Andy,

No worries!

Regarding any negotiations with the Trolls, I feel this can easily be handled by NPCs like Keith.

However, I want to stress that any player who wishes their PC to be a part of this process can do so, and I welcome anyone who wants to take a lead role in negotiating with the Trolls.

That said, if the players want to leave the talking for off-scene we can concentrate on other, more interesting situations.

Tony

Group,

To be clear, sound off in or out of character if you want your PC to be included in negotiations with the Trolls, should that happen.

I am assuming not (except for Kieth, who's an NPC) but even so please post something IC that indicates your characters are present and conscious during the briefing so we can wrap that up and move on. Thank you!

Tony

Just so everyone is aware Seth is just trying to understand why we weren't told about the plan for the flares in advance or told they were friendly once they appeared and to establish how we, as a team, are supposed to be operating.  We seem to be being used as ignorant minions and Seth doesn't like that! <G>

In reply to Seth Joseph Delaney (msg #184):

Andy,

Have you heard the expression, "this is not a democracy?"

We're sort of having a collision of military and civilian culture, here. A civilian expects to be told these things and feels slighted when they aren't, a soldier would not, or at least expect things to be different.

You areminions! You're part of the chain of command and there were operational necessities to take into account.

Where there's a whip, there's a way!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-tjJDFfjQw

I hope this

Unfortunately it's not in the right timeline to be referenced but while writing Seth's latest IC post I thought that he was starting to sound a little like Donald Rumsfeld and his "known unknowns" quote! <G>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiPe1OiKQuk

In reply to helbent4 (msg #185):

Tony, remember that it is the God given right of every soldier to gripe and complain! <G>

In reply to Seth Joseph Delaney (msg #187):

Yes, especially when they're tired and cranky and up past their bedtimes!

I remember a great quote about discipline from the Spanish Civil War. "The Republicans didn't have to salute, enlisted could drink in the same bars as their officers, and could question their orders as they liked. They lost the war, but the other guys didn't have any fun!"

That said, I want everyone to have fun and express themselves but I also want to keep the game realistic when it comes to communicating up the chain of command. Going forward, expect more realistic consequences if there is a clear lack of respect and tact being shown. If you want to risk it for your PC, please go ahead and more power to you, but your PC will have to pay the piper.

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:05, Fri 04 Mar 2011.

Sorry about any spelling mistakes in my last IC post. I'm posting using my phone but it looked like I needed to post as I was holding things up.

Hi Andy,

Very considerate of you! Don't worry about the misspellings.

Mostly, we're just wrapping up the meeting. There (hopefully won't be too
much fallout over the previous exchange, but it won't go unnoticed.

One thing you reminded me that people should bear in mind is that Seth
has a CHA of 2. (He's not stupid, in fact, Seth is a smart
guy and fairly well-educated.)

Everyone,

I'm getting ready to intro Christian and Thomas' new characters.
They've not been contributing as much, because they were in a strictly
"holding" mode, patiently waiting for their "real" characters to be
introduced.

Basically, we're going to jump forward a couple days.

You'll find the results of the negotiations, then go from there. As mentioned,
the UBC leadership is most concerned with dealing with salvaging the airport
before a possible flood bursts the levees and berms surrounding it (it's below
sea level on reclaimed land). If that happens, the team will have more freedom to
define its ongoing mission, subject to acting as the Uni's reaction force and
dealing with other emergencies the ERT and militia can't handle.

Possible concerns still include the Hells Angels (HAs) and associated clubs. The
renegade sniper known as "Mr. Brownstone" who may or may not be affiliated
with the HAs, and what could be a company-sized mercenary unit he is forming.
There's the HA-run Free Market, the target of future undercover black-market
weapons buys, and the disappearance of women who are taken to a HA club-house
known as the "Pig Farm".

There are Neo-Nazi "New America" cells throughout BC, reinforced by other NA
on the run from prosecution for their role in the now-defunct "Republic of
Alberta". And of course, there are Soviets who have not yet given up and still
fight WWIII not too far north...

Gun Porn:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Be...#p/a/u/1/0C-cVzrkFrA


Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:13, Sun 06 Mar 2011.

Posting from my phone again so I'll give you my suggestions on what to do next later but just to correct something Tony just said Seth is clever but uneducated. As for his charisma of 2 I'm playing that as him being a nice guy who can sometimes offend people in the way he speaks. If Seth ever ends up being rude to a PC then I will make sure that it is clear that it's nothing personal in the OOC channel.

Hope that's ok.

Andy

Tony,

My thoughts on this, well really a series of questions:

Assuming that the negotiations are successful with the Trolls will any of the PCs be needed to salvage the gear we want from the airport as that sounds like a technical job, unless there is still a risk of a military confrontation with the Trolls?

Seth arrived after all the previous trouble with the HAs and has only been involved in the arrest of the technical crew so his IC knowledge and my player knowledge are weak in this area.  Am I right in thinking that they are regarded as the major threat to the Federal Gov. at UBC?  If they are then they sound like a priority.

Please can you clarify what is known about “Mr Brownstone”?  That’s a new name to me.

Do we have any intel on a New America cell in BC?

Lastly I thought that the Soviets who were still “fighting” were just independents trying to carve out their own area of control – I didn’t realise that they were still following High Command orders and fighting WWIII.  Where are they based and are they part of the UBC remit?

Thanks,

Andy.

In reply to Seth Joseph Delaney (msg #192):

Thanks!

This is a great chance to get everyone caught up, including the new players.

Some of this is in the Reference section, most not. I will post this there, now, for future reference.

1) The team is not specifically needed at the airport, other than to help secure it. You might want to be there to check out some gear and so on. The river is rising and all salvage there could easily be lost if the surrouding dikes break (it's on reclaimed land below sea level at the mouth of the river) so it's still something of a priority.

2) It's recognised that the HAs are a serious long-term threat, dealing in drugs, guns and even military-grade weapons from across the US border. They've been put on the back-burner as YVR's been dealt with for different reasons soon. A major problem is a lack of intel. The HAs withdrew from downtown days ago after Stanley Park was cleared and thus lost direct contact with government forces. Their nearest known "outpost" is the Free Market. Decentralised and disorganised, it's likely they'll try and infiltrate the government/police at some point.

3) "Mr. Brownstone" is a name that's cropped up from different people, like survivors and friendly HAs (Andy and Tyler did some undercover work). It seems he's a renegade sniper from the Alaska NG suspected of war crimes (illegal killings of Soviets and sympathisers) but no proof. Rumours say he's set himself up "Kurtz-style" with a small army (platoon-company sized?). Your intel is that the HAs have supplied him with small arms and want he or his group to infiltrate the government somehow (as a private contractor?) but it's an open question who's working for whom.

4) Pre-War there were neo-Nazi cells in BC (in RL, too, like Storm Front, Heritage Front, Blood & Honor and Volksfront, the largest). While they were suppressed as much as possible the Soviet invasion and government collapse after the nuclear strikes allowed them to run wild. They fought both the Soviets and the CF/RCMP. The largest activity was a large NA push in late 1998 to "liberate" Kamloops that was just barely thwarted by the combined efforts of the 2/Rocky Mountain Rangers and the defecting 122nd Motor Rifle Regiment. Ouuuuurah! There hasn't been any large-scale NA activity since that force was smashed, the leaders arrested and weapons (including a tank and APCs!) confiscated. It's believed the hundred or so NA survivors who escaped arrest have split up into small cells and headed back north.

It's recently been revealed that the Albera Republic was covertly under NA control, unbeknown to most of the population. Albera cut off supplies to BC/Yukon in 1998 and doomed the CF. It's alleged the NA-controlled Alberta Defence Force massacred thousands of non-white refugees from BC (new mass graves indicate perhaps tens of thousands of victims, maybe more) fleeing into Alberta. The ADF supplied weapons and training for the NA in BC. When Alberta was brought back under federal control the NA was purged but some certainly escaped arrest.

5) In short, there are 2 Soviet divisions in BC that turned marauder, both on Haida Gwi'i (formerly the Queen Charlotte's Islands): the 76th TD and 120th MRD. There is still a "loyal" Soviet division, the 62nd MRD (Taras/Bulat/Bezhov's old unit) that is currently located around Bella Coola and northern Vancouver Island. Although direct air/sea contact hasn't occurred since early 1999 (two years ago) It's speculated that regular monthly interceptions of long-range "numbers stations" transmissions are the efforts of the 62nd MRD's HQ and the Kremlin to maintain some kind of radio contact. Typical of numbers stations, the broadcasts are non-repeating strings of numbers and letters sent in plain English, sometimes with the same snatches of music (to synchronise transmitter/receiver?) and totally unbreakable.

Intel suggests that most of the 62nd MRD's personnel have recently transited to Vancouver Island by small boat while most of their supplies, almost all their transport, heavy equipment and tanks remain in Bella Coola due to a lack of sealift capacity. Their combat readiness is debatable but in the last month the CF has made contact with aggressive probing about midway down Vancouver Island.

Numbers stations: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZVJMq0rYPs





Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:09, Tue 08 Mar 2011.

One only can wonder about the presence of 2 divisions of the Red Army, more than 20,000 troops in such an inhospitable place as the Haida Gwaii islands. Today, only some 3,800 people as we speak live on the islands:




At a 100% strength on both TD and MRD the parking lot of the island would roughly contain:

Main Battle Tanks: 406
IFVs: 600
Self Propelled Artillery: 194
Plus thousands of other vehicles and towed artillery.

By the way, the first European explorer to be in contact with the "Islands of the People" was the spaniard Juan Jose Perez in 1774 as it was the interest of the Spanish Crown to discover the extent of any colonial Russian encroachment.

Javier,

There are significantly fewer troops remaining in these units compared to the authorised strength!

76th TD = 3,000 troops, 6 tanks.

120th MRD = 2,000 troops, 8 AFV.

Still, quite a lot of people to house and feed!

Regarding the information, most of this is per canon (the various articles by Legion McRae in the Challenge articles and adventures "Canada: 2000", "Safari", "Red Maple" and the Adventures Quarterly adventure "The River" (which is what this game is based on). The only elements based on whole cloth are the K-131 and Mr. Brownstone. The HAs have been embellished a lot, as have the NA. The connection to the Albertan Republic is also not in the game but makes a lot of sense... if you know Albertans.

The new players (Christian, Thomas) are ready to go.

Also, out of the blue an the player for Kelsey (Lee) contacted me today and said his work schedule had changed enough to consider returning to play! That's great. (He's also re-joining my Morrow Project game, which is cool, too, but probably neither here nor there.)

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:15, Tue 08 Mar 2011.

Kelsey rejoining would be great!


Kelsey’s technical skills will obviously be important here but I think that we need a greater understanding of what the political situation with the Troll’s island is now?  Are they now willing to ally with UBC and let us salvage the important electrical gear on this island or do we still need to conduct a military operation against them?

Additionally if they’re now willing to let us salvage gear do we need play it safe and provide an armed escort for the techs recovering gear?

Lastly are the Trolls still extorting tolls from river traffic passing their bridges?



What is the UBCs attitude to the Free Market?  Are they trying to shut it down, regulate it or leave it alone?

If they have withdrawn from downtown at present then is it advisable to deal with other threats first?




UBC doesn’t have a particularly large military force to field so are we in a position to do anything about aggressive activity by the 62nd MRD?

Or should we mount some patrols up Vancouver Island in an attempt to ascertain what the 62nd MRD are up to?




From the sounds of it to investigate Mr Brownstone and/or the neo nazi cells it will require more undercover work.  Does that make sense?

Tony – would you rather that the PCs stick as a group or are you happy with different characters doing different things and therefore probably requiring different threads?

In reply to Seth Joseph Delaney (msg #196):

Andy,

1) The political situation regarding the island hasn't been settled, negotiations are on-going but very positive. It looks like the Trolls will effectively disband, or at least unblock the Arthur Liang bridge to allow unrestricted salvage and cease charging river tolls. Guards may still be needed for salvage parties.

2) A contingency plan for using force on the Trolls will still be needed. This is the heart of preparedness: plans are valuable, even if never used. There was (and still is) detailed plans for defending UBC against armed attack developed to repel the Stickmen, even if such an attack is now unlikely. If it comes up, plans can be dusted off and updated. Fox actually came up with a plan to take Basil out, but has held it in reserve.

3) Commerce is valuable; like it or not the Free Market is still the premier trading centre for this part of the province despite the HA influence. At the least, the black market flow of drugs and weapons must stop and HA influence purged. As this will be difficult, the preferred approach is to shift trade to a new centre, which will likely happen anyways if the river continues to rise. New West may eventually take over this role (and probably wants to).

4) The HA presence downtown was centred on a strip club/brothel called "Brandie's", which they used to keep a hold over the "Undergrounders" living there. Trafficking in drugs, prostitution and weapons in exchange for salvage. The bikers simply pulled out when the Stickmen were ousted, although the club is still there. The HAs have a "wait-and-see" attitude at the moment. Likely due to the lack of a strong central leader prevents them from acting decisively, but this could change. As criminals they are usually not into direct confrontation unless they have overwhelming force and can hopefully plausibly deny involvement.

5) There is roughly a battalion-sized CF presence on Vancouver island (Vancouver Island Command/39 Bde.) and they are sending out patrols (including the DRI unit led byt Lieut. Jagelis) northwards. Their focus seems to be on completing transit to Vancouver Island but if the forces on this side of the water probe further down into the Lower Mainland (including Vancouver) then your unit may be the only thing that can stop them.

6) Undercover ops are fine! Andy was sounded out by Bear regarding joining Browntone's mercenary company. There are tentative plans for your members of the DRI unit to infiltrate the Free Market, posing as Russians and affiliated middle-men.

7) There is no requirement to stick together as a group. You may indeed need to split into subgroups to work on different things, although you don't have many numbers you have considerable resources. Also, there is a lot going on, more than any one small unit could hope to deal with even over the course of years so don't worry about "unfinished business". The government will always have its priorities, but you can set your own as well.

Tony

Tony,

Thanks for the info.

As long as you're happy with under cover ops then I would suggest that Seth would work well making some preliminary inquiries posting as a potential mercenary/HA/neo nazi recruit.  He looks like a HA in combats and can obviously pose as a mercenary.  Posing as a neo nazi would be harder.

If there isn't a need to do an under cover op then Seth will be well used trying to recruit some of the disbanding Trolls (assuming that that happens) and guarding the salvage operation.

Hope that helps.

Thanks,

Andy.

In reply to Seth Joseph Delaney (msg #198):

Undercover makes a lot of sense.

A similar undercover op first against the Free Market can be used as a springboard for future undercover operations against the HAs, if needed. Intelligence can be gathered as identities are establishes. The HAs are recruiting ex-US, CF and Soviet soldiers as fast as possible for their gangs.

Tony

I'll see if I can find some time this weekend and I will write something about Soviet operations in the Queen Charlotte islands...

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #200):

Javier,

Sounds good! I always welcome player input.


Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:03, Thu 10 Mar 2011.

Tony - just so you know there is a minor typo on the latest message on the Time, Date and Weather thread - it says that the 21st is Friday rather than Saturday at one point.

Sorry for being anal! <G>

I don't have it noted on my character sheet but I have a vague memory of Seth borrowing a beret from Andy to wear around base.  Is that right?

Also is my memory correct that while on base we are expected to not carry any weapons at all as standard procedure?
This message was last edited by the player at 17:35, Thu 10 Mar 2011.

In reply to Seth Joseph Delaney (msg #203):

1) Ooops, ha, let me fix the typo.

2) Yes, in fact he can get a surplus beret as well.

3) Good point. There is no regulation against going around armed. It's more of a social restriction reflecting a people who were and are perhaps a little too sheltered from outside reality, but they are getting more used to it. You are currently on alert so you actually should carry your weapons around in case you need them quickly. Generally, a sidearm is fine, rifles and so on are a little more unsettling but you won't get more than some curious glances unless you take them into the pub, a church, the general cafeteria, etc.

There's something I should have mentioned: the UBC militia is now headquartered in the nearby Jericho Garrison buildings, which have been repaired and re-opened. This is just off-campus and outside the secure perimeter. The RCMP detachment and RCMP Auxiliaries remain on-campus.

Tony

In reply to helbent4 (msg #204):

Thanks for the info - I'll post IC tomorrow.

One question though - are the firearms social conventions you're talking about for on the UBC campus or for in Vancouver in general?