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!