
Sun 17 Jun 2018
at 23:35
  • msg #848

Options

Hey, team.  I've been thinking about this campaign a fair amount lately and realized I should probably share those thoughts with y'all, as a similar "state of the game" discussion is occurring in one of Rae's campaigns.

I have an idea of where to go with the next mission - we decided on Cuba, and I think it'll be a follow-up on one of the leads that was dangling after things wrapped up in Miami.  However, I have to admit I've struggling with focus for writing in all of my PbP commitments these days (have been, I think, since I took the new job last year).  So I'd like to get a general status check from everyone to see where your drive and interest are with regards to Grey Cell.  If enthusiasm and availability are there for everyone, I'll try to get my shit together and resume aggressive GMing.

Having said that - I feel like the quality of story I've told has declined over the three missions.  Part of me is seeing the wisdom in something one of y'all said after the Libya mission wrapped: maybe we should have said, "damn, that was a good story," and ended it there.  My plotting hasn't been as tight as it could have been and pacing and overall speed have suffered as a result.  So if the group's feeling is that it's time to step back from this story, I will not be hurt.  Or if some adjustments need to be made to the structure of this game, I will entertain those suggestions, too.

As always, I have a bunch of other campaign ideas in my head, should we want to try something else.  Honesty compels me to admit, though, that I may not be any better at maintaining focus in one of those than I have been here.
Michael Dacovetti
player, 393 posts
Tech Sgt, JSOC JCU
keys138
Mon 18 Jun 2018
at 00:46
  • msg #849

Options

For my part, I’m really enjoying this game.  The characters are good, the writing is solid, and the XCom universe is just fun to play in.  I’d be sorry to see the game end.  Although if you’re not feeling it, I can understand the reluctance to resume.  I don’t think the quality of the story has necessarily declined, but maybe the pacing needs to be adjusted.  None of us want to play a constant battle scene, even if investigation scenes tend to lag.  It’s trying to find that balance we’ve talked about before.

My vote is to continue!
James Choi
player, 421 posts
Special Agt, FBI HRT
Raellus
Mon 18 Jun 2018
at 01:49
  • msg #850

Options


I enjoy the heck out of this game. I echo Key's observations. IMHO, the story-lines are one of this campaign's many strong suits. Teg, you are an amazing story-teller.

I've already admitted that, sometimes, I'm not sure how to approach posting. There have been a few instances where I read the GM turn post and I can't pick out a thread to play with in the GM turn posts. In that case, I usually wait until others have posted and then try to riff  on that, or I bug Teg with questions via PM. I don't want to be led around by the nose, but a little more direction (option A, option B, 'other') would be helpful. I realize that, for a GM, this can be a fine line to tread, as I stated over in our Pharos discussion.

I'd like to continue. I want to know what happens next!

-
Sebastien Durand
player, 500 posts
DGSE
Dave Ross
Mon 18 Jun 2018
at 14:44
  • msg #851

Options

Keys pretty much called it on all counts as far as I can tell. I think everyone knows that what I actually know about X-Com could be written on the back of a postage stamp but I’ve never felt like that’s caused any challenges, I guess if anything it keeps everything fresh for me as I don’t have any clue as to what might be coming next.

So yeah, more than happy to carry on. I also don’t get too bent out of shape if things lag a bit, e.g. during investigation phases. I’d rather take it slow and steady and keep up the quality writing on all sides than rush things.
Hannah Omdahl
player, 261 posts
CWO2, U.S. Army
dcoda
Tue 19 Jun 2018
at 08:10
  • msg #852

Options

I'll just join the chorus here.  I love the game, but recognize that it is a lot of work for you, Teg.  I am willing to ride this bus until the wheels fall off (or I get kicked off), but that is much easier for me to say and do than for you.

Additionally, I recognize that I am the slowest to post generally; so, I am probably the largest contributor to the slow down of the game.  And for that, I profusely apologize.  Though, I will also admit that I don't mind the slower pacing.  Yet, I also recognize that it can hinder the game and be frustrating at times.  Details and enthusiasm can wane during longer lulls, it is almost inevitable.  And I am willing to bow out, if it means that the game and the rest of the group will benefit from it.

As previously noted, I don't bring much knowledge to the table.  Yes, I have played X-Com, but that was a long time ago.  My knowledge of military protocol, nomenclature and tactics are extremely limited.  And my organizational skills and memory aren't that great any more (funny how a few years of sleep deprivation can affect you).  So, I often need to be reminded about details, story, and plot.  Again, mea culpa.

And yet I love to RP.  So, no matter what, I have had a great time with the game and the story.  Everyone here is a strong writer.  The story is compelling (even for someone that has played plenty of X-Com back in the day), in turns it is surprising, familiar, scary, heart-rending, and comical.  A wonderful overall package and a tribute to the group, but especially on account of you, Teg.  I am always humbled and honored to play.  And as I said above, I am more than willing to continue to play as long as I am allowed to.

As the major contributor to the success and quality of the game, Teg, your health and sanity are paramount.  If you need a temporary or permanent hiatus from the game (and/or the group and general RP due to RL commitments), then so be it.  None of us can really gainsay something like that.  And only you know, what you want (and whether you are getting it) out of the game.  If you still find the game fulfilling and want to continue to play, then we do it.  If not, or you want to do something else.  Then perhaps it is time to move on.
Cooper Williams
player, 143 posts
Petty Officer, RAN
Spartan-117
Wed 20 Jun 2018
at 00:50
  • msg #853

Options

I'm happy to continue with Grey Cell, though I'm intrigued by the idea of trying something new and different as well.  I greatly enjoy playing with everyone here and far more important to me than what we play, is that we play together.
Tegyrius
GM, 821 posts
Thu 21 Jun 2018
at 01:40
  • msg #854

Options

I totally don't deserve you guys as players.

Okay.  I'll start working up the introduction and briefing posts for the next mission.
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