I usually wait until the thread gets a bit closer, but no reason not to start the new one now.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 1):

Do you serve sugared turkels

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 1):

thanks, will be off line for a week though until my sister gets paid.

No, I don't. Don't know that I've ever had one; certainly never heard of them before.

Luise will have to check to see if there are even any on the planet. If there aren't any on the ship, does that mean Adriannah doesn't want to join the crew?

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 4):

Nah. I may have a possible supplier.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:24, Thu 20 Feb 2020.

Day quit already? 5 posts and our Zhodani left.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:34, Sun 23 Feb 2020.

Good luck finding a place you and your sister can afford together, that's how we make it, my wife's check, and my check take care of most things, Roommate pays extras.

Changing the name Rob? We're only going to be in Lanth for a short time now! ;-)

The rest of you guys can start posting once or twice a week too. Oen will be intermittent for a bit, hopefully not long.

before posting is Forge's Portrait what he looks like?

In a beard.

In reply to Harry McStubbin (msg # 10):

That's how it appears to me.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:57, Sat 29 Feb 2020.

Sorry, no beard. I took that portrait since it looks like combat armor.

Lolololololol No problem, just yanking your chain.

Game map is the ship if you care to look and claim a cabin. Cabin 2 is the captains quarters, 5a is the senior pilot. I'm 5b.

Post away folks, StarMaster will be back. Gahler, Oen? How is your situation Oen? Your sister? Getting better?

Yay, finally my portrait was uploaded. :-)

It looks good, now, if we can get some posting done!

Curious
This message was last edited by the player at 17:50, Tue 10 Mar 2020.

Curious about what?

Oops, sorry; that wasn't meant to be a reply to your post.

We lose Gahler and Oen? Looks like it.

I'm here.  Just waiting for the party to make its way to the bridge.

Computer problems once again. Screen keeps glitching with flashing horizontal lines. Like just now. Not sure what I'm typing. If it goes completely, probably be till Friday before I can post.

In reply to Harry McStubbin (msg # 21):

due to limited computer access and living conditions I don't know if it would be better if I just drop out of the game completly or have the gm run me as ans NPC.

In reply to Harry McStubbin (msg # 15):

sister in and out of the hospital as she has limited movement.  trying to get her into an assisted living place.  every other week we are living in the street.

Hang in there Oen, hope you find a place soon.

I'm sorry guys, but this game just isn't for me. I wish you all a lot of fun, but I have to bow out.

Too slow?

Hohum
This message was last edited by the player at 04:21, Wed 01 Apr 2020.

Sorry you aren't being entertained, Siyeon.

I'll keep your character around for awhile in case you change your mind.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 30):

Curiouser  & curiouser

computer_screem_fimally_died.

vack-up_computer_has_dead_keys_imcludimg_space_var_&_letter_vetweem_a&c_&_m&o.

get_it_fixed_is_questiom_mark.

Ouch! Newegg.com is where I order things like keyboards. Staples is open too. I always buy cheap, they type, all I need.

Nearly back in business. After consulting with the local computer repair store, the options were get a replacement screen for the newer laptop computer for $150-200, buy an external monitor + adapter for $75, replace the keyboard on the older laptop for $100, or buy an external keyboard for $25. The first option is almost the cost of a new computer. The only option I can afford at this time is the last one. So, now I've got a new keyboard. It's still a pain, as I need to use the touchpad on the laptop, and it'll take getting used to where the keys are on this one.

I'll probably order a new computer online via a credit program, in which case I'll be paying for it for the rest of my life. At least they're deferring payments until August.

When I typed up the previous post, I had no idea I was going to be able to solve the problem this quickly. I'll still need to pull the digital hard drive out of the old computer and add it to my stack of external hard drives. Must be a box or something I can put them all in.

Awesome news Rob! Glad to hear it!

On the damage, any modifier for having the Zero-G skill?

No, because it's from being tossed around before you can recover. If you take no damage, then it means you weren't a position to get tossed around.

Luise and Arc are the medics!

Are we still playing? Starmaster?

Sorry. I was waiting for more people to post...

Harry; I hope you don't think Adriannah is ignoring you.

She's lying unconscious in a crumpled heap un the floor of her cabin.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:05, Tue 26 May 2020.

Humm.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:42, Sun 31 May 2020.

Keep in mind that Arc can be wrong.

My brother was in a severe car accident back in '67. Had bad injuries, including some brain trauma. The doctors said he wouldn't live. When he refused to die, they then said that if he lived, he wouldn't be anything more than a vegetable.

While he was never the same afterwards, he managed to make it through a year of therapy to walk and talk again, got married again, and got a job with the Post Office and retired from there 20 some years later. And he's still alive.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 43):

LOLolol doctors aren't God they know nothing!
This message was last edited by the player at 12:00, Mon 01 June 2020.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 43):

A testament to his mental resolve.

ROLAND, not Ronald, was talking to Forge! ;-P razzberry!

In reply to Roland Steel (msg # 46):

So sad, so much potential, dying on the vine from lack of posting. :-(

The ship continues to head inward towards the planet. While there aren't any space fireworks welcoming the crew, the ship does get priority clearance, though, considering the space traffic (or lack of), that's not such a big deal.

An inbound vector is transmitted to the ship, Gahler sets course and within an hour, the ship lands at the downport.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 48):

ooc?

In reply to Adriannah Orilliah (msg # 49):

I'm guilty of not posting too much too.

At least the manual did not say To serve man!

In reply to 'Forge' Harris (msg # 51):

Thats a plus.

Its a Pitty Roland wasn't a bit more forthcoming with his replies. Adriannah isn't going to waste any more time in engineering. Any suggestions on other areas aboard ship she can learn about.

In reply to Adriannah Orilliah (msg # 52):

Sorry, I'm not an engineer in real life, hard to explain what you don't know.

In reply to Roland Steel (msg # 53):

Soo True, which is how posts like the one just made come into their own.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:51, Wed 17 June 2020.

The trick with 'engineering'/technobabble isn't about knowing anything at all... it's just about saying you do.

EXAMPLE: "First, you start out by making a visual inspection of the engineers. Inside, easy... usually. Outside, use cameras or drones when you can, otherwise take a walk.

Fix anything you see that don't look right. If you don't know how, check the manual."

Etc.

True.

Adriannah's reaction, thoughts etc were based on Roland's IC posts; which previously didn't indicate anything but polish the machinery.

:^)

Hopefully I haven't kicked a hornets nest.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:09, Thu 18 June 2020.

In reply to Adriannah Orilliah (msg # 56):

Not too hard. Forgiven for my shortcomings?

What Cargo shall we focus on?

In reply to Adriannah Orilliah (msg # 58):

Cybernetics: 6 tons @ 250,000Cr base for 75% -- 1,125,000Cr.
Medical Supplies: 6 tons @ 5,000Cr base for 65% -- 19,500Cr.

Advanced Electronics: 3 tons @ 100,000Cr base for 45% -- 135,000Cr.
Advanced Machine Parts: 1 ton @ 75,000Cr base for 70% -- 52,500Cr.
Advanced Manufactured Goods: 6 tons @ 100,000Cr base for 75% --450,000Cr.

Common Raw Materials: 5 tons @ 5,000Cr base for 55% -- 13,750Cr.
Common Consumables: 5 tons @ 500Cr base for 45% -- 1,125Cr.

Common Electronics: 12 tons @ 20,000Cr base for 90% -- 216,000Cr.
Common Industrial: Goods 11 tons @ 10,000Cr base for 70% -- 70,000Cr.
Common Manufactured Goods: 6 tons @ 20,000Cr base for 65% -- 78,000Cr.

What planet are we on, where are we going determines mail.
How much do we have room and money for?

You are on Tremous Dex. Destinations are Quare, Tharber and Faisal.

The ship's fund currently has 13,487,130Cr. There is 125 tons of cargo space.

Expenses will be due in another week: 573,521.

Plus, you need to buy collapsible fuel tanks.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 60):

We'll buy the collapsible fuel tanks first, so we have them.

Then buy all the cargo we can hold

We'll buy the collapsible fuel tanks first, so we have them.

Then buy all the cargo we can hold

In reply to Harry McStubbin (msg # 62):

Post Forge and Grahler! We need to talk IC to keep it alive! ;-)
This message was last edited by the player at 13:31, Thu 16 July 2020.

Now we're ready to talk to ole Gahler?  ;)

In reply to Gahler Grohlson (msg # 64):
PM

I'm glad we're posting a little bit more often. Let's please make StarMaster work a little! ;-)

In reply to Harry McStubbin (msg # 66):

I guess it couldn't last. :-( Everybody will post once or twice, except the important one, and it all dies all over. Been a week since SM was even here.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:28, Wed 29 July 2020.

True.

How much to put a particle accelerator barbette on one of the free hard points?

In reply to Harry McStubbin (msg # 69):

Updated my last post. Hopefully we can get a little more of a pace, once a day would be nice, several times a week would be good.

In reply to Harry McStubbin (msg # 70):

What do we need for training? We're in jump space for two weeks, less the 20 hours we need to refuel.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 13:07, Tue 18 Aug 2020.

In reply to Harry McStubbin (msg # 71):

What do we need for training? We're in jump space for two weeks, less the 20 hours we need to refuel.

Considering that you are going into an 'unexplored' sector and don't know what you might need, skill-wise, it'd probably be good to have a broad spectrum of skills covered.

Those two weeks will get you Rank 1 in any skill you have at 0, or Rank 2 in any skill you have at Rank 1.

On the other hand, there are several more legs to the journey, so advancing a skill past Rank 2 is possible.


On the other hand, you could decide what kind of 'trouble' you want to get into and then choose skills that would support that.

And it's always a good idea to have someone who can fill a position for three shifts.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 73):

Thanks!

Anybody else still here? Need to show up and post to give StarMaster a reason to come here! ;-)

In reply to Harry McStubbin (msg # 74):

Harry raised his Robotics up to 1, Roland raised his J drive (Engnrng) up to 2.

Ok, maybe I should rethink Steward... lol.  Kind of did that as an RP lark.

Seriously though, I would need to raise a skill that would work with being a pilot.

Learning all of the bridge skills to level 0 or 1 would be great, you could do ANYTHING there!

I'm going to be building a steward. Robots! In a fair amount of time, I need a few more skills yet and some money.

I keep forgetting you are Gahler number 2! ;-) Thanks for taking him over!
This message was last edited by the player at 17:56, Tue 18 Aug 2020.

I'm going to go for vacc suit from 0 to 1.  Seems good for exploration.  Shouldn't interfere too much with him making a few fresh meals every now and then, just to keep his Steward skill up (though not advance it).

At Engineer-0 so that will work for training. Learn the turrets after that.

In reply to 'Forge' Harris (msg # 79):

We got our cargo, jumped to the amber zone, refueled at the gas giant, then jumped to the next world. Quare I believe, though I'll have to look.

Can we jump to that point? Then we need to post more me lovelies!

STEP 5: Edinina to Quare Jump-3; should be safe
STEP 6: Quare to Thanbar Jump-3; should be safe
STEP 7: Thanbar to Faisal Jump-2; might be a problem; no gas giant
STEP 8: Faisal to Bael         Jump-3; gas giant refuel
STEP 9: Bael to… 3217 or 3119 Jump-2 or 3 depending on intel we pick up

Werten 3217 P A343942-A Hi, In, Na, Po A G
Sieven 3119 R C451454-8 Ni, Po
This message was last edited by the player at 15:32, Wed 19 Aug 2020.

My God Adriannah is an augmented behemoth! With super intellect! The female Tony Stark!

In reply to Harry McStubbin (msg # 81):

Any cargo Rob? Or not? Like I said, if we can't find a profitable cargo, we'll take Toilet Paper and Water.

In reply to Harry McStubbin (msg # 82):

I feel alone here so much.

In reply to Harry McStubbin (msg # 83):

That may be because of your blurb summary...

;^)

In reply to Harry McStubbin (msg #
Character biography


;^)
This message was last edited by the player at 20:51, Wed 16 Sept 2020.

FYI, those here from Star Seekers, I am playing Forge as being a redshirt (in the background) compared to Sir Walter.

In reply to 'Forge' Harris (msg # 86):

Don't play him too far in the background, there won't be a foreground!

In reply to Harry McStubbin (msg # 87):

25 tons of toilet paper and a hold full of potable water is loaded at the behest of Harry, to donate

You're Sir Walter there?

Yep.

In reply to 'Forge' Harris (msg # 90):

He's in the background there, I'm Sylvester there.

Is it just me, or did Harry jump the gun by posting he's ordered water and toilet paper before you even arrived at Quare?

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 92):

I jumped the gun

In reply to Harry McStubbin (msg # 93):

Arc and Gahler have both been AWOL for a month! ;-(

Not good.

In reply to Harry McStubbin (msg # 94):

I guess we need an air raft or grav vehicle?

Holy shit, a Grav Belt is 100,000Cr!

In reply to Roland Steel (msg # 96):

From Game Proposals, Input, and Advice

link to a message in another game

Busy this week and will try to post but do not hold me to it.

Been sick for the past week. Nothing serious, just a seasonal cold where my whole body aches, I take the usual meds, and then all I feel like doing is laying around in bed all day. It's still hanging on which is why I'm posting this.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 99):

May your health improve soon
This message was last edited by the player at 19:26, Tue 05 Jan 2021.

In reply to Adriannah Orilliah (msg # 100):

Get well soon Rob, you old fart! ;-)

Back in the saddle again. Now, I just have to get caught up on all my games!

Ooh Rah!!!

In reply to Harry McStubbin (msg # 103):

link to another game A new game I'm starting for anyone interested

Ho hum

Crikey! Where the hell did January go?

Taking longer to recover than I expected.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 106):

link to another game

New game 2nd edition if interested.

In reply to Harry McStubbin (msg # 107):

Are we at Thanber or Faisal
This message was last edited by the player at 14:01, Fri 18 June 2021.

Hummmmmmmmmmmmmmm
This message was last edited by the player at 14:06, Tue 29 June 2021.

In reply to Harry McStubbin (msg # 108):

Harry I've revised post 117

You are at Quare. Next stop is Thanber.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 111):

Thanks Rob!

Humm a Hanger bay that is only large enough to accommodate a ships boat.

Would there be an clawed hover drone available?

Tick tick

Had an out of town guest visiting this week... an old gaming buddy from up North that we haven't seen in nearly 20 years.

MOM?

Haha. No, Mom never gamed with us. She just made the food.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 118):

That's a Pitty, did Daad?

Hey gang, I am taking over as Steve Cable.

Please PM me about your character's relationship to Steve and if they share anything in their background stories.

Also if someone could breakdown what is happening right now and where we are at and what we are doing would be a great help in orientating myself to the character

I am sure the new player of Arlo Thresh would appreciate the same.  Thanks.

Summary:

After fleeing from the Fifth Frontier War (still going on), the crew decided to head for the Foreven Sector.

Currently in the Querion subsector, in the Quare system.

Arlo is assigned to the ISS Dreadful as an assistant engineer. When the ship was on recent maneuvers out in the system, Arlo spotted what looked like some sort of hidden facility on the 3rd moon of the inner gas giant. Circumstances prompted him to seek outside people to help him investigate it.

It seemed like an adventurous opportunity, so the Bandersnatch headed out there with Arlo taking some leave. If it turns to be profitable, he believes he can resign from the Imperial Navy without any problem.

The ship landed on the small moon when they found a hidden hatch. It was a long corridor to the facility which was built into the side of ravine.

Arc, Arlo, Forge, Harry, Roland and Steve explored the upper level of the facility so far, but when their air supply started getting low, they returned to the ship to resupply.

They've just returned to the facility and have split up to explore the lower levels.

On previous Steve's character info sheet, under gear, some items have A/R beside them.

What does that mean?

what skill is needed to be more knowledgeable about Ancient Artifacts?

Profession: Archaeologist?

In reply to Steve Cable (msg # 123):

Greetings New Steve and Arlo, perhaps we can move forward a bit with a couple of people to post! ;-) I'm Harry and Roland.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:03, Mon 15 Nov 2021.

In reply to Arlo Thresh (msg # 124):

Yup. Archaeologist.

I am on page 9 of 17 in reading the game thread.  Once done I will post to the game.  Trying to get a feel for Steve as seen so far for continuity... so far all I really know is he likes to drink... a lot.

In reply to Steve Cable (msg # 127):

We're all lushes with Jungle Juice!

I'm.  30 hours into a 48 hour double shift.  I'll be getting up to speed and posting for Arlo tomorrow.

I just swapped out Navigation 1 for Profession (Archaeologist) 1 gained from University.  I assume we have Navigation covered a few times over... If not let me know and I can swap it with Electronics (Comms 1 / Comp 1).

Arlo: I am 6 hours into a 60hr shift... luckily things are good here and I have some down time.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:16, Mon 15 Nov 2021.

In reply to Arlo Thresh (msg # 129):

No rush, we go many days without posts. The games are slow and steady, they have spurts of activity. I prefer fast and loose, but I'm in 5 of StarMasters games. I'll be here until I die or get banned, supporting my friend's games!

Navigation is for a sailing navy, Astrogation is for starships!

Nobody knows what A/R beside a piece of gear on my sheet means?

Some have "Ship" beside it, so I assume means it is left on the ship as opposed to being carried around.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:10, Tue 16 Nov 2021.

When the term Ancient Artifact is used in this game is it assumed that it refers to ancient alien artifacts or does it refer to human ancient artifacts, or both?

In reply to Steve Cable (msg # 133):


psssst... a word in your shell like ear.
_{It's poor form to refer to the Captain as an AA}
This message was last edited by the player at 08:29, Tue 16 Nov 2021.

An 'Ancient Artifact' is primarily a technological device (rather than some sort of art piece) made by a race known as the Ancients. Even though there are other alien races, the term only refers to the Ancients.

Because there's an Accelerator Rifle listed on the sheet, I'm guessing that 'A/R' is referring to that, though I don't understand why it's listed where it is.

the prior Steve did not have an Accelerator Rifle.  I added that as my muster benefit weapon.

the list was as follows:

 TL 10 Comms       Cr.   250
 Watch             Cr.    10
 Elec Binoculars   Cr.   750   A/R
 1st Aid kit       Cr    125
 Survival Kit      Cr.    50   A/R
 Security Kit&     Cr. 1,700   A/R
 Clothes           Cr.    50
 Mine Boots        Cr.    50
 Swim trunks       Cr.    10   A/R

 C. E. Kit TL8     Cr.   500  Ship
 Geiger Counter    Cr.   250  Ship
 Pressure Tent     Cr. 2,000  Ship
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 02:56, Wed 17 Nov 2021.

A/R = Air Raft

I didn't think we had one... must have been something he had on his Scoutship that got left behind... I guess I'd loose all that stuff... must not have edited his sheet after that.

Looks like the prior vessel (Rucker-class Merchant Vessel “Dust Runner”) had one.

Exactly

;^)

In my 20+ years of PbP gaming on various sites, it was generally accepted that posting between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day diminished considerably due to Holidaze, work schedule changes, family, shopping, putting up decorations, etc. For that reason, expectations for timely posts was kind of put on hold.

In my case, this didn't usually apply to me, but this year, I seem to have hit a down cycle. It's probably a combination of age + health + meds + diet + environment + Holidaze. So, just bear with me while I sort it all out and hopefully get back on track in the new year.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 141):

Merry Christmas everyone!

In reply to Harry McStubbin (msg # 142):



That's unfortunate as Miranda would have offered to swap places.

Hey Gang,

I had thought after the holidays I'd be back in full swing but I'm going to opt to leave the game (and RPoL altogether).

Things in RL have changed including my priorities and the time I have to place on them.

I appreciate the chance to be a part of this group for the short time that was and hope you all nothing but the best in life and the most fun out of your gaming.

Take care all!

Good luck out there!

In reply to Steve Cable (msg # 144):

Good luck, sorry to lose you

Luise shall we host a Gala?

Knock knock.

Anyone about?
This message was last edited by the player at 20:13, Thu 27 Jan 2022.

Still around, but a few minor health issues have combined to make it hard for me to post as much as I want.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 149):

Sorry to hear that Rob, don't hurt yourself.

And now the AC went out Thursday morning so we're sitting around in 90-degrees!

Florida would be a lot smaller population wise if it was not for the AC. At least it gave out now and not in the middle of August. Had no AC for two weeks until we got a new central AC.

So apparently it was my turn to get Covid, although a weaker strain. Culminated Monday night when I fell getting out of bed because I got dizzy and my legs were so weak they couldn't support me. After friends helped me get into a chair, called an ambulance to take me to the hospital for evaluation and testing. Everything else was clear but the test came back positive for Covid. Put some fluids in me, gave me a few prescriptions for me cough, and sent me home.

According to the doctor, I have had it for a few days, so Monday was the worst of it. Getting better, but I still feel like crap and a bit unsteady on my feet.

At least this explains why I've been feeling so crappy for awhile now.

Probably should apologize for not posting an update here, but brain's been too tired to even think of doing that.

Getting better. Just slow.

It took a while to get over it. Ended up mostly at home during my vacation that I had scheduled two month prior. Hope you get to feeling better.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:59, Thu 01 Sept 2022.

?? GM

As I said, COVID leaves you weak and tired, though I suppose in my case there are other at-risk conditions that haven't helped.

I was just starting to get caught up on my games when WHAM! Got clobbered by Hurricane Ian.

As you may have heard, Southwest Florida where I  live got clobbered by Hurricane Ian. Once again, we've lost power. With Irma, we lost it for 10 days. It could be longer this time as a couple of substations got trashed and there's almost a million people without power now across the six counties.

Currently using my friend's hot spot from his phone, but there's still the problem of charging up my computer and his cell phone.

So, not sure how much I'll be able to post before we get power back. No gas stations are operable because their pumps are electrical and they don't have power either. Most stores were closed today, but a few restaurants managed to open to feed the people that can't cook at home now.

Lots of trees down, and some damage to houses and yards. Six houses on our block lost their back porches. Our fence barely survived, but it's leaning because the ground got so soaked. Lost a few solar panels. But other than that, made it through without any damage to the house (except the back porch (the lanai) is 50% gone) and we're all intact--people, cats and dogs.

Take it one day at a time and do not overwork yourself.

Yea! Power's back as of Friday afternoon. Internet came back late Friday night. We thought it'd take long because we're at the tail end of a line and the telephone pole and transformer at the other end of the block were both lying on the ground because the pole had snapped in half!

Spent yesterday cleaning up, picking up the pieces, putting things back in place, and making sure nothing got burnt out. We'd unplugged the TVs and shut off the AC at the circuit box, so we seem to be okay.

Our two house cats keep wanting to go out on the back porch like they used to, but it's half gone, so that's not going to be an option for awhile.

Anyway, expect to get caught up on my games today.

Glad to hear. The last one took our power for a week when it knocked out the main line to the south of us.

For the post that I just did, I can not remember if we have been keeping a log of what we find.

It reads like you'll be a whe especially since you're running 20 games.

Knock, knock. Have you been able to catch up on on things?

I was... and then I wasn't. Still tired all the time. Someone in another game suggested I might have an iron deficiency. Haven't got my doctor's appointment rescheduled since it got cancelled because of the storm.

Is everyone waiting on me here?

I don't see anyone stating their preference for what they want to do...

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 164):

Hope things get better for you.

Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year.

So here's what's been happening...

I've been 'ill' for about three months now, starting with getting COVID back in the beginning of October. Wasn't too bad and I got over it in a few days, but it left me with the typical aftermath symptom of being tired ALL THE TIME. I was slowly getting over it, and even had a few hours of energy every day.

I had a doctor's appointment scheduled for mid-October but then Hurricane Ian hit. The VA clinic took some damage and was closed for two weeks. I finally got the appointment rescheduled for Jan. 13.

December 1st, I had a minor chest pain on my right side. It felt like just a minor muscle strain but at my age and with my medical history, I felt it was prudent to check. Called the VA clinic to see about a walk-in visit the next day and the nurse I talked to went into panic mode with the 'chest pain' words, and told me to go to the ER. So, on Friday, December 2nd, that's what I did. More panic mode.

Spent 4 days being poked and prodded, inspected, detected, and injected and stuff, only to be told my heart was fine. More exactly, they couldn't find any cause for the chest pain... the obvious cause seemed to elude them.

Here's where it started going to hell. Getting out of the hospital, I had an extreme loss of appetite, shortness of breath, and NO ENERGY. Didn't have any of that when I went in!

Not only was I not hungry, but nothing tasted appealing any more. Could barely eat my favorite foods, and then only 2-3 bites. On top of that, I ran out of one of my diabetes medicines. Not eating and drinking much, I also wasn't taking my meds as regularly as I had been.

This went on for the next three weeks, so things probably grew gradually worse without me quite realizing it.

December 31st, I managed to pull a back muscle, and while the pain meds I took didn't do squat, I at least knew it'd go away in a few days. It did. And then I got hives!

Jan. 6 I went to the VA clinic to get bloodwork done for my doctor's appointment. No sooner did I get home than the doctor called to tell me my blood sugar level was 903! I needed to go to the ER pronto! That's where I've been for the past week. :-(

I still didn't feel all that bad (weak and no energy), but I definitely had some serious health issues. Turned out I had ketoacidosis and some kidney issues. After a few days treatment, the keto was gone, kidneys were all better, and my blood sugar was back to normal. Now I had to survive the 'recovery'. As long as I was stuck in that hospital bed, though, I knew I wasn't going to get better. So now I'm home.

Have a nurse helping me, and physical therapy should start tomorrow. And now I have to play tag with a doctor's appointment again...

Anyway, the reason I'm telling you all this is in case you, family or a friend should find yourself in a similar situation, you'll have a heads-up/warning about what's might be happening.


Now it's just recovery and rehab.

Get Well!

As it turns out, post-hospital recovery is now an accepted and valid medical condition. For every day you spend in the hospital, it takes 3 days of home recovery. This is because a hospital doesn't do exactly what we think it does... or is supposed to do. After curing your medical problem, they send you off to a rehab facility for the recovery.

More health issues. Been in hospital for past 11 days. Transitioning to rehab soon. Will update when I can.

Get well!

So while I was stuck in the hospital bed for two weeks, I wrote and rewrote this post in my head several times. Don't remember any of it now, so here's the newest version.

THE NEVER-ENDING STORY...

The Missing Chapter: when I was discharged from the hospital back in January, I was sent home with a Foley catheter, which was more of an annoyance and handicap for my home rehab at the time. Managed to get an appointment with the VA  urologist two weeks later. He thought I should never have been sent home with it, but it was time to get it removed. Took a week of scheduling shuffles but finally went home without it on the following Thursday.

That Friday night when getting ready for bed, I lost my balance while setting something on the floor and fell over on my back onto the concrete floor. My housemate helped me get up and everything seemed fine once I was back out in the recliner. Nope. Come Saturday, I was in excruciating pain across all the muscles in my chest and back. Doan's, Aleve, Tylenol didn't help at all. Monday added a heating pad... better. Wednesday, switched to BenGay... better, but still couldn't sleep, so Thursday went back to the VA for some stronger pain meds.

That doctor saw the previous records and thought I might be having a pulmonary embolism and immediately did an ambulance transfer to the ER. 6 hours later the ER doctor decided that wasn't the case and sent me home with vicadin. Didn't do anything but pharmacy was closed so had to wait till the next day to get more.

After that, everything was fine for a few hours. Mid-afternoon, I suddenly couldn't move my legs!

EMT/PD shortly had me back in the ER. MRI of head and neck revealed a tumor in my C2 vertebra. Had spinal surgery next morning! Being the weekend, it took 4 days to get the pathology back which identified it as prostate cancer. Caught it early and getting chemo, and now in rehab to walk again.

Other than that, I'm in great health (for my age)! Probably 4-6 weeks in rehab before I go home.

Apologies for no update but really didn't think there was one.

Still paraplegic trying to recover mobility at a poor rehab facility with bad nursing and half-horrible food until...

Developed a sore on my butt from laying in bed 24/7 that didn't get treated properly and turned gangrene, so now I'm back in the hospital with surgery scheduled for Tuesday.

Recovery to go home was still about a month away. Don't yet know how this new problem will affect that.

Low energy levels at rehab have left me with a one-track mind--just have trouble shifting gears between game systems right now.

My OCD stubbornness is still keeping me from pulling the plug on my games. I really have fun running games and it really bums me out that I can't keep them going right now for all of you. For those of you who are still sticking around waiting for the game to restart, I sincerely apologize for the delay. For those of you who have moved on, no hard feelings here--I completely understand.

Anyway, Happy Easter to everyone!

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 172):

No problem Rob, I'm still here in all of them, sometimes twice! ;-) All Vince said was surgery, I was VERY worried! Due to Gangrene? Yuck, Hope it heals quick and you can convalesce at home in your leisure. Take care of yourself and get better!

The cornucopia of pharmaceuticals (i.e. bucket of pills) I'm taking also tends to knock me out... at least to the point where I have trouble concentrating on my games. Recovery and rehab are still up in the air but seem to be making progress. Just no timeline.

Anyway, I'm currently running 4 Traveller games where there are only a few players with limited posting (not counting me), so I was wondering if maybe it was feasible to roll 2-3 of them into just one game?

All of them were abandoned by the original GM and as I was a player in them, I took over the GM role to keep the games going.

I'm not sure how compatible the games might be in terms of setting (might require a bit of handwavium), but is this something the rest of you would be okay with? Characters would stay the same just be 'somewhere else'.

I'm good either way.

Can't sleep, can't focus to post... turn. More of the same. Turn. Repeat.

STAGE MINUS ONE--SPINAL SURGERY: Hell, I don't even remember half of it. This would have been the spinal surgery to remove the tumor and put me on my back for two weeks. DONE. SUCCESS!

STAGE ZERO--REHAB ERROR: Weeks at rehab facility where inadequate and improper nursing care turned an ordinary bedsore into a far more serious gangrene wound... one that now needed surgery to fix. DONE? WAS THAT A SUCCESS OR FAILURE?

STAGE ONE--BACKSIDE SURGERY: Operation on my tailbone went off without a hitch apparently. Just left with a major wound on my tailbone. Couldn't/can't put pressure on the wound while it heals, thus laying on my side and having to get turned to the other side every two hours, necessitating having to learn to type on my laptop upside down and sideways with one finger. Remember, this is at the BETTER recovery/rehab facility rather than at home, so options are still limited. Did I mention the I-V dangling from my arm that also gets in the way? DONE. SUCCESS.

STAGE TWO--STAPLES/SUTURES REMOVAL: Staples and stitches still need to come out. Don't have a timeline for that yet but presumably soon.
___STAGE 2.1: First half of the staples were taken out Tuesday. On schedule, standard routine. DONE. SUCCESS.
___STAGE 2.2: Second half of staples were removed Friday. Again, right on schedule with no complications. DONE. SUCCESS.
___STAGE 2.3: Sutures are currently supposed to come out on Monday, though that probably depends on how the final healing has progressed, since not everyone will heal the same way. PENDING.

STAGE THREE--WOUND REHAB: sitting protocols start as soon as sutures come out (?). Start getting used to sitting up  again... in 15-minute intervals. No details yet on frequency or duration. Will kind of depend on how well I do, but further complicated by not  having any control of my leg muscles. Requires moving to a normal bed rather than this deluxe air bubbling mattress that's meant to stimulate skin/muscle do I don't get more bedsores.

STAGE FOUR--HOME REHAB: As soon as I can stand up on my own two legs, I should be able to go home for final rehab. Regain mobility. At this point, there's no telling how well the wound rehab and the paralysis rehab will work together. The therapist seemed to think they could make them work together in synergy, but I didn't get a whole lot of enthusiasm from him. I suppose it could be uncharted territory for him.


ON THE BRIGHT SIDE: I now qualify for Frequent Surgery Miles. I've had four surgeries so the fifth one is free! Oddly, I started with the Big One (double bypass heart surgery 15 years ago) and that went easier than these.

Still not sure if there's a light at  the end of the tunnel yet--if there is, hope it's the Battery Low indicator and not the Westbound #9 train!

___STAGE 2.3: Sutures came out on Monday right on schedule, but the final healing is still in progress for several weeks/months. DONE. SUCCESS.

STAGE THREE--WOUND REHAB: sitting up for continued wound rehab protocols start as soon as sutures came out, about a week ago now. Start getting used to sitting up  again... in 15-minute intervals twice a day. Moved to a standard air mattress bed. Frequency and duration will kind of depend on how well I do, but further complicated by not having any control over my leg muscles and not enough feeling below the waist. Communication/responsibility issue has only produced one session--should have been six by now! PENDING???

___STAGE 3.5--RESUME PREVIOUS REHAB: In a week or two or three depending on how quickly I improve here, I get transferred to yet another Rehab facility for continued wound recovery... takes a long time... as well as mobility rehab.

___Stage 3.7--TRANSFER TO NEW REHAB: So the Wound Recovery has done well enough that I'm getting transferred to a different rehab facility for the Sitting/Mobility rehab. Don't know why there's a difference other than where I'm at is more medical than therapeutic so they need to make room for a new patient.

THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL: Different tunnel, different light. I suppose it's a step in the right direction, but we'll have to see how it goes.

Just a reminder that I'm merging this game with 2 other Traveller games. The plan is to take the three games into the Foreven Sector, but that can always change.

Adriannah has already jumped, Arc and Harry sort of have, so that just leaves Forge.

link to another game

I'll move characters over.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 177):

Fellow Human Beings ... Fellow Gamers ... Friends ...

It is with a saddened heart that I inform you all of the passing of Robert Rusk -- better known to many of us as StarMaster.

Rob passed in his sleep on Thursday morning, July 6, 2023, at approximately 10:30am.  He had been hospitalized since early in the year due to complications concerning Cancer & associated surgeries.  He was 73 years old.

Rob was a Comics Fan Boy & fiction writer wannabe his whole life and came to Roleplaying in the Early Days of 1978.  It was my distinct pleasure to have met him, and gamed with him, since that time.

After his Retirement, Rob committed himself to the community he found in RPol, participating in over 20+ games, here.  He was an especial "softie" for GM-adopting abandoned games and working to keep them running, for the enjoyment of the Players.

He will be missed.

His roommate posted this in a game we shared.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:40, Fri 07 July 2023.

In reply to Harry McStubbin (msg # 178):

Anybody still here? Anyone interested in continuing in the new game, or are we done? We can try to get a new GM or one of us can run if you are interested.

Checking to see if another game including  current characters is possible.

In reply to Adriannah Orilliah (msg # 180):

Working on it Adriannah. The GM is familiarizing himself with rules for Mongoose. I guess we'll just combine the games and crew as Rob had wanted to do. I'll post a link when he set's it up.

In reply to Harry McStubbin (msg # 181):

Excellent TY

In reply to Adriannah Orilliah (msg # 182):

Here it is, just let him know your character's name and you can migrate it in.

link to another game