Hello everyone,

Updated map:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/...Ghof&usp=sharing

Tony

Great map, thank you.

I guess we're all too busy following the conflict in Ukraine.

Many bits and pieces to extrapolate!

Nice map...

Interesting that a high number of Russian generals are losing their lives in Ukraine. Are they coming to the front lines to try and shore up morale? Are they being 'fragged' by junior officers frustrated at the top-down command structure that's endangering Russian forces for little result? Or are the Ukrainians particularly good at seeking them out?

Back to my small attempts at support - featuring current Ukrainian medals on my medals of the world website :)

Generals...and now even an Admiral!

More senior Officers lost in three weeks than in 10 years in Irak. But that is just part of the overall onslaught of personnel and equipment of the unexpected consequences of a failed blitz and the ensuing attrition war.

Looks like many of RMA lessons were only applied piecemeal or not at all.

In reply to Christopher Little Hawk MacDonald (msg # 3):

My guess is the Russians are not at the fratricide or "frag the officer" stage yet.

I think it's a combination of slow gains for Russians compel senior officers to go forward to either get troops moving, supervise consolidation of miniscule gains, or keep them moving. Just being in the area and/or insecure comms makes them vulnerable and they can then be targeted by artillery and snipers.

Tony

I've read an account of a russian tanker who ran down a colonel with some kind of tracked vehicle. It was a cell phone intercept.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:32, Wed 23 Mar 2022.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/...s-tank-over-26537421

Allegedly, a tanker ran over his Colonel's legs with a tank to protest high losses (up to 50%) in his unit. This could have been an accident (hard to see out a tank) but still pretty horrifying. Note, the soldiers carrying him are Chechens, which are being used as rear-area security troops.

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:22, Wed 23 Mar 2022.

The Kremlin is reportedly sending execution squads after their own army with orders to kill any Russians who try to flee.

Ukraine security services claim that prisoners of war have told them of the horrific tactic that has reportedly seen Russian guns aimed at their own.

NKVD all over again.

Gitta love Tsimbalyuk t-shirt though...

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg # 8):

If true I would guess that's what the Chechens are for!

BOUNDER (KNIGHT and KING) are currently at ECHO. AT 5.5km separation from ROVER, reaction time will be somewhat compromised if BOUNDER does not move up to pace ROVER in some way.

Tony

My bad. I'll correct that on game.

Hey,

This game has been going on long enough that it's seen the introduction of not just one but two editions. It started with the v2.2 rules, then switched to T2013/3rd ed. rules and now 4th ed. is here.

How would people feel about switching to 4th ed.? We sort of have a mishmash of v2.2/T2013 rules with some Phoenix Command mixed in for vehicle combat and wounds. It's not really noticeable because that's something I handle on the back end. Converting characters would actually be pretty easy as there are two methods. One is to use premade archetypes, the other is to go through a full life-path (step-by-step) generation process. For existing PCs they fit well into the basic archetypes given. All you'd need to do is make some skill picks (or have me do them for you) and you are good to go.

I have not played T2K 4e but I have played the fantasy version of these rules, Forbidden Lands. They are fine for RP and personal combat. Where I think they are an improvement is they have rules for building and improving your base, and exploration. Once this adventure ("Safari") is complete your PCs might be sent on a recce either up the coast towards Squamish, further up the Fraser Valley or over to the island. Do some "hexcrawling" (exploration) and eventually establish an outpost.

Please let me know what you think?

Archetypes and possible specialties for Active PCs:

Taras - Officer (intelligence) or Mechanic (combat engineer)
Mac - Grunt (ranger) or Spec Ops (sniper)
Abbott - Grunt (rifleman or ranger)
Andrews - Spec Ops (Combat Awareness or infiltrator)

NPCs:

Eric - Grunt
Mattie - Mechanic
Tremblay - Gunner
Darek - Gunner
Alice - Mechanic
Rachel - Civilian

Kel - Grunt
Father Nick - Medic
Shane - Civilian
Fox - Spec Ops
Gunny Conklin - Spec Ops

Cmdr. Clarke - Officer
Belanger - Spook

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:34, Tue 29 Mar 2022.

Hi Everyone, I am happy to make the switch if we decide to. Thanks.


Cymon.

In reply to Thomas Matthew Andrews (msg # 12):

Also, you'd get XP to spend as your characters have been played for a while now!

Tony

Yes!

I don't want to be "that guy" but I'm comfortable with the way things are going.   However, If the majority want to make the conversion, I'll go along with it.

<roots around hard drive>

Think I have a copy somewhere... haven't read it yet!

No problem if people want to switch up the ruleset.

That's a fair comment, we have not had many problems as such. For the most part because I'm doing most (but not all!) of the work. I'd be lying if I didn't say it was partly because I wanted to make things a little easier on myself by using a single set of rules, as well as wanting to try 4th ed. out because I have them.

Nevertheless you did make your character using the T2013 rules. This was a significant investment of time and effort! T2K4 has conversion rules for 1st and 2nd ed. But not 4th! Usually I find its better just to re-make a PC than to try and apply formulae for conversion, anyways.

There are two options for converting PCs:

1. Archetypes: pick a general character type, the ones I suggested are close. Add some skills.
2. Lifepath: This is the involved term-by-term process.

If anyone would like to borrow a copy of the rules on .pdf on the understanding they will not share any further (etc.) please email me (helbent4@gmail.com) to get the player's manual.

Tony

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 17):

I converted Taras and the results are fine. Of the two methods I suggest the lifepath (more skills/specialties, higher CUF). Either way you will get 20XP for improvement, and 2 roll to improve CUF. In the lifepath you may roll for promotion every term; your actual rank is set at whatever it is now. If anyone would like me to convert their characters please let me know. (If you do it yourself, please don't erase the old character sheet... we may still use it!)

Character sheet below (the formatting works ok in the character sheet):

================================[Twilight 2000 4th ed.]====================================
 Name:                                        | Nationality:
 Branch:                                      | Appearance:
 Military Rank:                               | Moral Code:
 Buddy:                                       | Big Dream:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 How you met the group:                       | Experience:  Total   Current
                                              |                    /
====================================[ATTRIBUTES & SKILLS]=====================================
 Strength:       =    | Agility         =     | Intelligence   =     | Empathy       =
----------------------|-----------------------|----------------------|------------------------
 Heavy Weapons   =    | Driving         =     | Recon          =     | Command       =
 Close Combat    =    | Mobility        =     | Survival       =     | Persuasion    =
 Stamina         =    | Ranged Combat   =     | Tech           =     | Medical Aid   =
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Specialties:

==========================================[COMBAT]============================================

Damage:      Stress:   | Critical Injuries:   | Armour               | Conditions
                       |                      |                      |
Hit Capacity:          |                      | Head:                | Starving
Stress Capacity:       |                      | Arms:                | Dehydrated
Coolness Under Fire:   | Diseases:            | Torso:               | Sleep Deprived
Unit Morale:           |                      | Legs:                | Hypothermic

==============================================================================================

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:14, Wed 13 Apr 2022.

Tony, I'd be obliged if you'd convert Mac, please. We're coming into exam season now so I shall shortly be buried in piles of marking!

In reply to Christopher Little Hawk MacDonald (msg # 19):

No problem! I'll get on that.

Tony

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 20):

Hello!

Speaking of this, I have finally "gotten on" with converting your characters to 4e. They are basically done except for Encumbrance/Endurance. The levels correspond to the following die types (also called "size").

A = 1d12 (size 12, etc.)
B = 1d10
C =  1d8
D =  1d6

In a nutshell, skill checks are Attribute Level + Skill Level (if any). Core skills are associated with their usual Attribute. Specialties give a bonus to a particular skill or activity. Dice ratings are A-D from best to worst (plus F for none). The TN is 6, every 6 rolled is a success. Rolling a 10 or above (obviously requiring a rating of A or B on one or both scores) is Critical and yields 2 successes. So you can have up to 4 successes if you crit on both dice.

Specialties can be bonuses to skill checks, and raise your die size (typically the skill die) by +1. E.g. Mac is making a Recce (Recon) check for spotting or sneaking. His Intelligence is B (1d10) plus Recce of B (1d10). But he has the Scout specialty, which raises the size of his skill die from 10 to 12. So his roll to notice an ambush is 1d10 + 1d12. (Simple perception is Intelligence.) Gear will also usually do this depending on the situation.

It is mentioned that passing checks is difficult, so I'll try to keep that in mind and not require checks as often as is my habit.

Would anyone like a partial copy of the rules, in order to reference for skills and Specialties? Here are some Specialties the group possesses:

Scout: +1 to Recce (Recon) rolls.
Ranger: +1 to Stamina.
Sniper: +1 to shooting with sniper rifles, DMRs, scoped hunting rifles.
Rifleman +1 to all rifles, assault rifles, shotguns, etc.
Machinegunner +1 to all SAW, GPMG and HMG rolls (not vehicle-aimed).
Load Carrier +4 to carried Encumbrance and +4 to backpack Encumbrance.
Linguist: Fluency in additional languages up to Intelligence die size.
Logistician: Base Building.
Combat Awareness: Draw 2 initiative cards, pick best.

If anyone is really not feeling the love, please PM me and we'll see what we can come up with.

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:29, Thu 21 Apr 2022.

Looks like we csn have a piece of action here with the hostages situation.

Gentlemen... shall we dance?

:-)

With pleasure!

What do you want me to do? Initiate the action or wait for you lot to catch up?

In reply to Christopher Little Hawk MacDonald (msg # 23):

I am sure a plan will be revealed... in character.

Tony

Note this is an extremely busy time at work... it's 6:30pm & I've only just got to look at anything that isn't work-related. Should be better next week.

In reply to Christopher Little Hawk MacDonald (msg # 25):

Understood, take your time!

Tony

We shall wait then. No problem.

OK end of the week and things should get more manageable. Loadsa marking, but I can do that to my schedule not someone else's!

No problem, man. We'll be around.

Hi Everyone,

While your characters are done, there are a few details left to fill in. Moral code, Big Dream and Buddy.

MORAL CODE
The world might have gone to hell, but you’re still a human
being with values and morals. So far, anyway. This
is represented by your moral code, phrased in a single
sentence.

During play, you will face situations that test your
moral code, where following it puts you or your group
in immediate danger or requires a major sacrifice of
some kind. The Referee has final say on when this
happens, but you should also bring such situations to
their attention.

[*] If you choose to follow your moral code, you get
a +1 modifier to one related skill roll (page 40) if
this makes sense in the situation, and you will
learn from the experience, earning an experience
point (XP) at the end of the session.
[*] If you choose to betray your moral code, you will
immediately suffer 1 point of stress (page 77). At
the end of the session, you also have the option
to scrap your moral code and write a new one.
Buddy.

BIG DREAM
Your immediate goal in the game is to live another day.
But in the long run, merely surviving is not enough. You
also have a motivation of your own, something you dream
will one day come to pass, that keeps you on your feet
when it would be easier to just lay down and die.
During play, you will gain extra XP if you take concrete
action to realize your big dream. The Referee has final say.

YOUR BUDDY
You must choose which one of the other PCs that you
feel closest to. That PC is your buddy. Mark your choice
on the character sheet.

If you risk your life for your buddy or make a major
sacrifice for them, you get a +1 modifier to one related
skill roll (page 44) if this makes sense in the situation, and you will gain
bonus (XP) at the end of the session.

If you witness your buddy being injured, you risk suffering mental
stress (page 78).

Thanks,

Tony

Hello,

We have a new PC joining us, Saul Hudson (USMC). If it's ok with him he can pretty much arrive any time. You haven't gone in yet, Mac is conducting a foot recce while the rest of the point detachment holds their position, and the support detachment holds position behind them.

If it's ok with the player, someone can start out as his buddy. As well, does anyone want to designate a buddy? Technically it doesn't need to be mutual!

As well, please think of a moral code. It's important! (Big Dream can't hurt either.

Tony

Hi everyone,

The new player is basically read-in.

We'll get him to the group.

Have a thought about the background details I posted about earlier (best friend, moral code, big dream). Aside from rp these all have mechanical effects, although nothing prevented earlier editions from being fun if these elements were not codified.

Is Mac ready to continue?

Tony

I'm still battling the Marking Monster, but managing to look in at least once a day. So happy to continue.

Added moral code & big dream. Haven't decided on a 'best friend' - sounds a bit too elemenary school!

In reply to Christopher Little Hawk MacDonald (msg # 33):

Way back when, Mac and Kel were best buddies. She is not a PC (at least not an active one)  but that's ok if you want to keep this connection. Master Sniper McRae would have also been this at some point as he was being trained up to be sniper/spotter. For that mater you are given a "battle buddy" in the CF during GMT (basic training) whether you like it or not!

But this is mainly for rp and background purposes. The team has been reorganised and no one really needs to do this.

Tony

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 34):

I'd like to get the new PC snyched up with the team. So Mac can hold off on further recce of the target until this happens.

Tony

By your command.

Welcome, New Guy!

Hi new guy here.

GM recruited me from a game I run.

In reply to Saul Hudson (msg # 37):

You certainly know Cymon.

Tony

Yes welcome, what game ?

Hey there, new guy.  You get to carry the mortar base plate.

I guess two games...I don't want to advertise my games here right off the bat.

But yeah, Cymon is in the same two games.

In reply to Saul Hudson (msg # 41):

Please don't worry about advertising your games here, you are very cool about people doing that in your games.

Tony

In reply to Christopher Little Hawk MacDonald (msg # 36):

OK, while we get time-synched up, you can decide if Mac wants to keep on the recce and hold position. My thought is the replacement could be of assistance but does not fundamentally alter the equation. So you may as well proceed and get a look at what's going on.

Tony

I'm happy to continue... or not. Just tell me what you want me to do.

Note, Javier is on vacation in Spain at this time. This is why Taras is sitting back and letting Abbott do all the planning, remaining in tactical command. So until he hears different, Abbott is assumed to be in control.

Tony

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 45):

Reposted from Reference thread.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/...49389122377&z=14

Tony

I totally forgot Rachel was there. She's trained in RCMP ERT operations, etc. She has put you all through a kind of basic course and aside from that you are no strangers to room-clearing. She was intending to move up if time allowed but it looks like you need to go in immediately. (If you really want we can move her up.)

If needed, Eric also has a Flashbang. Everyone has gas masks.

I assume Mac is timing his shot to coincide with the shooting coming from inside the gym. All things considered everyone inside is also going to be deafened by indoor gunfire at close range for a few moments. So you have, like, a reasonable chance to drive in undetected.

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:02, Wed 15 June 2022.

Of course I am... :)

In reply to Christopher Little Hawk MacDonald (msg # 48):

Time is a little fluid, and there's no way you could have known shots would be fired ahead of time. So I rolled and randomly determined he had not taken his shot before then, but of course would take the opportunity when it went off!

As for everyone else, now I need to learn the combat rules.

Tony

That's fine. Mac was lying there lining up his shot like a good little sniper, after all.

I should probably learn them too....

I'm going to be on a trip until Friday and will only be able to post on my phone until then.

In reply to Saul Hudson (msg # 52):

No problem! We should be in narrative mode until then.

Tony

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 53):

OK! Mac's first roll (2, 3 rolled on 2d12, target number 6) generated no successes, so he pushed his skill check for a re-roll. The reroll passes (9, 11)) and generated 3 successes (9 gives 1 success, rolls over 10 gives 2). One success is a hit for 3 damage (Parker-Hale base damage is 3) plus the two additional successes give a bonus point of damage and raises it up to 5, which would bring the sentry to 0 Health. But the crit threshold for this weapon is also 3 so any additional damage is therefore also considered a critical hit (to the head) and so he's doubly screwed.

(Technically, Mac just pushed/re-rolled his failed initial roll and so really should have taken 1 shot. But I figured taking a second shot just fit well with what had been posted. Also, when you push a failed roll and your roll any 1s then you suffer a negative consequence. In this case each 1 rolled on the pushed/re-roll would be a point of wear on the weapon, etc.)

Generally speaking, you are allowed 1 Fast action and 1 Slow action. Reloading, moving, opening a door or aiming are considered a Fast actions. Aiming through a scope and attacking is a Slow action. You can attack without aiming as an unaimed hip shot. I'll post the tables of Fast and Slow actions when I can!

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:11, Mon 04 July 2022.

The desired effect has been achieved so I'm happy. Thank you.

In reply to Christopher Little Hawk MacDonald (msg # 55):

My pleasure!

Rolls are Attribute die type plus skill die. Modifications raise or lower the die type; max is d12, min is d6. TN for a success is 6. If you roll 10-12 you get an extra success. If you do not get a success, or want to try for more successes, you can push your roll. You can re-roll any dice that are not a 1. It also must be an active and not passive skill check.

The rub is if you try to push a roll and you rolleda 1 or rerolled any 1s, all 1s result in either a point of damage to you (physical or mental depending on the skill) or your weapon/equipment.

Tony

Since the GM said I can.....

I am running a game set in 'The Expanse' universe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Expanse_(TV_series). Player characters are currently attempting to commandeer a pair of unknown stealth vessels docked on Eros. Its looking like this is going to be a pair of serious close quarters gunfights...

I have a two abandoned PC's and a few slots open for potential players to take over a 'generic NPC' which has not been created. I can create these NPC's really quick in case you do not want to deal with character creation.

Link to game: link to a message in another game

The game uses the AGE RPG system: https://greenroninstore.com/co...ions/the-expanse-rpg

<scuttles off to look... slinks back...>

Sounds fun, but I have no knowledge of The Expanse novels or TV show. That can akways be rectified of course, I research shows all the time due to the lack of audio descriptions (my husband is blind). Would you be willing to accept a newbie who is ignorant of the setting?

In reply to Christopher Little Hawk MacDonald (msg # 58):

Yes, as long as your willing to learn the setting. The game is set pretty early in the universe’s timeline.

Thank you.

I play in that campaign and I'm really enjoying it. I have only watched the TV series so relatively new to the setting and it does not seem to impact in anyway so far.


Cymon.

In reply to Saul Hudson (msg # 57):

No problem, I'm happy you shared. It's a good game, and you're a great GM (your games are better-run than mine!) I encourage anyone who's interested in "The Expanse" or hard SF to join.

Tony

Saul has been kind enough to invite me to join. I'm playing a fellow called Yuri.

In reply to Christopher Little Hawk MacDonald (msg # 63):

Good for you!

Mac is 80m out. Normal speed is 20m/turn. He can up that to 30m by making a running check.

However, the technical drove past him. If Abbot wanted to pick him up that's quite feasible. Abbot would also then need to decide if he stacks with the assault detachment or stays in the technical as backup.

As well, I figured out how to draw initiative. Initiative is card driven, 1 per PC, lower is better, and is set after the initial draw (although you can freely trade initiative cards with a friendly and I think maybe even improve your init). I can physically draw cards but that doesn't help when I'm at work. So I found a site that will allow me to draw cards and unlike rpol's rng won't let me draw doubles: good ol' random.org.

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:00, Tue 19 July 2022.

If Mac wants a ride, he gets one.

Abbot is going to stay towards the back so that he can observe everything going on and direct the actions of the team.  He's in the fight but detached a bit so that he can try to see the whole tactical situation. or as much as possible. Mac can stack up with me. He's been humping the whole way here, he's cold, wet and can use a bit of a breather. I'm not going to use him as a door kicker right now.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:37, Tue 19 July 2022.

Thanks, I'll take the ride!

If the characters are stacking up by a door, and getting ready to breach and clear, wouldn't init be determined by stack order?

That said what is the stack order?

Wright/Andrews
Hudson
Gunny
ME
Mac

Well, I guess if Wright/Andrews gets mowed down upon entry I can hose down the place with full auto fire from my M-60.

In reply to Saul Hudson (msg # 69):

If you don't think the M60 is CQB-friendly then Saul does have an M16A2 with his gear.

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:23, Wed 24 Aug 2022.

Actually what I described is according to a infantry Marine I served with on Embassy Duty is SOP. This was post 9/11 but before the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

More recent than when I learned to clear a building... late 1980s!

In reply to Saul Hudson (msg # 71):

Just so long as the "CQB" is of the hostage rescue variety!

On that note Wright has a Flashbang, which he will deploy before entry. Once I determine initiative!

Tony

Just so, we need to think 'SWAT' or 'HRT' rather than 'CQB' now :)

In reply to Christopher Little Hawk MacDonald (msg # 74):

You bet!

For the next week I'll be on the road, then at a wedding, then returning. So I won't be doing a lot of checking on the game. I'll post if I can! But I am having trouble transferring my gaming books to my tablet so that could be an issue.

Tony

No big deal, Tony.  Enjoy your trip.

In reply to Stanley Alistair Abbot (msg # 76):

The trip was a blast! Just taking a couple days to catch up on work.

I was thinking about how living in BC, there wasn't anything I'd seen of Alaska's beauty like bears, eagles and a glacier that I haven't seen before or couldn't see with a bit of effort. The difference is to see them you gotta drive for quite a bit, arrange for accommodation, risk an accident with meth-crazed logging truck drivers, deal with diner and fast food, etc. Here, we were staying in a moving 5-star hotel that allowed me to (say) look out the window and watch passing whales while eating a professionally-prepared sushi dinner. All while delivering us to our destination with zero effort. Plus my wife Michelle won enough in the casino to pay off the entire tab we'd run up (for gratuities, onboard shopping, drinks, special meals, etc.).

Tony

Sounds wonderful. The benefits of taking a cruise.

Which I shall be finding out. A couple of weeks ago we booked one for over Christmas. Already looking forwards to it :)

In reply to Christopher Little Hawk MacDonald (msg # 78):

OK! I think I got everything straight for this turn.

A little late now to post, but look for a new turn tomorrow.

Tony

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 79):

Ok, maps have been uploaded.

The main map is 10km per hex. Your base in Ft. Langley is the hex with the river and island to the right of Walnut Grove and above Forest Knoll.

The Group 0 tactical map is 10m her hex. (Note the custom tokens.) The white rectangle indicates the open door. As I understand it, originally you were going to stack with Wright and Andrews paired, then Abbott, then Hudson and Tremblay paired. With Mac added in Abbott now pairs with him at the rear of the stack.

You started in the hex with the technical. You can perform 1 slow and 1 fast action per turn, or 2 fast actions. Movement and most non-combat activities are fast actions, attacking is a slow action. I would say in your precombat turn you moved up and stacked up by the open door, then readied weapons (2 fast actions). (Tremblay preps a flashbang. If Abbott/Mac is not going in or is going in last, it would be ideal for either one to deploy it next turn to stun any gunmen inside the gym.)

Note: there is a lot of confused noise coming from inside the gym. There are mostly men shouting, but some women are screaming.

It is now the first turn of combat. I'll draw initiative cards (usually 1 per player, but Andrews has the Combat Awareness specialty the allows him to draw 2 and pick the better one). Initiative cards can be freely exchanged between friendly players/NPCs. Although I drew initiative for the bad guys they currently do not seem to be aware of you and you have surprise.

Initiative Draw (post-surprise turn):

OPFOR/Enemy Force: 4

Tremblay: 2
Andrews: 3 or 5
Abbott: 6
Wright: 7
Hudson: 9
Macdonald: 10

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:09, Fri 26 Aug 2022.

Like most rpgs, T2K 4e's initiative is best suited for a swirl of combat, with people acting at unpredictable times. However, dynamic entry and room clearing is something that kind of all needs to happen suddenly, at once, and with everyone acting in concert.

How I will run this is someone can deploy a flashbang (probably Tremblay with Abbot's assistance with the door) at this point. If deployed properly it will give you a turn of complete Surprise, where the target gets no actions. If not deployed properly it still gives you an Ambush condition, where you go first but then they still get to react at the end of the turn.

It looks like the FB went off correctly. Those moving through the door (a Fast Action) have a free turn. (The Initiative draw is held for next turn, assuming there are any active remaining tangoes.) Order of action is not important as its assumed you are properly stacked and will move in concert. So please post your first action of the turn (going through the door) and then I'll describe what you see, then post your second action. After that the turn will end and the previously-drawn Initiative will come into effect.

Tony

I think I maybe made the coming turn a little confusing.

Let's make this simple. The flashbang was deployed correctly.

I'll assume everyone stacked to enter does so competently. My understanding is there were two fire teams (in Canadian parlance: 2-person element) entering: Andrews/Wright, Hudson/Tremblay. One should go left, the other right. If Abbot doesn't specify then once they clear the doorway (the "fatal funnel") A/W turn left, H/T turn right. I'll start the combat from there. Mac and Abbot are outside, ready to lend their support. Maddie is in the technical, Taras and Rachel will arrive in the Humvee in a turn or two at most.

My next post will clarify what the teams going into the gymnasium see.

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:19, Mon 05 Sept 2022.

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 82):

As the enemy is surprised, everyone gets a turn. A turn is 2 actions: Fast/Slow or Fast/Fast.

Generally with this kind of initiative system (all PCs draw individual initiative cards with the bad guys going on a single card) is either all PCs end up going first, the bad guys go first, or some PCs go, then the bad guys go, then the rest of the PCs.

The situation inside the gym is confused, the lighting dim. Although Aim/Shoot is recommended, possibly someone should take a Fast action to fully gain situational awareness (Recce check) to see if you are missing anything important before or after you fire.

Tlony

As I'm coming in at the back, I'll take a moment to look around before shooting anyone!

You say Recce is a Fast action, so that then taking aim at the main threat sounds good....

The troops can figure out which way they need to go.  I'll follow up behind them and direct the action.

I think it would be helpfull if we had a stack order and everyone just posted according to their position in the stack.

Normal SOP for clearing a room would be the fireteam/squad alternating going left and right. If it’s a large room the third man you push to the center and possibly be cracked up by the 6th or 7th man.

Agreed. That's why I haven't posted yet. I opened the door... and the person who does that goes in last after everyone else has charged in.

In reply to Christopher Little Hawk MacDonald (msg # 87):

The stack order is as follows:

Wright/Andrews

Hudson/Tremblay

Abbott/Mac

Everyone made it inside safely.

I posted an initiative order but disregard it. As the enemy appears to be stunned, they will automatically go last if at all.

Tony

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 88):

No one specified this so I'll say the first pair (Wright/Andrews) went right after they cleared the entrance, so second pair (Hudson/Tremblay) went left. It's arbitrary, there is no inherent advantage to either direction, or at least none you would have known about ahead of time.

Tony

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 89):

I'll take Abbot's action as being on Overwatch (covering). It's somewhat doubtful anyone inside can hear very well, what with the stun grenade and gunfire! I will still roll but there will be negatives due to the difficulty of communicating.

As a philosophical point, I agree the soldiers current role is acting like police (and this is a useful frame of mind) because Canada has no equivalent to "Posse Comitatus". Although only the RCMP members (really Lee) have legal arrest powers, soldiers can detain anyone using the same principle as a citizen's arrest. But a sworn peace officer needs to make the actual arrest.

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:33, Thu 29 Sept 2022.

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 90):

As a head's up, while I believe most NPCs would rather surrender than die, some are bloody-minded enough to keep going even when logic dictates they shouldn't. So don't count that out from happening, if circumstances (that you may not be aware of) dictate!

Tony

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 91):

I have not forgotten about the land group! Will post soon.

Tony

So, we got 4 tango's still breathing in the school gym?

Are there any civilians/hostages behind these tangos?

In reply to Saul Hudson (msg # 93):

There are 2 standing tangos, then all the hostages who are trying to meld with the floor and protect each other, with the last 2 standing tangos behind them.

Tony

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 94):

This interrupt action is strictly for Mac and Abbott, who were in Overwatch. So I'll hold Andrew's action until next turn.

Abbot's C8 has an ROF of 6. He can shoot a single shot, or add in "ammo dice" up to weapn ROF for bonus d6s. I'll assume that he fires full rock-and-roll or his full ROF. Mac's FN (C1A1) has an ROF 2, so he can take a single shot or elect to add in up to 2 ammo dice for additional d6s. Hits gained from these bonus dice can either increase damage to the target, or hit additional adjacent targets.

Tony

Abbot will take the full rate of fire.  6 ammo dice.

In reply to Stanley Alistair Abbot (msg # 96):

When rolling any dice, a 1 is a critical fail, 6+ is a success, and 10 is a critical success (counts as 2 successes). As a general rule, one success hits the target with base damage. Additional successes raise damage by +1 point. Critical fails do not usually have any additional effect unless you decide to "push" your roll. Pushing your roll allows a re-roll but at a cost for every 1 you roll initially or in the re-roll.

For the purpose of this combat I decided all damage inflicted is enough to incapacitate/kill all targets hit although generally a single hit from a 5.56mm NATO is not quite enough to do it; an additional point of damage is usually required.

Abbott scored 2 successes on his primary target using his base dice (2d10 with rolls of 7,7) with an additional 3 successes on his ammo dice (6d6 with rolls of 6,6,5,5,4,6). Additional successes on the base dice raise damage. Additional successes on ammo dice either raise damage, or result in either additional hits on the main target or adjacent targets. On his behalf I figure the 2 successes from base dice go towards hitting the primary target and +1 damage. The other 3 successes from ammo dice will go to an additional +1 damage to the primary target, and then hitting 2 more targets (who are close enough for this purpose to be considered adjacent).

Mac scored 1 success against his primary target using his base dice (2d12 with rolls 2, 8) and no successes with his ammo dice (2d6 with rolls of 1, 4). The success on his base dice yield a hit on his primary target, but as his ammo dice did not yield any successes he does not score additional hits. Still, this is enough to put him down. (The critical failure on the ammo die has no effect as he's not pushing his roll.)

Tony

Wow.  I would have been happy to just get 203 guy.

In reply to Stanley Alistair Abbot (msg # 98):

Whatever works!

And Happy Canadian Thanksgiving! Which is tomorrow. I'll try to get a post up.

Tony

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 99):

Some background notes: New America and the failed insurrection (New America Arise) is canon 1st ed. However, their temporary pivot to a more mainstream (if right-wing) political movement is part of my own rationale as to why NA is so widespread in the USA and Canada. Because in this timeline the Communist Bloc did not collapse and the Cold War continued through the 90's until a hot war broke out, NA would find fertile ground as anti-communism never abated in the west as a cultural force. Detente was abandoned as the USSR began to surge and enter a new era of covert global struggle with the USA and its allies. Leftist movements and communist sympathisers would continue to grow throughout the western democracies while communist revolutions would continue to break out globally, all covertly aided by the KGB. So they would gain at least a small amount of political legitimacy with anyone rightly concerned about the struggle with the USSR. Voters could reason the "radical" elements in the NA had been purged and were in the past, or were under control and merely a fringe at most, a perhaps necessary evil to be overlooked in the larger fight against communism.

In the canon material, NA seems to be located mainly in the central and eastern USA. But the areas of the so-called "American Redoubt" (Idaho, Montana, Utah and eastern Washington and Oregon) plus Alberta and eastern BC to the north seem more likely to be their stronghold. The Albertan government being infiltrated and subverted by NA before and during the war does explain much of their extreme behaviour in the canon material.(Alberta, remaining mostly intact after the nuclear strikes, basically revolts against the central government, cutting all lines of communication and supply to CF units fighting the Soviets in western Canada, eventually waging war on the surviving coalition of aboriginal peoples on the Prairies.)

In 1e/2e/4e a border war in 1995 between the USSR and China leads to a full-scale invasion. As China undergoes total collapse in mid-1997, NATO preemptively invades East Germany. They then proceed to blitz through Poland and invade the western USSR, being stopped only by numerous tactical nuclear strikes in late 1997. After a pause, there is a limited global thermonuclear exchange in early 1998. Conventional warfare in Europe, Asia and the Middle East continues at a greatly degraded manner (aka "Broken-backed warfare") until mid-2000 when all sides essentially collapse. Global population is reduced by famine and disease to less than 50% of prewar levels, with proportionately far more casualties and destruction in the northern hemisphere.

Tony

OK if he has to Andrew will "push" it to save lives.


-

In reply to Thomas Matthew Andrews (msg # 101):

Sorry for the delay! Work has been a "gong show". Our servers got hacked last week so everything is offline. No chance to check rpol regularly!

I'll assume by 1400 all wounded, freed kidnap victims, prisoners, dead skinheads and weapons were all safely handed off to friendlies in NeW West and the team has RV'd at your base in Ft. Langley.

So far you have intel that former inmates of the Matsqui Penitentiary near the farming community Abbotsford in the eastern part of the Fraser Valley have seized the facility. They appear to make up a good proportion of a postwar outlaw motorcycle club, the Razorbacks. The allegiance of the Razorbacks is unknown but it is assumed they are affiliated with the Hells Angels, who have been laying low since they left their former territories in the western parts of the city. There is also a new militia in the far eastern part of Abbotsford. The skinheads could be affiliated with this new militia. Their tracks indicate they may have come from across the US border but they might well have crossed down into the US and then back into Canada. Finally, no word yet on the LAV-75 and the former UK soldier "Lagge" who seems to have turned rogue and sold his services to the bikers at Matsqui.



Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:47, Wed 07 Dec 2022.

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 102):

I see Javier is away right now visiting the in-laws in the UK. This is the dreaded Christmas Slump!

Now that bit of excitement is over I will be moving the game forward in the new year.

Tony

I'm going on a cruise 23 Dec - 6 Jan. I am taking a laptop but no idea how good the wi-fi will be! Full access is expensive so hopefully it will be OK :)

In reply to Christopher Little Hawk MacDonald (msg # 104):

Oh yeah, Wi-Fi is crazy expensive. However, Royal Caribbean is going to equip all its ships with Starlink internet so the cost of WiFi should hopefully go down soon.

My thought was something like your position is going to be reinforced by militia and police. But first you need to find and neutralise the LAV-75 that was spotted in hostile hands.

After that plays out, a small detachment could be sent off on a longer recce mission either east and north up the Trans-Canada and Fraser Valley or west and north along the Sunshine Coast or Sea-to-Sky highway towards Whistler and maybe even Lillouette (Mac's home town).

Tony

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 105):

Currently the team is back at base.

You will be receiving orders making the neutralising of the LAV-75 through capture or destruction a priority before future pacification operations can be carried out in the Fraser Valley.

I'd like to see what players are interested in participating. At minimum two PCs should be sufficient, with additional NPCs as support.

The next phase of the game will be much more focused on travel and exploration.

Tony

Thomas will be happy to help find the LAV.


-

Back from cruise, in hotel for a couple of days. Cruise a bit of a disaster: never go on a ship's maiden voyage! Search 'Arvia Christmas' for some of the sordid details. Wi-fi so bad they refunded my money!

So, to adventure! I like exploring...

Oh my God, yes, that did make the news here. And that is good advice.

Tony

I do not normally post political stuff on RPOL but since the game we are playing was referenced….

While on the Joe Rogan podcast, Peter Zeihan, an American geopolitical analyst referred to Twilight 2000 in regards to how the drug cartels in Mexico are “removing” each other.

Interesting.  I just started listening to that.

It’s a little after the hour mark when the reference is made I don’t think Joe picked up on it tho.

An Airbus tactical transport among other aircraft were shot at and hit with .50 cal fire.

The good guys responded in k8nd with the same caliber:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Warpl...content=share_button

Some years the body count goes up 30K. Mexico is a warzone in full swing.

Mexico is worse than Colombia was back in the 1990's. The really bad part is this time the Drug Cartel vs the Govt War is on the other side of the US boarder.

During the 1990s, when I served for almost 4 years in the Spanish Air Force, the conflict in Colombia was in full swing. We got the occasional visit from a Colombian C-130 Hercules bringing troops to take Green Beret courses in the nearby Pyrenees mountains. Then by 1999 the Plan Colombia came along. It took 15 years to bear fruit but eventually helped to pacify the country eventhough the drug issue would be a staple in the region.

I spent time in Bogota as a US Marine Embassy guard from late 2001 to early 2003. Plan Colombia was in full swing by that point.

Cool! In 2001 I arrived in Canada and got my papers in August. Right after 9/11 got hired by a security company. One of my first assignments was to protect the US Consulate in Vancouver.

The ongoing War on Terror definitely helped with the Plan Colombia implementation. I even remember the Soldier of Fortune magazines having a world map spread with "hot spots" of terrorist activity.

By then the magazine had lost the quality of the Cold War era reporting but was still fun to browse and read the syndicated columns.

I do not recall Vancouver being a post for MSG's (Marine Security Guards). Did you provide security for the outside or inside of the Consulate?

Outside. Main building access. Thete was the occassional RCMP cop around once in awhile as well. The consulate is located in the top floors and access was restricted through access cards.

In reply to Saul Hudson (msg # 118):

I used to work for the security company (Securitas/G4S) that was contracted by the US consulate, although I was a mobile driver and not assigned that specific post. As well as the consulate, this company also provided security for the US consul's residence. The residence is a beautiful but not overly large mansion off Granville St. in the leafy and exclusive Shaughnessy neighborhood of Vancouver. A few times I shuttled details around.

As for the game, I'll post to keep things moving soon.

Tony

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 120):

I met up with Javier ("Taras") at our local gaming con last weekend. We're looking to get the game moving again. First up is a plan!

Tony

Great to hear from you. Been a while!

Time to get the show back on the road!

We have ahead of us a lot of trigger time to get rid of the usual pests in the valley. A decapitation mission on a two headed snake (HA and NA groups) that could render extremely positive results in the reconstruction process.

Also there is that pesky LAV-75 that's been lurking around and needs some attention...

The idea is to organize a combat unit with what we have: LAV III, 10 ton truck, Humvee. And also what can be added (SA-8 from Bezhov) and onwards with the militia support we could get.

Then we have to choose a route to approach the objective: Land or river.

And Intel preparation, of course. Here is a link from the mentioned golf course with a satellite view:

https://www.golfpass.com/trave...-country-club#layout



Based on the close proximity of the Fraser river looks like a riverine insertion would be ideal. Do we have access to a platform, i.e. a barge and tug boat, to bring up the whole effort?

Personally I favor a movement to contact and overall blitzkrieg overwhelming the foe with a two pronged speedy advance.

Looking forward hearing from the team!

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg # 123):

Hi everyone, sorry for a long-delayed response. It's been a busy year!

Anyways, who's still interested in continuing? IF there are at least a couple players I'm happy to run something. Either a continuation of this scenario or something different.

Tony

Yes, very happy to keep going.


-

Colour me interested...

Corporal Abbot is standing by

Sure, still here

Yes!

Great!

Thanks for the response, everyone.

I have some ideas on a restart. One last battle should put the bad guys on the run. The overall scenario is a high-level meeting between the Hells Angels and Neo-Nazi New America leadership. Police and government military units will round-up the low-level enemy forces.

Your team will be charged with apprehending the leadership cadres first. Without leadership the lower echelons will cease to function and will put up minimal (although not no) resistance.

Intel pinpoints the meeting will be at night at a prewar golf course on Sumas Mountain, a hill in the valley beside the river. It is protected by a LAV-75 and some elite mercenaries and New America militia. Plans have been drawn up...

Tony

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 130):

I have been talking to Javier ("Taras") about your tactical plan.

Expect something soon!

Tony

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 131):

First off, happy holiday season!

Second, RIP to my father-in-law, Allan Patenaude. Al died last month at 70 from complications of liver failure (caused by medication for a heart condition). He is the OOC real-life inspiration for this game's IC intelligence chief, Alain Belanger. The real Al Patenaude joined the CF and was a Van Doo (Royal 22e Régiment) and then a commando in the Airborne in the late 60's and early 70's. He left the army due to a leg injury sustained from abseiling from a helicopter. After, he married and dragged his young family up North to Nunavut (then Alert Bay) NWT. (If anyone is familiar with "Ice Road Truckers", that is where the Ice Road terminates.) There my wife Michelle as a young child named his dog, a wolf-husky cross and lead sled dog, "Muffin". In his 30's he attended Simon Fraser University here in BC and earned a doctorate in Criminology. He became a professor and head of department at the University of Regina and then the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago. (Before then he also taught in Little Rock, AR and Salt Lake City UT.) He was even a gamer as well, having joined SFU's game club and played some D&D while there. Every once in a while I'd pick his brains about the military, or criminology, for gaming.

My favourite story about him was how he literally (not just figuratively) interrogated me on his first visit to see me. (He was teaching in the US and had returned to renew his work visa.) Mish had told me he was in the Van Doos (which is a very well-regarded regiment in and of itself) but it was when she mentioned he had also "jumped out of perfectly good airplanes for a living" and I started asking more probing questions I realised he'd also been in the Airborne, Canada's Special Operations unit of the time. Anyways, his method was not to waterboard me. And being fair, he warned me ahead of time he would do this by mentioning in a phone call the best way to interrogate someone was to say nothing. Let them do the talking. Sure enough on that weekend he didn't exactly give me the silent treatment but he sat back and let me fill the awkward silence with talk. After, I thought he hated me. Michelle said, no, he really did like me. If he didn't I would know. After all, this is a guy who didn't like a boyfriend of hers named Richard and called him "Dick" to his face. It wasn't until I remembered his prior comment I realised what he was (or might have been) really up to.

https://leaderpost.remembering...patenaude-1089037390

His NPC counter-part in this game was the HOD for Criminology at UBC, Alain Belanger. (Belanger being a common French-Canadian name and "Alain" being Al's birth name.) This NPC was also a CF veteran (Van Doos and Airborne). During and after the war he took over uni security as the "Provost" organising the Militia (in addition to the RCMP detachment) and building up an intelligence network in the city, which the government has been making good use of in its pacification efforts.

Anyways, I'll have an IC post up soon!

Tony

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 132):

Here is a teaser for the adventure climax:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/cK2jqBaVDpfQu6XD9

https://maps.app.goo.gl/kuYsGxtiuu6rFBFo9

Tony

So sorry for your loss. He sounds a fine man who lived a full life.

Salute to a Van Doos from the UK cousin, 22 (Cheshire) Regiment, in which I served for 4 years in the late 1980s.

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 132):

My deepest condolences on your family’s loss. With the holiday season upon us, I hope that the warmth of cherished memories and the support of loved ones bring some solace.

My husband is in the hospital, so I'm sporadic here at the moment. Please try not to get Mac shot...

Hugs! I usually say I'll make no promises but this time I'll make an exception.

Tony

Regarding dialogue colour, in other games Blue was the standard colour. Green or Dark Green also works. I'm not fussy!

I'll also post the orders tomorrow or soon. Very soon!

Tony

Copy. Most other RPoL games I'm in use different dialogue/thought colors for each PC. But I can go with blue.

In reply to Gordon 'Gord' Truex (msg # 139):

You only need to if you can't land on a colour. Just make it consistent!

Tony

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 140):

Hi everyone,

I'm still hoping to get a post out to move the game along. We recently moved and it's turned our lives upside down. Now I find it difficult to get into the right mindset. I have free time I find myself drawn to distractions and not hard thinking, and this means my other games are suffering as well.

Fear not, I am still interested and invested in continuing. A couple weeks ago I was able to put something together while at work and while on break one of my staff accidentally wiped it out with an ill-timed reboot. That took the wind out of my sails a bit! But I'm still here, not going anywhere. Please hang in there!

Tony

Husband now home and (slowly) on the mend, so I too am picking back up on everything including role-playing.

Came across a video or a pair of soilders, one ex-British Army, and the other ex-US Army Airborne regarding their kit and tactics used in Ukraine.

https://youtu.be/Tge7YMi4gJs?si=c62S3iOG4JADHrew

Much love and hugs!

And that's an informative video! Garand Thumb is great.

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:51, Mon 04 Mar.

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 144):

Javier (Taras) and I recently got together and worked out a plan. I'll get on him to post asap!

Tony

Peak grading time at the university, trying to visit RPoL once a day if only for my own sanity.