Will try to get the post up tonight. I've been holding off for some more input from some of the other players but am not sure if they are just waiting for the situation to progress or something else (a couple people seem to be MIA).

Didn't some of the guys die from just the gas?  The holes will be smaller than the tears in Mitch's clothing though! <G>

Fuse - please can you repost the equipment found list over to this thread - I've just tried to quote it but I can't as the old thread is closed.

Thanks mate.

Thanks.


From this gear Aleksandar & Low Blow will each be assigned a Kevlar vest and a Polish steel helmet (unless they've already got a helmet) for while they're with us.

We'll sort out Janusz when he returns (assuming that he wants to).

In reply to Luis Ortega (msg #5):

Done. I also gave those 2 a gas mask, ok?

Yes - sorry - I missed that.

Please can you remind me - can Aleksandar use an AK?  If I remember correctly Low Blow can't.

In reply to Luis Ortega (msg #7):

He could handle an AK type rifle, but if asked, he would prefer to keep the submachinegun instead.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:49, Thu 22 Sept 2011.

In reply to Fusilier (msg #8):

OK - he can keep the SMG then.

Are you happy with us now taking gear from the main unit stores as well?  If you are then Ortega would like 48x 7.62mmN rounds.

Ta.

In reply to Luis Ortega (msg #9):

Taking it now is fine.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:01, Thu 22 Sept 2011.

In reply to Fusilier (msg #4):

As well as some clothing Mitch would like to take:
 - 1x field dressing (to make a start at replacing his personal med kit that was used)
 - a pouch for his gas mask - either one that will attach to his British webbing or a separate one with a shoulder strap - essentially he wants to try to find a way of fixing it onto his webbing.

ok - will add to his sheet.

Is there a problem if Frank grabs the following:

20m Climbing rope
1x Grappling hook
1x Crowbar

GM - Done
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:58, Thu 22 Sept 2011.

Made the additions to his gear list.

Frank has [4] XP & a +1 for Leadership.  Can he bump his Armed MC to a 2 and use the other [3] points to bump his LDR up to a 3?  Unless there is more XP coming, I'd like to do this.

In reply to Francis 'Frank' Benucci (msg #15):

Sure.

I am adding XP for this battle, so Frank actually has 5 XP (+1 for Leadership). I'll hold off making any changes since you mentioned you might alter your intentions.

Updated...

NAME                    EXPERIENCE POINTS

Oskar Friedmann         4
Helmut Meyer            7
John McCarthy           2 (+1 Ldrship or Persuasion)
Varis Babicevs          4
Frank Benucci           5 (+1 Ldrship)
Mike Catchings          0
Robert Mitchell         2
Caleb Mulcahy           2
Ferro                   2
Billy O'Brien           1
Luis Ortega             1
Eikki Termonen          1
Alex Michaels           1
Steve Williamson        1
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:44, Thu 22 Sept 2011.

How big are the decon packs?  For that matter, does Chemical Warfare fall under Medical?  I've been sorta playing Mike as the Chemical Weapons guy, but I'm not entirely sure if that would be accurate.

In reply to Mike Catchings (msg #17):

They are the absorbent Fuller's earth gloves/mits. They're single use and of negligible weight used to decontaminate soldiers skin, clothing and equipment.

Yeah. When relevant in Mikes case, I've been looking his medical skill (diagnosis) for NBC Warfare rolls - with a small bonus from his biology and chemistry. It, and other things should actually have a skill all to its own IMO, but I think medical is the closest at the moment.

Okay then I'm going to go 2 and 2 with the XP to raise both.

In reply to Mike Catchings (msg #19):

Okay, change it your sheet.

I'm going to go wiuth my original plan and raise up the Armed Combat and Leadership skills and save the 1 XP for something else.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:07, Fri 23 Sept 2011.

In reply to Francis 'Frank' Benucci (msg #21):

Ok, change your sheet.

---

I'm halfway done the turn, but will have to finish tomorrow. Sorry for the delay.

Already done!

Have caught up and posted. Anything major I need to be made aware of that I may of missed?
This message was last edited by the player at 12:46, Fri 23 Sept 2011.

40x 9mmM rounds
1x CS grenade
1x Wire Clippers

I will also take some clothing.

In reply to Caleb Mulcahy (msg #25):

Ok, add those to your sheet. Welcome back.

Fuse - just to confirm that Mitch is taking the 1x NVG pouch with shoulder strap to use as a gas mask pouch.

Hope that's ok.

Thanks.

Actually in addition please can Mitch take a pair of gloves, a pair of boots, a balaclavas and a warm undershirt as well.

Ta.

EDIT - Mitch will also return the following to the stores:

Double Barrel Shotgun
12 gauge, slug x10
This message was last edited by the player at 22:13, Fri 23 Sept 2011.

Varis would like to take 3 frags, 1 stun grenade, the 7 .45 rounds, the cigarettes, the garotte, and one of the combat knives (if it's a cool one).

Sorry for the delay but, an unscheduled work event tomorrow is going to put me behind on posting until Saturday night or Sunday afternoon.  NPC if needed.

John

Yikes. Long post and it's incomplete. Sorry if so much turns off anyone, but with all of the things being done and an entire facility being described, I couldn't make it shorter.

I still need to play out the interview/interrogation with the prisoner and pass on what Aleksandar learned from the woman(en).

And... provide list of inventory for the gear/equipment in the compound to work out what is useful.

And... describe what was found in the admin building.

---

Thanks for the heads up.



Done. Add to your sheet please. And yes, there is a cool knife. Cool for Varis anyways :D



Done. Add to your sheet please.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:34, Sat 24 Sept 2011.

Done. I noticed that Varis doesn't have a PMK any more. Can he claim one from the loot?

Also, can regular AK-74s take the 45-round mags that the RPK-74 uses? If so, Varis will take one as his ready mag. And he'd like a smoke grenade as well.

Thanks!

That's what Frank is doing too Varis.

For the time being, Frank will volunteer to sort through the gear & equipment.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:39, Sat 24 Sept 2011.

Yes, it absolutely can. You're better off carrying an RPK over an AK though - better range, better recoil, and with a competent Gunsmith, you can still mount a GL under it (might need to loose the bipod though)

And big guns look cooler.

Fuse - don't worry about the turn length.  It's better to have longer turns where we get through a lot of simple stuff than lots of shorter turns that take a couple of weeks to play through.

---

In reply to Eikki Termonen (msg #35):

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think I've read somewhere that the RPK-74 isn't capable of firing single shots, only bursts.

Fuse, you've obviously still got to add details of the search of the admin building and the report from Aleksandar but I've got a couple of questions already:

1. Did you detail the list of vehicles that have been recovered as we now have their batteries as well?

2. What fuel does the electrical generator in the garage run off?  If it's methanol then have we found a still anywhere?

3. Are the weapons and other gear found with the four dead bodies by the security building included in the recovered equipment yet?

---

I think that the revised list of things to do is as follows:

 - deal with the intact canisters of gas and the damaged ones - Partially done by Mike but waiting to be moved.
 - inventory the gear/equipment in the compound to work out what is useful - Not done yet.
 - bury the dead - Not done yet due to manpower/time issue.
 - find out what happened to Lt. Boswell
 - find out details of Wright's mission and details of the "rewards"
 - find out more about the missing ammo ship
 - build up stocks of non-perishable food
 - recover and decontaminate all gear left by the forklift
 - investigate the small commercial property that hugs the river's edge over to the east
 - investigate the old junkyard or small recycling facility to the west of the ruin
 - find out from the women if any of the dead are people that they want to bury in a single grave rather than a mass grave (I imagine Lada is one of those that they want to bury)
 - improve the OPs on top of the grain elevator
 - see if the broken searchlight can be repaired
 - see if one of the old ZSU-23-2 mounts can be adapted to mount the KPV
 - erect the second wind turbine
 - see if the wreck of the M113 is still where we left it and whether anything can be salvaged from it (including towing it back to the compound)
 - see if the wreck of the BTR is still where we left it and whether anything can be salvaged from it (including towing it back to the compound)
 - do something about Varis and Meyer's infected wounds and check out Low Blow's illness
 - give Low Blow $100 out of the $6400 in gold - (old instruction of JJM's that hasn't been done yet)
 - investigate the school to see if the trailer & still that were left there are still there and recover them if possible
 - obtain more transport

Can anyone think of anything else to add?
This message was last edited by the player at 15:01, Sat 24 Sept 2011.

In reply to Luis Ortega (msg #36):

Virtually every automatic weapon can fire single shots, provided the rate of automatic fire isn't ridiculously high. An M60 machinegun for example with a cyclic ROF of 650 rpm is quite capable of single shots by even a limited skilled gunner (only takes a quick squeeze rather than long hold).

The RPK-74 (5.45mm) though is little more than a heavy barrel AK-74 and shares the rifles selective fire ability. It's no sniper rifle, but then neither is the AK.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/...rld/russia/ak-74.htm
The original RPK (7.62S) is the one without a semi-auto setting (although it's still possible to squeeze one round off at a time).

Okay, add them to your sheet please.



1. Vehicles in working order:
   1x civilian 1 ton pickup tow truck (in garage)
   1x civilian 5 ton flatbed with mounted crane (in garage)
   1x civilian 1 ZSD Nysa van (in work yard)

2. Methanol, with perhaps something mixed with it. There is no still. Tank is less than 1/4 full.

3. Will try to add tonight.

4. Some of the things on that list will take several man hours (such as erecting the wind turbine and those that are off site). I'd suggest you divide all of those tasks into 3 categories.

A) Tasks needing to be done within a few hours on site (I can combine in one turn - next)
B) Tasks needing to be done offsite by recce parties (I can split up and play out)
C) Long term tasks that can be done "off camera" later on when I fast forward the game.

---

In reply to Eikki Termonen (msg #38):

Leg, I'm not so lenient on that anymore. On the gun range its possible, but in combat, I'm going to say the gunner won't be able to be so delicate.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:01, Sat 24 Sept 2011.

I've done it. May only have been on exercise, but it's very easily done.
I actually found it harder to keep holding the trigger down for a burst than simply tapping it for a single round or 2-3 round burst (something which tended to annoy the higher ranks since a 5-10 round burst was doctrine at the time).

Not that it matters though since we're talking about an RPK-74 which does specifically have the option of semi-automatic fire - unless there's something wrong with the weapon and a gunsmith is needed for repairs.

I've read a couple of places that the RPK, when mounted with a scope, is almost better suited to use as a designated marksman's weapon than it is in its designated LSW/SAW function.

I read about an hour ago in a forum dedicated to the RPK/RPK-74 that the barrels of all AK type weapons (specific mention made to the RPK-74) aren't anywhere near good enough on the whole to expect any real accuracy out of. You might get lucky though and find one which purely by accident during manufacturing comes out better than usual.
Same as the German SG-3 rifle really (a G-3 which bench tests in the factory as exceptionally accurate and is then reworked with better trigger, adjustable stock, etc - less than a PSG-1, but more than a stock G-3).

IC we've found one RPK-74. It's anyone's guess as to it's quality at the moment, but it's unlikely to be less than the AK Varis already has. Given our limited number of combat effectives, increasing firepower (im my opinion anyway) in any way possible is a good idea. Since we've got over a thousand rounds of 5.45 in stores, an automatic rifle is the way to go I'd say in preference to a lighter assault rifle or SMG.

In reply to Fusilier (msg #39):

Fuse - I'll categorize the tasks later as you suggested.

Leg - I must have been thinking about the RPK having no single shot setting.  Thanks for clearing that up.  However, you're wrong about the number of RPK-74's - we have 2.  Janusz has one and we just captured a second.

Good to know. Somebody else can upgrade too then. :P

Both of the RPK-74s are new, so there isn't a problem with semi-automatic fire. I'm not changing it the fire rules though for automatic only weapons, not in a combat situation anyways.

I've moved all of the equipment related listings over to the main inventory thread. There is no way that I can list everything in the compound. It was a profitable business that employed upwards to 20 people doing all sorts of work (collection, disassemble, repair, security, scouting, administrative, etc).

If you are looking for something in particular just ask.

Mike is going to trade in his M16A2 for Frank's M4A1 (although he'll remove the brass catcher bag).  It has an M203 on it, but Mike isn't good enough to use it if anyone else wants it.  At this point it'd be excess weight for him.

In reply to Mike Catchings (msg #46):

Ok, make the change on your sheet please.

Fuse - I've had a go at splitting out the tasks into 4 categories - some of the ones in group A might need to shift to group B if they're likely to take more than a couple of hours.

Task List:

A) Tasks needing to be done within a few hours on site:
 - deal with the intact canisters of gas and the damaged ones - Partially done by Mike but waiting to be moved.
 - recover and decontaminate all gear left by the forklift
 - find out from the women if any of the dead are people that they want to bury in a single grave rather than a mass grave (I imagine Lada is one of those that they want to bury)
 - bury the dead - Not done yet due to manpower/time issue.
 - investigate the small commercial property that hugs the river's edge over to the east
 - investigate the old junkyard or small recycling facility to the west of the ruin
 - improve the OPs on top of the grain elevator
 - see if the broken searchlight can be repaired
 - see if one of the old ZSU-23-2 mounts can be adapted to mount the KPV
 - do something about Varis and Meyer's infected wounds and check out Low Blow's illness
 - give Low Blow $100 out of the $6400 in gold - (old instruction of JJM's that hasn't been done yet)


B) Tasks needing to be done on site but which will take more than a couple of hours:
 - erect the second wind turbine
 - fix the vehicles that have been largly cannibalized (two civilian autos, a delivery truck and a BTR-60) - will require a significant amount of work and parts


C) Tasks needing to be done offsite by recce parties:
 - build up stocks of non-perishable food
 - see if the wreck of the M113 is still where we left it and whether anything can be salvaged from it (including towing it back to the compound)
 - see if the wreck of the BTR is still where we left it and whether anything can be salvaged from it (including towing it back to the compound)
 - obtain more transport


D) Long term tasks that can be done "off camera" later on:
 - find out what happened to Lt. Boswell
 - find out details of Wright's mission and details of the "rewards"
 - find out more about the missing ammo ship
 - work out who we want to hand the compound over to and what we can trade that for
 - work out who we can trade the salvaging information to
This message was last edited by the player at 21:04, Sat 24 Sept 2011.

Ok, final bits of the turn are up.

I realize all of that information might not even apply to all of the PCs, but you can still be active by taking on any one of the goals that Ortega outlined. What I mean is, even if you don't usually participate in the planning and logistics of the party, there are other more active things available to be done independently.

Fuse - do you need an OOC version of what tasks everyone has been assigned to do?

Also in writing it up I've assumed that Alex, Eikki and Caleb are still in their guard positions and haven't yet been rotated.  Hopefully that's ok.

Thanks.

No, I think that is okay. It's clear. Hopefully it'll help pushing things forward again, but if there is anything I can do, PM me or something.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:28, Sun 25 Sept 2011.

Actually, on second thought, are you guys planning on doing anything more that might require combat or meeting new people withing say, 2 weeks?

If not, this might be a good time to wrap everything all up and push ahead to get everyone healed up and ready to go again.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:30, Sun 25 Sept 2011.

I think that it all depends on how difficult some of these things are.  Taking it task by task my opinions are as follows:

B) Tasks needing to be done on site but which will take more than a couple of hours:
 - fix the vehicles that have been largely cannibalized (two civilian autos, a delivery truck and a BTR-60) - will require a significant amount of work and parts - this may be beyond our skills and we'll need to trade for the parts anyway and is only possibly worth roleplaying through in detail if we're getting the parts to repair the BTR-60


C) Tasks needing to be done offsite by recce parties:
 - build up stocks of non-perishable food - we may be able to trade some of the equipment, salvaged items and salvage site information for food but that's probably not worth roleplaying through

 - see if the wreck of the M113 is still where we left it and whether anything can be salvaged from it (including towing it back to the compound) - if there is a potential "encounter" involved with this then it's worth roleplaying through in detail, otherwise it could probably be summarised

 - see if the wreck of the BTR is still where we left it and whether anything can be salvaged from it (including towing it back to the compound) - if there is a potential "encounter" involved with this then it's worth roleplaying through in detail, otherwise it could probably be summarised

 - obtain more transport - - we may be able to trade some of the equipment, salvaged items and salvage site information for a vehicle but that's probably not worth roleplaying through


D) Long term tasks that can be done "off camera" later on:
 - find out what happened to Lt. Boswell - if there is a potential "encounter" involved with this then it's worth roleplaying through in detail, otherwise it could probably be summarised

 - find out details of Wright's mission and details of the "rewards" - I think that this certainly needs to be roleplayed through in detail if/when it happens

 - find out more about the missing ammo ship - if there is a potential "encounter" involved with this then it's worth roleplaying through in detail, otherwise it could probably be summarised

 - work out who we want to hand the compound over to and what we can trade that for - if there is a potential "encounter" involved with this then it's worth roleplaying through in detail, otherwise it could probably be summarised

 - work out who we can trade the salvaging information to - if there is a potential "encounter" involved with this then it's worth roleplaying through in detail, otherwise it could probably be summarised

I think that shortcutting as much as possible of this sounds like a good idea though.  The problem is food however - currently we have the following in the stores:

MRE Rations (15 units - suitable for 15 man/days)
Domestic Rations - Small Box (25 meals)
Domestic Rations - Large Box (75 meals)
x25 man days of postwar domestic food (mostly non-perishable)

We also have about 22 people to feed (depending on who exactly you include) so that means that we've got enough food to feed our unit for about 3 to 4 days.

That raises a question though.  As we're still reporting to the IB can we still draw food rations from them?  If we can't then we need to work out how we're feeding ourselves, particularly if we're sitting tight while people heal up.

We're sitting on a potential salvaging goldmine but I think that we need to start trading much of it away to feed ourselves and to build up non-perishable food stocks for when we start travelling.

Another thought concerns fuel.  I don't think that we have a still anymore but can we draw fuel supplies from the IB anymore?  If we can then we need to stock up fully and also fill as many jerry cans as we can on the quiet.

I've thought of a few more items to add to this list (highlighted in italics):

Task List:

A) Tasks needing to be done within a few hours on site:
 - deal with the intact canisters of gas and the damaged ones - Partially done by Mike but waiting to be moved.
 - recover and decontaminate all gear left by the forklift
 - find out from the women if any of the dead are people that they want to bury in a single grave rather than a mass grave (I imagine Lada is one of those that they want to bury)
 - bury the dead - Not done yet due to manpower/time issue.
 - investigate the small commercial property that hugs the river's edge over to the east
 - investigate the old junkyard or small recycling facility to the west of the ruin
 - improve the OPs on top of the grain elevator
 - see if the broken searchlight can be repaired
 - see if one of the old ZSU-23-2 mounts can be adapted to mount the KPV
 - do something about Varis and Meyer's infected wounds and check out Low Blow's illness
 - give Low Blow $100 out of the $6400 in gold - (old instruction of JJM's that hasn't been done yet)


B) Tasks needing to be done on site but which will take more than a couple of hours:
 - erect the second wind turbine
 - fix the vehicles that have been largely cannibalized (two civilian autos, a delivery truck and a BTR-60) - will require a significant amount of work and parts
- see if the equipment in the grain elevator and/or processing plant can be used to construct a still - is Farming the right skill for this?


C) Tasks needing to be done offsite by recce parties:
 - build up stocks of non-perishable food
 - see if the wreck of the M113 is still where we left it and whether anything can be salvaged from it (including towing it back to the compound)
 - see if the wreck of the BTR is still where we left it and whether anything can be salvaged from it (including towing it back to the compound)
 - obtain more transport


D) Long term tasks that can be done "off camera" later on:
 - find out what happened to Lt. Boswell
 - find out details of Wright's mission and details of the "rewards"
 - find out more about the missing ammo ship
 - work out who we want to hand the compound over to and what we can trade that for
 - work out who we can trade the salvaging information to
- try to contact Kaminski to use him as a middleman for trading salvage and to see if he knows anyone who could take over the salvage operation (and pay us for it)
This message was last edited by the player at 19:46, Sun 25 Sept 2011.

What's the "Heavy Demolition Charge" in the stores?
What's the Pen and DPV?

In reply to Eikki Termonen (msg #55):

Small footlocker filled with a timed explosive device.

The PC's wouldn't know what the Pen and DPV is.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:45, Mon 26 Sept 2011.

But those with Combat engineer skill, such as Eikki, should be able to take a guess as to how powerful it is compared to say the demolition blocks he's carrying or C4.

Meyer's the designated combat engineer of the group, right?

What ever happened to the tank killer guys that were attached to us in the last fight?

In reply to Eikki Termonen (msg #57):

They did - estimating it would make a very large breach or take down the side of a building (depending on what it was made of). If a house or something couldn't be cleared by infantry for example, the explosive could be laid outside and demolish the building. Or it could be used to breach large, structurally sound buildings.

In reply to Mike Catchings (msg #58):

Yes he is.

In reply to Mike Catchings (msg #59):

They got separated in the first couple of minutes of the large battle against the Soviets. They were last seen trying to make it over to Waterloo Company, who are their parent unit.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:51, Mon 26 Sept 2011.

In reply to Mike Catchings (msg #58):

Meyer may be the designated engineer (and why the hell isn't he therefore tasked with digging holes?), but Mulcahy and Eikki are no slouches with explosives either. Eikki himself has substantial experience with blowing up railway lines, bridges and other infrastruture targets behind enemy lines.
At a glance, Young has Excavation skill too so lets toss him a shovel! (Yes, Eikki is feeling lazy). :D

Sounds like that demo charge could be a lot of fun then! :P
What's it weigh and what's the type of explosive it contains? C4, Anfo, home made chemistry experiment?

In reply to Eikki Termonen (msg #61):

Leg, do you really want me to explain OOC why Meyer and Young aren't digging holes and Eikki is?

In reply to Eikki Termonen (msg #61):

Leg - Caleb only has a decent Combat Engineer rating due to his high Con, his skill level is basic at best. Also, he has an injured arm so isn't really up for digging firepits just yet.

Ortega - I would be happy to be assigned to interrogating the female prisoner/survivor, as I am one of the best non-native Polish speakers, and have a high Cha/Persuasion score. Also happy to get involved in investigation work.

Is it worth trying to hire some more locals to deal with mundane tasks, such as burying dead, as well as manning the salvage yard?

Also, as per my IC post, we need to deal with the dogs.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:40, Mon 26 Sept 2011.

Can I take the following from stores:

1x binoculars

In reply to Luis Ortega (msg #62):

Of course not! Anyone can see that was tongue in cheek. If I was serious I'd have posted something IC.
However, it may be worth noting for future reference which characters have construction type skills. I'm not stressed about it, but there's probably some characters who could be put to better use (even if only supervising unskilled workers while they sit back nursing wounds).

What is the plan anyway? Is the group moving in and making a home for a while, or just stripping the place, trading the excess for fuel and supplies,m and getting the hell out of town before the political power struggles kills us all?

In reply to Eikki Termonen (msg #65):

See message #21 for an IC response about how long we’re staying for.

In summary though I think that the plan is to stay put long enough for people to heal up before we decide what to do next (and that is yet undecided).  The other major constraint for how long we stay in the city is food - see the bottom of message #53 above.  We have enough food at present for 3 to 4 days and that isn't long enough for all the serious wounds to heal to slight.

Agreed, and with the Russians and Poles effectively laying siege in the surrounding farmland, I'm not seeing much opportunity for food supplies to grow either.
Perhaps time to plan another raid on a food warehouse, before rationing really kicks in and the masses do something stupid.

Do we know that that is the current situation for certain?

It follows logically that they still control the surrounding countryside but with the failure of their siege it's possible that they are now pulling back to easier to control positions.

Essentially we need an update on this I think.

Not a typical siege as such, but I can't imagine the farmers would be doing much farming, and the traders doing a lot of travelling outside the city either. All in all, I just don't see the Russians and Poles allowing much of anything going into the city.
I can't see a lot of reasons they'd stop anyone leaving though - every abled bodied person able to hold a weapon on the way somewhere else is one less they need to deal with when the time comes for another assault. Leaving might be a little hairy though for those in trucks and other cargo carrying vehicles. The soldiers might feel like plundering a potentially rich group if they feel the risk isn't too great.
Waiting until later to leave might also work against us given the enemy are currently in somewhat of a disarray. Give them a few days to reorganise, mount patrols and so forth...

Yes. Add it to your sheet please.

Update on the outstanding task list:

A) Tasks needing to be done within a few hours on site:
 - deal with the intact canisters of gas and the damaged ones - Partially done by Mike but waiting to be moved.
 - recover and decontaminate all gear left by the forklift
 - find out from the women if any of the dead are people that they want to bury in a single grave rather than a mass grave (I imagine Lada is one of those that they want to bury)
 - bury the dead - Not done yet due to manpower/time issue.
 - investigate the small commercial property that hugs the river's edge over to the east
 - investigate the old junkyard or small recycling facility to the west of the ruin
 - improve the OPs on top of the grain elevator
 - see if the broken searchlight can be repaired
 - see if one of the old ZSU-23-2 mounts can be adapted to mount the KPV
 - do something about Varis and Meyer's infected wounds and check out Low Blow's illness
 - give Low Blow $100 out of the $6400 in gold - (old instruction of JJM's that hasn't been done yet)


B) Tasks needing to be done on site but which will take more than a couple of hours:
 - erect the second wind turbine
 - fix the vehicles that have been largely cannibalized (two civilian autos, a delivery truck and a BTR-60) - will require a significant amount of work and parts
 - see if the equipment in the grain elevator and/or processing plant can be used to construct a still - is Farming the right skill for this?


C) Tasks needing to be done offsite by recce parties:
 - build up stocks of non-perishable food
 - see if the wreck of the M113 is still where we left it and whether anything can be salvaged from it (including towing it back to the compound)
 - see if the wreck of the BTR is still where we left it and whether anything can be salvaged from it (including towing it back to the compound)
 - obtain more transport


D) Long term tasks that can be done "off camera" later on:
 - find out what happened to Lt. Boswell
 - find out details of Wright's mission and details of the "rewards"
 - find out more about the missing ammo ship
 - work out who we want to hand the compound over to and what we can trade that for
 - work out who we can trade the salvaging information to
 - try to contact Kaminski to use him as a middleman for trading salvage and to see if he knows anyone who could take over the salvage operation (and pay us for it)
 - find out more about the situation outside of Gdansk and whether PACT troops have started to withdraw back to their cantonments and garrisons


Fuse - one question that you've missed on the above - is Farming the right skill to set up a still?

I would think Mechanic is the skill required given most of the canon background material seems to have the groups mechanic dealing with it.
Chemistry might also apply, at least to running it...

Hmm... Education, Biology, Chemistry, Mechanic, Machinist, Farming and Scrounging could all be relevant to some degree or another.

Depending on who is given the task, I'll look at what skills they have and make a roll (combining more than one skill if possible).
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:27, Mon 26 Sept 2011.

In reply to Fusilier (msg #73):

Fair enough - that makes sense.

I think that 1st Ed rules had it as a Farming skill task but I may well be wrong!

In reply to Luis Ortega (msg #74):

Maybe. I don't have my books and can't remember. Even if there was only one skill listed though, I still think more than one can be applicable, or combined to some degree.

For example, distillation is just a means of physical separation which I taught in science class. I explained and designed on the blackboard the concept of a still - and I don't have any real mechanical or farming skills.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:36, Mon 26 Sept 2011.

In reply to Fusilier (msg #75):

It was probably just a way of making the farming skill have some use in the game! <G>

Hey, I thought I still had a hunting rifle scope on my PC list (it was on my initial gear bonus).  IDK if I already gave it up for the stores but, if needed, throw it on the Nagant as a counter-sniper weapon?

Also, have [20] loose 12G buckshot from personal gear to unit stores (already off sheet).

In reply to Francis 'Frank' Benucci (msg #77):

It's in the stores under: "Hunting Rifle Scopexlow"

I'll add the shells.

Thank you!

There is no specific skill for the construction and operation of a still in any of the books. It is likely simply assumed that everyone knows how to make fuel by 2000. Construction of a still needs parts (scrounging) and technical skills (mechanic). Chemistry may assist, but it's not really needed.
Farming is a useful, if overlooked skill. What else do you need to recognize ripe crops, notice diseased grains, or in a longer term situation, maximize yield. What post nuke military unit would be complete without competent farmers? As for alcohol production, I don't see it, it's all about growing planets and animals, not playing with an overgrown chemistry set.

I realize there is things that need to be done beforehand, but Ferro will volunteer for checking out the neighbors.

Fuse - sorry for taking a while to respond to several questions that were posed IC to Ortega.  Hopefully who is doing what now is clear but please yell if you've got any questions.

Thanks.

Will do.  Also I hope that you don't mind Ortega asking Frank to find out more of Ferro's background.  I'm suspecting (as a player) that there's an interesting story to discover there.

While I understand the intention behind the order and OOC logic, Oskar isn't really the best person for the job.
He's seriously wounded to start with and one of his legs simply doesn't work.
He's never been eastward.
There's an entire team of characters who came back from the 8th with orders to collect up every last straggler and send them east.

Any one of that team has a wealth of information about conditions to the east. Every last one of them had specific orders which were to be, and have been IC at least in part*, passed on to stragglers such as Major McCarthy.
Those orders, in a nutshell, were to "get your arse into gear and catch up to the 8th taking every last scrap of stores you can lay your hands on".

* Msg #524 #698 #701 link to a message in this game

Turn is up. See the OOC section at the bottom for a game play question I'd like the players to make their voice on.

In reply to Eikki Termonen (msg #84):

It's mostly for OOC reasons, but JJM is going to need all of his combat ready men for his next moves. Besides, Oskar would have also fought any man standing in his way of a solo mission anyways.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:36, Wed 28 Sept 2011.

Is it worth talking to Thomas about returning the Bradley and compensation for loosing so much other kit? That's two AFVs, a Humvee and at least a tonne of stores, not to mention a number of dead.
From my recollection, the IB and city in general have given the unit nothing. Virtually every last scrap of ammo, etc had to be traded fro with our own resources and we're now in a worse state than when we started.

Why did we come near Gdasnk in the first place? Seeking fuel and other basic stores to enable a catch up to the 8th.

Something else to keep in the back of our minds is the truck Black's unit has stashed on the east side of the Vistula. Fuse, can we say we disabled and booby trapped it when it was left? In all honesty I don't imagine it will still be undiscovered when we get back there, so it would be nice to see it destroyed and a bunch of bodies piled up around it. :D

Re Oskar, I hope he's got water wings for the bike. Swimming across the river with it on his back is going to be somewhat "difficult".

I'm on-line for another 24 hours.  Then i am away for 9 days (desert crossing holiday).

Fusilier, I'll likely need you to NPC Will.

kcdusk (Will)

Fuse

Re how we proceed, I am happy to go with the group consensus. There are a few possibilities for side adventures, such as checking out our neighbours, but most tasks can probably be wrapped up by an all-encompassing post by you. We could then fastforward a bit, allowing the team to heal up.

Fuse - please can I double check that I'm understanding the status of these tasks correctly:

A) Tasks needing to be done within a few hours on site:
 - deal with the intact canisters of gas and the damaged ones - Done
 - recover and decontaminate all gear left by the forklift - Done
 - find out from the women if any of the dead are people that they want to bury in a single grave rather than a mass grave - Done but we have 2 dead bodies that need to be returned to families
 - bury the dead - Done
 - investigate the small commercial property that hugs the river's edge over to the east
 - investigate the old junkyard or small recycling facility to the west of the ruin
 - improve the OPs on top of the grain elevator - Done
 - see if the broken searchlight can be repaired - cabling needs to be checked
 - see if one of the old ZSU-23-2 mounts can be adapted to mount the KPV - not possible
 - do something about Varis and Meyer's infected wounds and check out Low Blow's illness
 - give Low Blow $100 out of the $6400 in gold - (old instruction of JJM's that hasn't been done yet)


B) Tasks needing to be done on site but which will take more than a couple of hours:
 - erect the second wind turbine
 - fix the vehicles that have been largely cannibalized (two civilian autos, a delivery truck and a BTR-60) - will require a significant amount of work and parts
 - see if the equipment in the grain elevator and/or processing plant can be used to construct a still


C) Tasks needing to be done offsite by recce parties:
 - build up stocks of non-perishable food
 - see if the wreck of the M113 is still where we left it and whether anything can be salvaged from it (including towing it back to the compound)
 - see if the wreck of the BTR is still where we left it and whether anything can be salvaged from it (including towing it back to the compound)
 - obtain more transport


D) Long term tasks that can be done "off camera" later on:
 - find out what happened to Lt. Boswell
 - find out details of Wright's mission and details of the "rewards"
 - find out more about the missing ammo ship
 - work out who we want to hand the compound over to and what we can trade that for
 - work out who we can trade the salvaging information to
 - try to contact Kaminski to use him as a middleman for trading salvage and to see if he knows anyone who could take over the salvage operation (and pay us for it)
 - find out more about the situation outside of Gdansk and whether PACT troops have started to withdraw back to their cantonments and garrisons

Fuse - Personally I think that there are a load of tasks that can be narrated by you rather than played through in detail unless some kind of encounter occurs which requires roleplaying.

For example going to check on the wrecks of the M113 and the BTR can probably be narrated even if we're successful in recovering them and only need to be roleplayed through if something is actually going to occur during the investigation.

The same goes for investigating the small commercial property and the old junkyard that are close to the compound.

I think that these two might need to be roleplayed through:
 - find out what happened to Lt. Boswell
 - find out more about the missing ammo ship

And this one will have to be roleplayed though as Wright is a dodgy bastard! <G>:
 - find out details of Wright's mission and details of the "rewards"

Wright's mission would be best addressed after everyone has recovered though, not in the interim.

The actual mission itself yes, but we need to find out the details of what the mission is before we decide whether we're taking it or not! <G>

That's what I'm talking about at this stage.

Ok thanks for the heads up. Desert crossing sounds interesting. Take some pictures... I'm pretty sure I have one or two on my hard drive that you took and posted a long time ago.



We can make it booby trapped. If the group goes that way, I'll be rolling for the outcome.



Actually... pretty much everything that is done on site can be resolved during the downtime and is required to be played out. I think only events that happen outside of the compound need to be played out since there is the increased risk of danger and communication with locals.

...and now that I've just read your next post, I see that you pretty much agree.

I think that's what we should do.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:12, Wed 28 Sept 2011.

The surviving members of the rearguard can probably shed some light on that. There were two BTRs involved in assault on the city, one of them I suspect was ours. If it was, chances are the enemy also recovered the M113 which was abandoned a few hours earlier.

Why not install Low Blow and Alexander (along with any other NPC ally who puts their hand up)?
I can't imagine the local recruits will want to leave the city if they have a choice, not when there's such a rich setup right here...
Low Blow probably already has all the necessary contacts what with being Kaminski's brother.

Varis volunteers to be unit Liaison with whoever we install as the new landlord of Lada's complex.

link to a message in this game
Can everyone please update (or create) their listing?
An update the the Health Status and Healing times would be nice too. By the look of it, Frank is completely healed - today's date is the 6th, he's shown as healed on the 5th, while JJ is shown to still be suffering a serious arm injury (thereby rendering it useless for grave digging). :S
This message was last edited by the player at 01:56, Thu 29 Sept 2011.

Eikki will put his hand up for these tasks in this order of preference.

1. find out more about the situation outside of Gdansk and whether PACT troops have started to withdraw back to their cantonments and garrisons - probably best done with a two to three day long range patrol of 3-4 people. Suggest Eikki, Micheals and Morgan and perhaps a Polish speaker who can also move with stealth, aka "the recce group"
2. investigate the small commercial property that hugs the river's edge over to the east - recce group
3. investigate the old junkyard or small recycling facility to the west of the ruin - recce group plus somebody with tech/scrounging skills
4. see if the wreck of the M113 is still where we left it and whether anything can be salvaged from it - recce group plus mechanic
5. see if the wreck of the BTR is still where we left it and whether anything can be salvaged from it - recce group plus mechanic
6. find out more about the missing ammo ship - recce group plus Polish speaker with Persuasion skill
7. build up stocks of non-perishable food anybody
8. obtain more transport - scrounger(s)
9. find out what happened to Lt. Boswell - Polish speaker with Persuasion skill

The number of wounded rather restricts choice for recconisance at the moment and I'd have added Ortega to the recce group except he's 2IC now and needed at base to run the administrative side of things.
From what we know so far of character skills, we have soem gapping holes in capabilities - nobody with Mechanic, Electronics, Interrogation, and limited skill in Biology, Chemistry, Persuasion, and Scrounging. These are areas experience points would be wisely assigned to.
We don't really need more characters with Combat Engineer, Wheeled Vehicle, Survival, although improving what's already there is never a bad thing.

I have a funeral to deal with today and tomorrow.  I will try and get responses out as soon as I can.

John

In reply to Eikki Termonen (msg #98):

Caleb has a high charisma and can be pretty persuasive, especially if your dumb, blonde and (preferably) female. He also speaks Polish.

OK, we’re going to split into 3 teams shortly so that each team can handle some tasks outside of the compound.  A couple of people have already made suggestions on what tasks they’d like to get involved with but what group would others like to be in?

Please state your preference as a player and we’ll try to work round it.

Thanks.

---

Group 1:
 - investigate the small commercial property that hugs the river's edge over to the east
 - investigate the old junkyard or small recycling facility to the west of the ruin
Members: Ortega, Ferro, Eikki

Group 2:
 - see if the wreck of the M113 is still where we left it and whether anything can be salvaged from it (including towing it back to the compound)
 - see if the wreck of the BTR is still where we left it and whether anything can be salvaged from it (including towing it back to the compound)
Members:

Group 3:
 - find out what happened to Lt. Boswell
 - find out details of Wright's mission and details of the "rewards"
 - find out more about the missing ammo ship
 - try to contact Kaminski to use him as a middleman for trading salvage and to see if he knows anyone who could take over the salvage operation (and pay us for it)
Members: JJM

Sorry to hear that. No rush.


His supervising and motivating is worth 5 diggers.


I'll try to do my best to keep the female bit in mind. We'll love surprises though don't we?
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:15, Thu 29 Sept 2011.

Put Frank into group one or two.

Not that it matters much, but I think Low Blow is just a friend.

Superb - I suggest that Frank command group 2.

Thinking about it further I suggest that Will, Alexander and Felix go in group 2 and that Caleb and Low Blow go in group 3.  What do you think?

It also sounds like Varis wants to be in group 3 but Rae will need to confirm.

Fox, Young and Meyer can stay at the compound to guard it.

That leaves Crack, Alex, Mike and Joe to decide what they would like to do.

I had thought employee myself but I've never seen them interacting together as a pair of characters so I don't really know.  I didn't think that they were brothers though!

JJM is going after Kaminski... he'll be out on the streets, probably in seedy places, and need someone as security as well as being a Polish speaker.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:53, Thu 29 Sept 2011.

Varis would seem to fit this bill and he and Kaminski had a pretty solid rapport.

If anyone knows anything about Kaminski....

Crack would like to look over the BTR and M113 wrecks so group 2.

Cymon.

Actually, you are both right. Sort of.

Low Blow is not his brother. Despite that error, it was said a couple times before that he is just an employee and friend. That's always how I intended it and don't know why it says 'brother' there.

EDIT - actually I just realized it was meant to say BROTHEL/hotel

-Pretty criminal and Kaminski's lanky brother/hotel concierge and security guy
-Pretty criminal and Kaminski's lanky brothel/hotel concierge and security guy

Low Blow, Kaminski's sickly looking hotel concierge and security, makes it clear he wishes to head out on his own to try to find his resourceful employer. He asks to keep the shotgun and two dozen shells as payment for his service with the the mortar crew. You never did learn his real name.

Low Blow runs his tongue across the top row of a crooked set of yellow and black stained teeth as he mulls over the American's proposal. Gold? Kaminski only ever paid him in booze, tobacco, and food. He never even let me have a free go at the girls, thought. But the gold would eventually run out and resourceful Kaminski was an endless source of employment. He was also one of his only friends, but nobody really knew that. Not even Kaminski.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:41, Fri 30 Sept 2011.

Where the hell is Lada's / base? I can't find the damn thing on any map!!! :S

In reply to Eikki Termonen (msg #112):

That's because it isn't an actual place in Gdansk. The location for the game though is roughly north of FOB Czarniecki on the Northwest side of the river.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:44, Fri 30 Sept 2011.

Ah, that explains it then...
So to get there, we'd have probably had to have passed by the last known location of the M113, or at least within a few hundred metres of it?

In reply to Eikki Termonen (msg #114):

Actually yes. Upon looking at the map, that would be correct.

Got no problem going with group #2.  Will work the security part of it while the vehicles are being recovered/salvaged.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:33, Fri 30 Sept 2011.

In reply to Fusilier (msg #115):

So do we already know the answer of the M113 status then?
How about the BTR's involved in the assault on the city, was one recognised as previously ours?
This message was last edited by the player at 02:39, Fri 30 Sept 2011.

Can Ferro sneak?
Does anyone in this group have mechanical or scrounging skills? Mulcahy is the best scrounger we've got I believe. Eikki has some Construction and Excavation experience.
Alex Michaels should accompany group 1 as he and Eikki are a team.

Felix Steinhoff (Bradley driver) is probably the only one we've got with Mechanic skill. If the group two mission is now moot, they should probably accompany group one.

What information can we gather from ourselves BEFORE stepping off. For example, Low Blow may have a good idea where to find Kaminski. I wold also suggest it's a good time for Ortega to tell JJ everything about the mission that brought many of the characters to Gdansk.

Gathering everything we already know into one place is going to save time, and potentially lives.

Seeing how it's just become clear to me that you would have to have driven by, yeah - it's gone. The BTR was also recovered (I'll need to check back but I recall the group who went in the sewer might have some info on that).



I'll leave Ferro to answer for herself, once that information becomes known.

Felix has some mechanic, but he isn't great at it.

Low Blow will have some leads on Kaminski. I'll get something up asap - but won't be right away so there is time for someone like JJM to approach him IC.

Probably a VERY good idea for either JJ and/or Ortega to ask what skills everyone has IC.
Pointless just assigning people based on wild guesses, especially if we simply don't have the necessary skill to complete a mission in the first place.

Take a wild guess at what Mike's good at...


Anyway, it may be boring IC, but if there's going to be any sort of mission soon, Mike will be....reluctant.  While others have snagged cat naps here and there, his exhaustion is got to be about maxed out.  Always had to deal with the wounded.  In fact I'm tempted to have him block the door to his room with his gear...

Tiddlywinks?

There are a few other PCs with some medical training/skill. Perhaps Catchings should "draft" some to help out occasionally, give them the task of first aid on the battlefield while he sorts out the more important stuff, or better yet mans the aid post and the first aiders deal with the intial injury and arrange for transportation of the wounded to him - Catchings probably shouldn't have to race all over the battlefield like he has been, especially when there's multiple wide spread casualties.

Perhaps Catchings should teach everyone basic medical skills? It's got to be worth an experience point or two from each character to learn how to slap a bandage on themselves or their teammate and save their arses?

Edit: in fact, that's exactly what I'm going to do now with Eikki's solitary point. Fuse, +1 medical trauma! (he now knows how to apply a bandaid)
This message was last edited by the player at 04:44, Fri 30 Sept 2011.

That's an idea.  During the off time (over the period of the next few weeks) Mike will give courses on basic first aid (we call it soldier first responder in the army now).  Treatment of the big 3 killers = extremity hemorrhaging, tension pneumothorax (sucking chest wound), and airway obstruction.  He'll show everyone how to use a tourniquet, chest decompression needle, and airway clearing stuff.  They may or may not have the above equipment in their personal kits, but the tourniquet and bandage thing will be the big ones.

Back in my day, first aid to the level of treating lost limbs sucking chest wounds and the like was all part of basic recruit training....
You didn't pass and you didn't get out of basic. Then, in the IET (Initial Employment Training) course for infantry, we ran over it all again and expanded on battlefield injuries. The rule was, if you were conscious, you had to tend to your own injuries as best you could until help arrived.
And it didn't stop there either. There were constant refresher classes as part of normal routine.

It confuses the hell out of me now when I see that the first response for many these days is to ignore the blood pumping out of them and call for the designated/specialist medic. Don't these soldiers know how to apply pressure to a wound, or splint a broken leg? It's not exactly rocket science! :S

Almost have to be one floating about in Ladas' kit wouldn't there?

Group 2's tasks are now moot so I suggest that we combine groups 1 and 2 together.  I'm in meetings today so will post revised assignments later when I get a chance.

In reply to Luis Ortega (msg #126):

Alternatively, now would be a good time for a recce team to set out as I suggested a couple of days ago. Stealth is key so only those that have a decent amount of skill should go. While they're gone, several shorter duration missions can be run one after another by those who stay behind.
Before any move is considered, information on what's outside the city must be obtained. The only way of getting accurate information is by putting our own eyes on the ground. Could buy the information, but who's to say it's accurate, current, or not a trap?

Thorough first aid training is still a big part of basic.  Those 3 were the biggest.

OK - revised assignments for tasks:

Group 1:
 - investigate the small commercial property that hugs the river's edge over to the east
 - investigate the old junkyard or small recycling facility to the west of the ruin
Members: Ortega, Ferro, Eikki, Alex, Crack, Frank, Will & Aleksandar.

Group 2:
 - find out what happened to Lt. Boswell
 - find out details of Wright's mission and details of the "rewards"
 - find out more about the missing ammo ship
 - try to contact Kaminski to use him as a middleman for trading salvage and to see if he knows anyone who could take over the salvage operation (and pay us for it)
Members: JJM, Varis, Caleb, Low Blow & Morgan
Transport: UAZ - Morgan can drive and stay with the vehicle to guard it
This message was last edited by the player at 19:42, Sat 01 Oct 2011.

Mike would object to Varis going unless it's absolutely critical.

I'm just writing these instructions IC - I suggest that once I've posted you post IC discussing this with JJM.

Sound ok?

In reply to Luis Ortega (msg #131):

Actually I could use some IC or OOC details on Group 2. I'm working on the turn, but realize that I'm using a lot of guessing.

- find out what happened to Lt. Boswell
He is with Wright and you don't have a means to contact him at this point (I'm pretty sure).

- find out details of Wright's mission and details of the "rewards"
Same as above.

- find out more about the missing ammo ship
This is more simply done, but I could use a plan to make it easier.

- try to contact Kaminski to use him as a middleman for trading salvage and to see if he knows anyone who could take over the salvage operation (and pay us for it)

I'll post an IC from Low Blow to help you out with this one.

We have an old radio frequency that Wright used to contact us. It might be worthwhile calling on that every half an hour to see if he answers us.

As for the Ammo ship, JJ would visit the IB HQ to tell them that he knows about the ship and offer the unit to try to track it down if it can wait until everyone is healed up. The present regimen may not be very co-operative, but it's part of his campaign to get the IB to respond in a more positive way, after all, we've played by the book for a while now and they may be more forthcoming than I'm expecting.

If they screw us around, it might be worth visiting the guy we rescued from the Police building/Courts as the Colonel said he had info about the ship.

Obviously Low Blow is the best bet for tracking down Kamineski.

Thanks for that Mark. I forgot.

Can you roll for the treatment of the infection?  And if it's treated successfully, how long will it take Varis (and Meyer) to be healed?

In reply to Mike Catchings (msg #136):

Treatment of infection:

-Task is Difficult (Medical-Diagnosis)
-Task is Average (Medical-Diagnosis) if antibiotics are used
-One roll/attempt may be made per week

Healing rates would be normal for their wounds once successfully healed of infected.

Can you make the attempt now, or did he already do his for the week?

The reason is so I can say whether or not Mike will let Varis go.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:22, Sat 01 Oct 2011.

In reply to Mike Catchings (msg #138):

I've made the rolls, but the results wouldn't be knowable right away. It'd take a day at the least for Mike to assess whether the infection is clearing up or persisting.

Also, I'll get back to you on what medical supplies were used up. I assume Mike used antibiotics?
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:05, Sat 01 Oct 2011.

Actually he's a fan of 'rub some dirt on it and you'll be a'ight'

Will finish the other group's turn tomorrow.

Fuse - am I right that the small commercial property we're about to investigate is located at U4 on the local area map?  Also please can you outline the distance from the tanks to the property?

Thanks.

In reply to Luis Ortega (msg #142):

Correct...
 Station - X2
 House - X4
 Fuel Tanks - T5/U4
 Patrol - S3

The property is about 200 meters across.

Route 1 is 200 meters down the road to the station. No cover.
Route 2 is 200 meters through a field to the house (first 100m are amongst large fuel tanks then 100 meters through just tall grass and light brush).


This message was last edited by the GM at 15:33, Sun 02 Oct 2011.

In reply to Fusilier (msg #143):

Thanks for the info.  I'll post IC later tonight but we'll take the route via the tanks.

In reply to Luis Ortega (msg #144):

Okay, no problem. I just realized I cropped the map without showing the Y axis indicators. S4 (where the party is), is where the "s" is in "Ruins"
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:28, Sun 02 Oct 2011.

In reply to Fusilier (msg #145):

So the tanks are the four smaller black coloured structures and the four larger sandy coloured structures then?  How high are they, can we see any maintenance ladders fixed to the side of them and what are they made from?  Concrete I'm assuming.

Ta.

That's right. 4 large and 4 small (the small ones look old and were probably replaced by the newer larger ones).

The large ones are concrete but the 4 small ones are steel.

The large concrete ones are about 4 meters tall (being buried into the ground) but the steel ones are about 6 meters. All have steel maintenance ladder attached.

In reply to Fusilier (msg #147):

Thanks for the info - just to check one other thing, are you ruling that Wil has done as ordered and taken the RPK-74 plus several 45 round mags out of the stores?  I'm conscious that the player's away at present.

Thanks.

Nearly done the turn. I just realized though that most of the talk about an ammunition freighter was done in secret. Since it's becoming a relevant topic now, this is the discussion that Hawthorne said to JJM after the Nowe Ogrody battle.

If you recall, you're mission in Nowe Ogrody was to break through to the beleaguered community leadership, a guy named Adamowicz in particular, and escort him to safety - ultimately leaving a large number of the militia to their demise.

---

"Pearce told me there were some ill feelings about your mission today. Keep this information from becoming public knowledge. Today wasn't some bullshit mission. Yes the militia got hung out. I made that call. A tough decision. But getting the leader out was more important. I can't go into much detail, and you best not spread it further than your senior men, but..."

"Think back to the offensive. Two MarDiv comes across the Baltic by sea, launching amphibious landings along the coast. Accompanying the division were replenishment stores for my division, as well as you Eightballers and a few others. Fuel, munitions, and food. To make a long story short - bad weather, unknown minefields, radio silence, poor navigating charts and a missile boat attack all made the sea crossing less than enjoyable. We lost a couple of the replenishment freighters."

"Until now. One has been found. And Adamowicz is the key to recovering it."

"Securing the vessel and recovering the cargo will cement our position here. It could even give us some limited power projection capabilities. Anyways. Its too late to salvage it now, not with the siege and sea blockade going on, but after we win the battle here... we'll be set. I need Adamowicz for that to happen."

In reply to Luis Ortega (msg #148):

Yes, he's NPC'd at the moment until KC gets back from his holiday. Will has the RPK as instructed.

In reply to Fusilier (msg #150):

Thanks for confirming that.

---

Fuse/JJM - please can one of you add this to the Intel thread for future reference. (I'd do it but Ortega posting it implies that it's info from Ortega)

Thanks.

Fuse - a minor thing but please can Ortega take 40mm HEDP x3 from the stores.

Thanks.

GM - Done. Add to your stores please.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:49, Sun 02 Oct 2011.

Yes, that actually makes a bit of sense of what was happening at the time now. Would have been nice of JJ to let his 2IC know the actual objective of the mission was to recover one man rather than stop a Soviet offensive cold.

Re the ship, looks like we'll be relocating eastwards fairly soon. Given that the fisherman on the island and not fishermen north and west of Gdansk know the location, it's a safe bet to assume the ship is somewhere within 10 kilometres from the mouth of the Vistula, and most likely in the 10 kilometres of Baltic coastline of the island.

Given that, I'd suggest we make haste to move onwards to the island, and use a percentage of those supplies to propel us eastward after the 8th. With the apparently friendly nature of the locals on the island, and their possession of a working ferry across the Vistula, not to mention the Pact forces we can presume are still to the west and south, it would appear to be the best option available for getting out of the city in one peice.

JJM didn't know this at the time. Note the conversation occurred after JJM complained.

Hmm, that ship is of vital importance to the 8th ID and EXACTLY the sort of thing Black's team were ordered to find and recover. It's wet dream material as far as the US 8th ID commander is concerned.
Essentially Sgt Ortega has a greater claim to it than the IB or virtually anyone else in Northern Poland! (Try enforcing that claim though)

Minor note - I made a small change in the cast thread. In msg#2 where it lists relevant NPCs (not members of the Mad Dogs), I've divided them up to make it a little easier to see who your allies and enemies are.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:27, Mon 03 Oct 2011.

Fuse - just to check are these two men only visible to Frank's entry team or are they visible to Ortega's support team as well?

Thanks.

In reply to Luis Ortega (msg #157):

Both are known/visible to all (Frank's warning), but only the smoker is clearly visible. There is a lot of tall grass/brush around, the fuel tanks are in the way, as is the corner of the house.

Smoker: standing a few feet from the south facing door.
Sentry: only his head is visible due to blocked LOS and his cover.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:35, Mon 03 Oct 2011.

In reply to Luis Ortega (msg #157):

I updated Frank's message slightly to try and give a little more information without going overboard, at least I think so.

Dude, this is not The Crying Game!

Really - I'm not that good, so as a group we must be crap - a good place to spend some XP everyone!

Happy to go as part of JJM's team on the forthcoming missions. Sorry for delay in catching up.

No problem. Welcome back. Caleb is already with JJM (and Varis). You are at the CP again. JJM is meeting with the IB leadership, but Caleb and Varis are free to roam.


Not yet.

I'm guessing here but could the man smoking outside mean that there is something flammable inside?  And could that be a still or a fuel store?  I was expecting Lada to have his own fuel production facility so maybe this is it.....

---

Fuse - is there any smoke coming from the building, or rather an outhouse?

In reply to Luis Ortega (msg #164):

No. No smoke spotted. No odors either. Ground floor windows are boarded up, but that isn't odd for inhabited homes. Entrance is on south side (facing the cultivated strip) - which is where the "sentry" is.

There was a decent amount of fuel storage at Lada's but not much actual fuel left (no distilling during the seige perhaps).
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:28, Tue 04 Oct 2011.

Could be a good plotline for Varis...!

Happy to wander - will wait for Rae to post.

Yeah, I didn't mean to leave you hanging with nothing to do, but wasn't sure what your intentions were once JJM got busy.

There is the QM and the motor pool to visit or snoop around. Outside there are a couple boats moored to the pier too.

So we might be on the rob then!

Hmm, boats...
Could come in handy if the ammo ship is stuck off shore a little ways....
Perhaps a scrounge for truckable boats is in order?

I'm thinking somebody would soon have a fatal "accident"?  :P
This message was last edited by the player at 23:07, Tue 04 Oct 2011.

In reply to Eikki Termonen (msg #169):

Sobieszewo will provide nautical support.

Better if we can be self sufficent to some degree though, just in case somebody tries (again!) to screw us.
There's no way we could possibly offload hundreds of tonnes of supplies from the ship, but a tonne or so of ammo, food, fuel, etc for our own use is something we should be able to do on our own.
Who knows though, perhaps the ship is beached and a boat isn't even necessary...

Hope to be aboard soon enough! Raiding a supply ship looks like fun!

Welcome to the game!

Hi Thomas, welcome to the game.

Welcome to the game.

I'm going to get the turn up asap. Where is JJM's group's next destination?

I think the bus station for a big fat Gypsy wedding. Cue the mazurka...

Good to have you aboard Thomas

Fuse - I think that there is a typo in the details for the Entry team - the runner is referred to twice but the sentry isn't mentioned.

Ta.

In reply to Luis Ortega (msg #179):

Fixed.

In reply to Fusilier (msg #180):

Ta.

I'm going to hold off posting until after Frank or Ortega.

Frank - I think that you're confusing conversations.  Varis isn't with us, Alexandar is and he's the one who's going to speak to the guys in the house.

Will post IC shortly. Logic suggests we start with the Bus Station. Suggest we stick together, in case of any problems...

I thought I changed it, i'm an idiot.

Sorry about the delay with the turn, will get it up soon.

Back home and should be able to post normally. Cheers.


Cymon.

In reply to Billy 'Crack' O'Brien  (msg #187):

Welcome back. Hope all is well.

KC (Will) is also back from his desert trip now too, so I think everyone is here now. Plus we'll be getting our newest PC (Cooper) involved shortly.

Alex seems to have dropped out of the game again though.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:42, Mon 10 Oct 2011.

Fuse - if we've unfortunately lost Alex we need to come up with some sensible IC reason for Eikki to become the commander of the sniper team rather than Alex, unless you want to NPC Alex a lot?

Leg (or anyone else) - do you have any suggestions?

For example, after we've had enough downtime for people to heal up, would it be too unbelievable for JJM and Ortega (having worked more with Eikki now) to just swap them around in terms of the sniper team commander role?  Or does that just seem odd?

Or, as we're short of members of the fireteams, should we just switch Alex to an M16 or an AK-74 (rather than his M21) and convert him to a member of one of the fireteams, leaving Eikki as a lone sniper?

What do people think?

Thanks.

In reply to Luis Ortega (msg #189):

I'd rather not NPC him as much as possible. If the group was smaller again then sure, but it's gotten to be quite a lot. I'll play it out anyway you guys want to make the switch or whatever.

Just wanted to let it be known that due to the current economic disaster this country, and myself, are currently in, I've taken up a second job at night and my posting only may be about once a day.  I will try to keep up the best I can and if you need to move the game on, NPC me and please do so..

John

Ok, I'm going to push things on and conclude the current events in the next post tomorrow. I'm assuming everything you wanted to be said and done is finished, and I don't want to cover too much more of this sort of non-action for the sake of some players.

If there is anything else you want to cover, please do it by tomorrow night. I'm going to push the game forward a bit, enough for Mitch to return (with Cooper), and prepare to end things until every one is healed.

In reply to Francis 'Frank' Benucci (msg #191):

Well that's some crappy news John. Sorry to hear that. Don't worry about the game and take care of yourself. We'll see you here when you can.

Varis was going to say something really witty, yet extremely poignant, but JJM and you beat me to it. Please proceed. ; )

Sounds good to me.

Eikki has comparable rank to Alex but more combat experience. Makes sense to use that experience even though he's not actually a Nato ally. He's not actually enemy either which makes it simpler than putting say Varis in a position of responsibility.

Er, actually, Varis is a U.S. citizen now and a PFC in the U.S. Army- all thanks to JJM, a Major.

Yes, that is correct, Varis is now as American as the hamburger and french fries.

Leg, I'm not disputing it but how do you know that Eikki has more combat experience than Alex?

I'm also not sure that it makes sense to just reverse the leadership of the sniper team.  Personally I'm in favour of converting Alex to a rifleman by switching his M21 for an assault rifle and leaving Eikki as a lone sniper.

By cross referencing his character description, skills, bio, and posts against what I know of Eikki.

Turn is up.

Note, we'll be jumping forward by 2-3 weeks in the next turn (to recover from wounds and exhaustion) so we'll be ready to start the next events with everyone back at 100%.

Therefore, in addition to any dialogue you have with each other, I'll be looking for a general idea how your PC will be spending the downtime. Keep in mind though, that the idea behind this is to rest and recover. So excursions outside of the compound need to be limited as much as possible (nothing that would need to be gamed out like patrols or anything).

The next objective for the group will be to establish contact with Sobieszewo Island to facilitate the recovery of the lost supply ship. As a heads up, this will be a mini-adventure type deal with consequences that will affect the future of the city and involved combat. Take a look at the available XP for any leveling up.

Varis will be wrapping up his cold fusion experiments and put the finishing touches on the symphony (in A minor) he's been working on in his down time. If he has any time to spare, he'll finish a chapter or two of his memoir, write a couple of Haiku, and maybe get a perm.

Eikki is keen for a 3-4 day patrol outside the city in company with 2-3 other stealthy types. Purely a recce to work out where the enemy units are located and gaps in their cordon.
I'm thinking Eikki, Fox, Micheals and perhaps one more. All have to be unwounded at the beginning though which rules out Meyer and Frank (who have good stealth). i think Fox is almost healed so a couple of days would see him right to go.

Actually, there's nothing to say that 2-3 patrols of 3-4 days duration couldn't be done during the 2 week downtime. Probably better to keep eyes in the field as much as possible.

Mike will supervise healing, and see if he can't acquire/boil some bandages to replenish all those he's used.  Other than that, I'd say trauma lessons for everyone involved, and making sure everyone's medical kit is in order.

Although I feel like during that period (especially with the city not in active hostilities) someone from the IB will contact him.  I'd be willing to play that out, IC or in private messages.

Not bothering with the cure for cancer then...

Will is happy to work with vehicles (maintenance).  Or assist whomever the normal vehicle commander is (Will is the gunner so i'd see him working with those he normally operates with).

Cooper - can you please update your entry in The Cast so we have an idea of your physical appearance, as well as your background. Thanks.

Just as soon as I've time, I'll get the post out of the way with then that, sorry for the delay, it'll be after work!

Leg - not that it really matters but I have to be honest and say that I disagree.  Alex has a vague bio with no real comments about his combat experience and the skills of the two characters look to be broadly similar.  Regardless however it doesn't matter so let’s just agree to disagree.  The key thing is to amend the sniper team so that Eikki isn't reporting to an NPC and I think that the easiest way to do this is for Alex to join one of the fireteams.

Fuse - on that front am I correct in thinking that when we restart Janusz will also be back from the hospital and everyone will be fully healed?  Will Anna be up and about again?  Additionally is Low Blow continuing with us or is he reverting to working for Kaminski?


Leg, the problem is that what you're proposing here are some further mini missions outside of the compound that will need to be gamed through in some detail (I think) and that is specifically what Fuse has said that he doesn't want to have to go through.  While there is an argument for the patrols it means in game terms that a number of PCs will be inactive while those that are on the patrol play through the mini mission and that obviously doesn't work for the game as a whole.

Therefore unless Fuse is willing to rule that these patrols have happened and just narrate the results then I don't think that we can do them.  The key thing is to shift time along a couple of weeks so that those PCs who are injured can heal up and be fully involved.  That way when we next do a mission every player can be involved.

In reply to Luis Ortega (msg #209):

Yes, everyone will be healed and ready to go. Only Oskar will be off the active roster because he is away.

The recce missions can be done in the background as the intent is to avoid contact with, well, everyone.

As for Alex, it seems fairly clear he's got at least one less term than Eikki. Fuse, am I right in believing he's only 25?
Besides, IC Alex hasn't exactly shown a lot of leadership, and as it's JJ's decision based on performance.....

Shit, I knew I was forgetting something.

Fuse,

What of these potential downtime tasks are you ok with us completing over the next couple of weeks:
 - see if the broken searchlight can be repaired - cabling needs to be checked
 - construct/scrounge/trade for a mount for the KPV
 - ensure that Varis and Meyer's infected wounds heal up
 - diagnose Low Blow's illness and cure if possible
 - erect the second wind turbine
 - fix the broken RPG-16 launcher
 - fix the broken NVGs that Mitch has
 - fix the vehicles that have been largely cannibalized (two civilian autos, a delivery truck and a BTR-60) - will require a significant amount of work and parts
 - see if the equipment in the grain elevator and/or processing plant can be used to construct a still

I don't think that any of them require us to leave the compound, as any trading can be conducted via Kaminski.

Additionally does anyone have any other tasks to add to the list, particularly in terms of any broken gear that you'd like to get fixed.

JJM is the normal vehicle commander but we're short of a decent vehicle for him to command at present! <G>


A quick question for you.  What does Thomas Cooper want to be called?  Tom?  Coop?  Thomas?

It's best to establish a nickname early if you want one! <G>

In reply to Luis Ortega (msg #213):

All on that list are possible to be attempted.

Varis would like to acquire some drinking alcohol. He would also like to get laid. He would like to acquire more 40mm S grenades. He is willing to help with most other camp/down-time duties as long as they are not labor intensive or too dangerous. He will also consult with Kaminski to see if he can fence the amber-encrusted cross he found in Lada's private stash.

I'd like to get the Bradley back at some stage. Perhaps just locate it and the IB's LAV-25 and ascertain if it's possible to do a snatch and grab on our way out of the city.
The Marder would be nice too, but I think we're a bit short on drivers and two tracked vehicles could be a bit hard on fuel usage.

Maybe it's not possible to grab them, but it's still worth investigating.

Same with the Humvee and whatever's left of it's cargo. If we're leaving the city and not intending to return, there's not much point in making friends here.

Mike's best friends crew that LAV.  If he caught wind of a plot he'd let the IB know in a second.  Not a good idea.

Which is a good reason to keep him out of the loop and only involve those not associated with or obligated to the IB.
On the other hand, Mike may be able to approach them and convince them to come along for the ride and rejoin the 8th. A proper US Division has got to be a more attractive prospect than the time bomb that is Gdansk, and as everyone has already seen, there's plenty of people in the city who want what others have and are willing to do ANYTHING to get it.

Nothing wrong with putting out some feelers anyway...

Fuse - please can you clarify when this meeting is taking place.  Is it before or after the couple of weeks of downtime?  I ask because if it's before then Fox is still seriously wounded and can't go on these patrols that Leg is talking about (Ortega can go instead if you're happy for them to have happened) and if it's after the downtime then no one is going off on patrols as we need to prepare for the mission.

Thanks.

Fuse,

I've added two other items to the list so please can you confirm whether it's possible to attempt them as well:
 - see if the broken searchlight can be repaired - cabling needs to be checked
 - construct/scrounge/trade for a mount for the KPV
 - ensure that Varis and Meyer's infected wounds heal up
 - diagnose Low Blow's illness and cure if possible
 - erect the second wind turbine
 - fix the broken RPG-16 launcher
 - fix the broken NVGs that Mitch has
 - fix the vehicles that have been largely cannibalized (two civilian autos, a delivery truck and a BTR-60) - will require a significant amount of work and parts
 - see if the equipment in the grain elevator and/or processing plant can be used to construct a still
 - fix the non-operational ZPU-4 - it is heavily rusted, but looks like it was being refurbished for reuse
 - trade for some 14.5mm ammo for the ZPU-4 if we can fix it

Additionally the priority vehicle to fix is the BTR-60 and we can mount our KPV in it if the mountings are there.  It sounds like a job for Will, Felix and any mechanics that Kaminski can recruit, quite possibly some who used to work for Lada.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:59, Fri 14 Oct 2011.

The discussion and plan can occur now, but it would be several days/mid period before they leave.



I'll roll for most of the things you want to have accomplished for success/failure, but this one will be the most difficult based on the skill, parts, and time required. It's still possible though.

One of the things I'd like to see done is to do some cross training. Lectures can give people 1 point in a new skill even if the instructor has no teaching experience (experience via observation). Those with instruction skills should teach that to those with useful skills.

Eventually we'll be able to build up a cadre that can trade expertise as well as kit and death.

As an aside, JJ is strongly against stealing from the IB. If anyone does bring it up IB he will veto it. If he finds out about any clandestine activities he will be very pissed off.

In reply to John Jameson McCarthy (msg #223):

This would be a good time to drop some XP into instruction for best effect.

Good point:)

Fuse, just in case it isn't clear the BTR-60 will be the priority amongst those vehicles and, if possible, we'd like to recruit some additional mechanics via Kaminski (quite possibly former employees of Lada's who weren't present and survived.

---

Would hiring Valeska's boat to go and retrieve the truck on the other side of the river count as a mini mission that would need to be played out or would this need to be narrated?

Thanks.

Noted.



No, that's okay. I need to look at the map and come up with a reasonable price, but we can just cover it off camera with a summary.

Fuse - please let us know the price and we'll work out if it's worth paying.

Thanks.

Mitch actually has Instruction of 2 (but only a charisma of 3...) but he does have a limited amount of Small Watercraft and Gunsmith that he could train others in.

Mitch would like to learn some Combat Engineer from either Meyer or Cooper.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:06, Sun 16 Oct 2011.

Ortega would like to learn some Forward Observer skill from either Michaels or Young.

Mike has already indicated he's going to conduct first aid lessons.

Regarding a recce patrol, organising one is only likely to take half an hour or so - look at a map to decide where to go, grab the necessary supplies and people, and head off. I posted Eikki's conversation with JJ with the intention it was going to happen very early on in the couple of weeks off, which is why it was mentioned that several patrols of several days length was reccomended.

As for the truck, I think it's best to leave it where it is for now as a) we don't need it right away and b) there's a strong chance we're going in that direction in the near future anyway. Why bring it into the city just to take it out again and spend all that cash/resources doing it? Hell, for that matter we don't even know if it's still there and in one peice!

Find me an electric guitar and Caleb can teach everyone the basics of Stairway or Smoke on the Water...

... as well as Crowdsurfing 101.

Mike also wants to find headphones for his CD Player.

I've been a little slow on the turn this weekend, but will have it up asap. Sorry about the wait.

One other task to add to the list is to build and operate a still. This I would think is a priority.

It's on the list already.  See message #221 - 3rd from bottom on the list.

Ah, missed it.
Still, it's worth mentioning again since it's so damn important. :D

Gathering organic matter for a still is actually the main problem I think.....

A minor issue. We need a still, now and always. I suggest constructing it on the back of the truck - people can walk, stills can't.

In reply to Eikki Termonen (msg #239):

Collecting the other truck sooner rather than later sounds like a good idea then, depending on the price....

I meant the truck we've got now. I still say leave the other one where it is.

With the amount of crap we're lugging around with us we need a second truck if we're going to build a still in the back of one of them.

Not if the BTR can be repaired and we still have the UAZ.
Actually, on the subject of supplies, the bulk of what we had was on the Humvee. Only a relatively small amount was on the UAZ at the time.
Sure, we've picked up some more at Ladas, but nothing like the amount of useful gear that was previously lost.
The truck we have has a load capacity of 3,500 kgs. A medium still weighs 2000. That leaves a tonne and a half on that vehicle alone for stores and wounded. Looking through the stores thread there's a lot of items, but the vast majority are small and light. Only a few items are more than a dozen kilograms or in any way bulky.
And then there's the other three vehicles all in various stages of repair, one of which is a 5 tonne flatbed truck with crane.

Half done the turn, but I wanted to mention something before I forgot.

All PCs will gain 1 point in a skill designated in the narrative. I'm not going through all of the sheets, so make sure you check your PCs skill improvement and make the adjustment yourself. The improvements apply to all PCs, so if you were left out, let me know.

Thanks.

PS... You will never have a medic as good as Mike. Don't lose him.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:45, Tue 18 Oct 2011.

Turn is up. There was a lot to cover for 3 weeks, so although it's a long post, I probably forgot some things. Ask away if you want me to cover something I missed.

It is in the early hours of August 28th, which is your departure date. The Mad Dogs are expected to leave the city some time today to begin the operation to recover the munitions aboard the sunken supply ship.

@MIKE - I still need to send you a PM listing off the medical supplies that were used to treat the wounded, infected, sick, and an mild accident that occurred during repairs.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:49, Wed 19 Oct 2011.

Is that an actual skill point, or just experience to apply to that skill when enough points have been accrued? I'm guessing the former but don't want to just assume.

Actual point (not xp).

Woo hoo! :P
Thanks.

Fuse,

A couple of outstanding questions that might have been answered over the three weeks of downtime:

 - diagnose Low Blow's illness and cure if possible
 - get a price for the boat to take us to where the second truck is hidden and retrieve it (we might not do this but, assuming that the price is acceptable, are you willing to rule this as done during the three weeks of downtime?)

Additionally one item on the list was:
 - fix the vehicles that have been largely cannibalized (two civilian autos, a delivery truck and a BTR-60) - will require a significant amount of work and parts

Am I correct in thinking that the priority was the BTR-60 so work hasn't yet started on the two civilian autos or the delivery truck?

Thanks.

Now we have a working ZPU-4 4x14.5mm AA Towed Anti-Aircraft Gun System what do we actually do with it?  Tow it around with us?  Mount it on a truck as a sort of giant technical?  Trade it with someone?

Thoughts please.

I'd suggest trading it and assigning the ammo to the BTR. There's definitely not enough to feed two barrels very long and certainly not five, and the ZPU isn't going to be of much use in the offence compared to the single KPV.

1) It was inconclusive. Mike thinks he might just be suffering from any combination of poor diet, substance abuse, and the effects of radiation or illness.

2) I forgot to do this. I will need to figure it out at home later tonight.

3) Yes, the BTR-60 was main priority, so the other vehicles didn't get worked on. There were several delays (acquiring mechanics, parts, a food poisoning outbreak, etc), so even being the main focus, it still isn't ready.

With those delays, I'm guessing the mechanics (or whoever) was able to at least make a start on the other vehicles? Probably little more than a quick wash and polish though... :(

In reply to Eikki Termonen (msg #253):

Very little.

Motor assets that the group has currently available are these five:
Army UAZ-469
Army Zil-131
Civilian 1 ton pickup/tow truck
Civilian 5 ton flatbed w/mounted crane
Civilian ZSD Nysa van

Note, it is 20-25km to Sobieszewo, which will take around 30 minutes or more.

I just realized though that the road (midway in the most direct route) is through the village of Przejazdowo, which as mention in the narrative is an outpost for a small Pact garrison. This will need to be bypassed (which a choosen route) or dealt with somehow.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:16, Wed 19 Oct 2011.

Fuse - another question for you about the downtime.

You've said that everyone is healed up and now active so I'm going to remove Mitch's wounds but please can I check on a couple of NPCs:
 - is Janusz back from the hospital and full healed?
 - is Anna healed as well and is she able to join us on the mission?

Thanks.

In reply to Luis Ortega (msg #256):

Yes. 100% for everyone, including all attached Poles. Everyone should remove ALL wounds from their PC sheets.

Excellent - time to get wounded again then I suppose...!

Fuse - what happened to the guard dogs in the compound? Did one of Kaminski's men take responsibility for them?

Fuse - what is the current map link?

Thanks.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms...00473233092ef9c905a6

In addition to the book keeping I need to finish tonight, I'll update the map with some relevant info.

Thanks.  What information do we have at present about the Pact garrison at Przejazdowo?  Or is that something that we need to talk to Ibanez about IC?

In reply to Luis Ortega (msg #261):

On their way in to Gdansk, the village was observed briefly by the group, but that was over a month ago, so any info they remember will probably be outdated.

Ibanez will say that it has no less than a reinforced platoon right now, maybe more (other platoons come and go - probabaly using the village as a forward support base for platoon size patrols). No armor has been spotted there, usually.

Thanks.

Where is the truck that Black's patrol hid located and did Black's patrol go anywhere near that village on the way into the city?
This message was last edited by the player at 16:09, Wed 19 Oct 2011.

In reply to Luis Ortega (msg #263):

North of the No.7 Highway bridge over the Visula (which is down), in a partially collapsed barn near Zulawki.

The closest they were to it was probably in Wislinka (where they tracked the party to and found the remains of the recent battle there). They would still be over 5km away though.

Thanks - just thought I'd check.

When you update the map please can you add the truck location so that I don't keep bugging you with the same question! <G>

Ta.

OK, we need to arrange how we run the convoy bearing in mind that the crossroads to the island is held by the enemy. Any suggestions on how we progress?

I'm thinking trade that fucker.  Let someone else worry about ammo for it.

In reply to John Jameson McCarthy (msg #266):

Ibanez will answer your IC question and have some more insight that may help with the planning.

To be honest, I never planned for this. I always had a garrison in that village, but I never thought about it when I introduced this mini-adventure/mission. Only after when I actually looked at the map did I connect the two. So really, you are just as surprised as I am that you need to overcome this problem before you can even get to the island.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:27, Wed 19 Oct 2011.

There might be another way through, but I think that the industrial complex to teh north of the road was nuked.

In reply to Luis Ortega (msg #265):

Hey, I answered your PM.  Was Fuse copied on it?

In reply to Francis 'Frank' Benucci (msg #270):

I got it.

In reply to Fusilier (msg #271):

OK, good.  Just LMK how you want me to procede with that Fuse.

In reply to Francis 'Frank' Benucci (msg #272):

Oh right. Sorry about that.

Umm, either option is fine (IC or not). Ferro is out until (I think) Friday or the weekend or something anyways.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:15, Wed 19 Oct 2011.

Heads up on a new map made exclusively for the current situation to eliminate clutter with unrelated locations.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms...pn=0.194545,0.617294

In reply to Fusilier (msg #257):

So have we recovered Lt Boswell? If not, have we at least tracked down where he is?


It's exactly this type of info Eikki had proposed to keep tabs on for just this sort of event. Of course his proposal to keep an eye on the surrounding area was rejected for as yet unknown reason, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who would like to know why.

The latest change in plans leave NO REASON for Eikki to stay with the group.
I'd also like to state again that the 8th are known to be close to securing shale oil fields and therefore fuel to enable them to move by ship back to Germany and completely bypass Gdansk.
There is very little intelligence that I know about that leads anyone to believe the 8th will move overland back through Gdansk and then have the strength to fight their way through the front lines, all while cut off from receiving support from Nato.

In other words, as a player I have grave reservations about the way things are now heading and would like to open discussions as a group of players who all have an equal voice.

My position is known and if the majority wants to stay then so be it, but if so, I'm going to need a damn good reason for Eikki to not just walk off on his own to try and get home to Finland.

Im sorry Legbreaker but i cant see how it is a big suprise when you picked a character that has no allegiance to either side. That certainly limits the options that you can find reason with (i guess down to just one really: the 8th)

Unless you are a deserter or someone with no loyalty this here (below) ought to be enough to convince most or all in the unit to stay in Gdansk. At least for a while longer.


This message was last edited by the player at 02:05, Thu 20 Oct 2011.

I'm ready to respond but will wait to know if it is IC or not.

Considering his rank and nationality, how would Eikki be privy to this information?

Also, this is Fuse's T2KU. Does he see the 8th's strategic objective the same as you do?

Jinny makes a good point too- nobody made you play a Finn who dislikes NATO...
This message was last edited by the player at 02:25, Thu 20 Oct 2011.

You didn't let me down.

Eikki is a Finn. His allegiance is, and always was to Finland.
He's only in Gdansk because some bright spark thought he would be a good local guide (obviously an officer in the Intelligence section of 8th ID).

EVERYONE that was in Black's unit knows all about the oil shale. It's common knowledge.
Also, Eikki recently passed right through that area before he was picked up by the 8th and impressed into service. He has spent approximately 6-8 weeks with elements and/or the main body of the 8th as evidenced by some of the US equipment he is carrying.

Eikki is a neutral in the war and has also fought against both sides to protect his homeland. Much of his war has been spent behind Soviet lines however and he's been away from home almost the entire time. Currently his allegiance is to the 8th ID but only as they have the ability to get him closer to home, just like they can get the rest of the PCs closer to home by use of the fuel obtainable from the oil shale.

Oil shale is an EXTREMELY valuable resource able to give mobility and fexibilty back to a mechanised unit. Tanks can be used regularly, mechanised and motorised patrols sent out, even the helicopters the 8th ID is hauling about on trucks can be flown on missions once more.
Also, it's about the only known source of petroleum available in northern Europe. I've postulated in various forums that is the major reason is why the 8th are so deep into enemy territory. We also know as players (probably not as PCs) that shipping is available in the region to transport 50,000 Americans out of Europe. It makes sense that some of that shipping was already assembled to carry the 2nd Marines to the Vistula delta, and hung around to carry oil back from Estonia, or Latvia, or whichever country it is.

Even if the PCs don't know about those ships, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to put 2 and 2 together when they hear about the oil shale, especially when they already know the Marines conducted an amphibious assault only a short time before.

It's worth noting also, the information about the oil shale was provided by Fuse. this information was cut and pasted into this thread link to a message in this game by Ortega for all to read.