Time to start a new OOC thread. We sure do talk alot!

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 1):

       Bingo!  We have a Winner!

Which is funny. In the Army, one of my Sergeants was from Boston and the whole "Park the CARR" and other phrases.

In reply to Walter Zeller (msg # 3):

Pok the Cah ;-)

I do believe that for a 'proper' Bostonian, that is would be "Ah pahked mah cahr in Hahvahd Yahd" ... which for those who are not familiar with the Greater Boston Area, this individual left their automotive vehicle in the historic/touristy district of the major Ivy League institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

In reply to Sharik Kaagira (msg # 5):

Looking at Harvard Yard, you'd probably get a parking ticket if you did that.

Perhaps, Indy.  Though it may depend on who you know… apparently, Tommy Lee Jones and Al Gore were roommates at Harvard.

Would Indy know Gnat?

Not likely, not yet. "Could" have, but Nathaniel has used up the 2 "career event" contacts that character creation allows. So seem to have 'missed' each other. Ships passing in the night.

*shrug* Likely, Shar would not have mentioned him specifically to you, Indy.  But, if you asked about him (not sure where you would have gotten the name from originally), Sharik would tell you that she knew him as childhood friend from Gaargir (it's not a secret or anything as far as she is aware).  And that he was a scientist or archaeologist or some such now.   Even got some fairly prestigious awards, apparently.

But. honestly, Shar mostly remembers stuff like family dinners and such from a few decades ago.  Oh, and this one epic food fight in middle school...

With respect to the number of connections: you can have more than two, but after the second you don't get more skills or anything (i.e. no mechanical advantages).  But in the past, Starmaster has never stopped anyone from extra connections that people wanted to have to just connect.

And for where and when you "could" have encountered Nathaniel, see msg #948 in the previous OOC thread link to a message in this game

There's no limit to how many prior connections you can have. The limit is on gaining a skill benefit from them. On the other hand, it doesn't mean you can't attache an existing skill to a prior connection. The Rule is simply a game mechanic. There's no reason you can't flesh out a character's life if you so desire. I'm never been particularly good at that, but I appreciate it when others do so.

As it is, you've got Nat moving around the sector in far more detail than the rules ever deal with. Four years in a career is generally considered like 4 years in modern day. What did you do in the evenings for entertainment? What did you do on the weekends? What did you do on vacations and holidays? You can flesh that sort of detail out as much as you want. You took a dance class for one month, went fishing on the weekends, went to Disney World on vacation once, etc. There are a lot of 'skills' that aren't really covered in the game because they aren't expected to be relevant to 'adventuring'. Can your character play the violin (however poorly)? Does she like ballroom dancing? Can he cook? There's a wide range of skills that wouldn't even fall under the Rank-0 classification. It means 'basic knowledge/training' in the skill, but I can cook... yet, by game terms, I wouldn't have even Cooking-0.

So I should (at least could) fill in a lot of additional detail. I focused on providing good context for what the character creation dice did and fitting into the existing campaign. Though other than deliberately ending up where Longshot was in port, the locations were not "pre" matched to other characters backgrounds. I just happened to end up matching homeworlds with Sharik and Vonon. I did not know that until after the background was written.

Okay, I put up the UPP for TAMI. If anyone has an idea that I didn't cover, just let me know.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 14):

Would TAMI have steward?

I don't think (MGT2) that Psionic is a skill with specializations. The individual talents appear to be standalone, and equivalent to 'main' skills. The difference being that there is no Psionic(0) to use as a base talents you do not have.

In reply to Jack Blackwood (msg # 15):

No, she has no hands or feet, she can't prepare food or take someone to their room.

How about Engineering (Life Support) 1, Engineering (Power) 1. Although Power would be non standard as used for that base. And there better be some remote ops robots to do the maintenance that did not get seen. Parked in the walls someplace, since housekeeping was all done.

I do not see a particular reason to have Drive or Flyer, unless that is related to the remote operations for robots doing the maintenance. Might be a good thing that Nat accidentally picked up both of the skills, to go with the Electronics (remote ops). Even if the drive specialization was hovercraft.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:53, Wed 26 Jan 2022.

In reply to Nathaniel Harken (msg # 16):

In the MgT2 CRB, you are correct, in so far as they don't specify it (but then Mongoose is notorious for that). However, you can roll for Psionic Talent and succeed, but then not succeed at any of the specific Talents. In that case, it seems the best way to designate that is Psionics-0, with the proviso that it doesn't mean you have all the Talents under it.

The MgT1 Book 4 Psion goes into much more detail, with more Talents (including Advanced Talents). In that book, there's a way to get the Telepathy Talent but not get all the Powers under it, so you could have Telepathy-0 with Read Surface Thoughts at 2.

That's the way I'll go... at least with TAMI.


Don't think TAMI was in control of Life Support or Power. As a recent invention, nobody really trusted a psionic AI with those systems.

No Remote Ops for Drones/robots. Limited facility with underlings to do the clean up. The auto-AC kept the place reasonably clean. After it was abandoned, it was a sealed facility.

She could still serve a number of hospitality functions (and may have been programmed to do them), especially if integrated with a lighting/holographic projection system, though (and Walter just had such systems installed in each stateroom, I believe - though TAMI may not be tied into them at all).  So, she could lead a person around the ship and interact with them even if they can't physically touch; and TAMI does have an avatar that she identifies with.

So, she might have Steward-0 (or greater), theoretically.

The whole point of putting up a UPP for TAMI was to show areas where she can be trained (i.e. programs added).

Good point about the holography, though. There wasn't any such system on the facility.

The Electronics (Remote Ops) skill uses the DEX characteristic, so TAMI needs an analog for that as well. A thought for later: Figure out the cost to get some 'vehicles' for Tammy to use as remote bodies. from simple camera drones, to something equivalent to Veronica (just the body, not the smarts). A humanoid body would allow her to interact 'better' with the local biological Sophonts. For TAMI's purposes, a non-humanoid drone loaded with sensors might be better. With manipulators. After trust enough to allow her more physical interaction with the world and ship.

Skills can use other Characteristics when appropriate. I'm guessing Remote Ops was DEX because they thought someone would be playing with a joystick. In TAMI's case, it would be INT. The equivalent of an autopilot.

She could have arms and legs. She does have remote ops...

In reply to Nathaniel Harken (msg # 22):

Does the uncanny valley still exist in this setting?

In reply to Inderpal Kumar (msg # 25):



       Anybody says anything about Vonon's ... sexual proclivities ... and they get punted out an airlock!!

       This is not my Puddle!


       I hope...

In reply to Vonon Ronkunu (msg # 26):

Indy has been kidnapped by Vonon to use as a sex toy? I never thought it was Vo until now! OMG!

;-)

Somebody was hired to gift wrap a present for Sharik?

Excitement likely to start. @Starmaster, would you like to assign some date/times to the various threads, so people can respond appropriately in Sharik's time line when she decides it's time to yell for help? Nat's and Tescha's time is constrained by when the sale notification went out, delays forwarding, sending query, Sir Walter forwarding, Tescha responding, then the travel time. Sir Walter commented about breakfast. Is that the morning after where Sharik currently is? Sharik seemed to be responding to threads in the evening before going out. Adjusting Sir Walter's time to afternoon/evening would put Nat and Tescha pretty close to synchronized with Sharik and Inderpal. Depending how leisurely the meal was.

Side note for Sharik, before things go crazy. From your post about the Yacht, you might like a Safari Ship better. As a base to tweak.

New topic @Starmaster, I assume that the recording Nat is viewing has been edited to exclude:

• references to TAMI, telepathy
• images that would include the computer, and power system (basically the whole bottom floor)
• images with the journal or samples
• images with the tool used to open cabinets and panels
• images that would include getting power and data lines to TAMI

But that it is not possible to filter out that the door opened, or that later the lights came on.

Is the sensor data included in this record? For 'proof', as part of the record, it should be. Is something equivalent to the material opaque/invisible to modern sensors part of your view of the current technology?

Sharik would actually be more inclined to look at/for something like a racing yacht (not unlike this Binndee Tydeswell TS Type-YS2 Kundeai Class Yacht:  http://i.4pcdn.org/tg/1425260824157.pdf )

In reply to Nathaniel Harken (msg # 28):

     Here's what I remember ...  (uh, who are all of you, again...?)

     The "Facility" actually had 2 power generating systems -- a "hybrid" geothermal and/or geomagnetic Primary Power Source, with a Solar-Electric Collector system integrated into the roof of the building, as a back-up.

     When enough of the glacier had melted off the Facility, the solar-Electric Collector started charging the back-up batteries.  By the time we showed up, there was enough power available to open the doors, turn on a few lights here-and-there, and run one of the lift cars (real slow).

     All of that--as well as our comments speculating about possible "battery back-up power" supplies--would still be on the records.  So too would Vonon telling Khea and the other Engineers to look around for both the "battery back-up" power supply and "any other power generation" equipment.

     Khea would eventually find the Primary Power Generator down in the Lower Level--and once we figgered out how that system worked, we all started tossing around the phrase "Core-Tap".  Khea was able to activate said generator, but not at full capacity.

     Once the nature of the power generator was explained to Vonon by Khea, Vonon thought that the technology might be (unique and) valuable, so he had Khea study/analyze/record as much as we could of the tech while it was operating.  This too would have been on the recordings--in fact, that data might even be available for sale/licensing at the auction (but we're still gonna keep a copy)

     Now, as I recall, the actual "computer components" that make up the core of TAMI, were located in the Lower Level, but they were always described as either "blank-faced boxes" or just detailed as "nondescript"--her 4 "base" components are her Processor Unit and 3 "Memory Modules".  All 4 of these items we were led to believe were separate "closed cabinets".  Large cabinets, to be sure, but not a collection of "server towers" and "wiring racks".  TAMI barely had anything that looked like a "user interface" (no keyboard, that I recall; she responded to verbal commands)

     In other words, TAMI's "body" appears on the outside to be nondescript "electronics" and could easily be mistaken as just a part of the Power Generator equipment.

     So...it's possible that, with all the recordings we made of the Power Generator gear, there could be images of TAMI--we would only have edited out any time someone made a reference to a "computer" or to "Tammy".

     One thing that might pique Nate's interest is that there is video of us exploring several rooms that are obvious Laboratories.  All were clearly "shut down" and inactive (i.e., not "abandoned"), and most looked to have been of a Chemical or Biological function.



     I just had a thought...

     As I recall, the "Core-Tap" was still active, when we left the Facility.

     If that Guardship really did slag the Facility ... I wonder if planet Coventry is still there...?

Ha-ha! That would be great! And tragic... if the planet blew up! Of course, in that case, it'd be weeks before it was known... if the Overwatch ship got caught in it.

In any case, it wasn't a core tap. It used the rotation of the planet itself to generate power. It was one of the reasons there weren't any energy signature from the facility. Its composition blocked out anything else.

It's not that the system doesn't have value, it's just that there aren't too many corporations or government that can make it work.

There was no reason to edit out any of the images of the computer, since it was already mentioned that there was one. What made it strange (and probably 'primitive') was the size. Nothing needs to be that big to have fantastic processing power or memory storage. The 3 visible units were the size of refrigerators!

Since the samples weren't put up for auction and were all found in cabinets, there's no reason for them to be on the recordings. Other than that, Nat, that's about right.


Indy/Sharik is a sidetrek for them. Just like the auction for Tescha, buying and selling cargo for Sir Walter, Val and Sly going to a ski resort, etc.

If you want to write up a timeline for everyone, go for it. I'm not intending to.

No timeline needed, as long as that "stays" separate. I was just expecting that Sharik would be calling friends to help. After all, Vonon is a 'cop'. Nat and some others with Investigate skill could run a real forensic toolkit to get started with tracking.

For the rest, I'll adjust some of my post being prepared. Make that posts. It is already getting bigger than the ones I have already done. I am walking back through the Coventry thread, so that I can know what Nat is seeing in the videos.

The power being left on (without computer control), and the patrol ship saying that they had not detected any power readings was one of the interesting data points. With that, and the -3C temperature, they might not bother to slag it. Without tech, even with the building for shelter, that is (apparently) a less livable space than where the … colonists … are currently. What happens to the system now that the computer is no longer managing things is another interest question.  Did you leave the door open?

In reply to Nathaniel Harken (msg # 28):

I think Indy would personally prefer a box. Or to jump out of a cake.

Ooh, ooh!  Sharik seconds a surprise Indy cake!  She'll bring the whip...ped cream!

EDIT:  Double post!
This message was last edited by the player at 03:03, Mon 14 Feb 2022.

Checking in.

Hmmmm … isn’t Indy bound and gagged?

In reply to Sharik Kaagira (msg # 37):

Indeed. Which is why I posted OOC.

     So ... Idiot Boy (me) finally went and bought a New Laptop.  Oh, and not just a new laptop -- oh no! -- I went and bought an up to date, current technology laptop.  Super-duper Processor, fast as a rabbit internet, more graphics power than I'll ever need, and it even has Windows 11 installed ... this thing is something the NSA would be jealous of.

     So of course, I have no idea how to make this damn thing do any of the things I want it to do!  I keep giving it commands ... it keeps refusing ... I keep hitting the Run button ... it just runs around my house, yelling "Nyaa-nyaa" ... I keep chasing after it, waving a 3-pound ball peen hammer ... sigh ...

     So please bear with me, until I beat some obedience get through the learning curve of this new machine.

I got a new desktop lately - my old one basically stopped working reliably after 8 years.

In reply to Inderpal Kumar (msg # 40):

I'm on a linux box now, get my windows 10 back next week, hope it doesn't cost too much.

Looking at having to replace my computer of six years since W@indow 11 will not work on it.

In reply to Walter Zeller (msg # 42):

Why are you going to Windows 11 then?

I suspect for work since sometimes I work from home. No rush but also some of the video games are very temperamental with the current system (Looking at Fallout 4 and Battletech.)

In reply to Walter Zeller (msg # 44):

Be Warned!  I've found out the hard way that Windows 11 is NOT compatible with the Antivirus program that I've used for the last 4 years, and am very, very happy with!  Same with a bunch of others, too.

Now I'm gonna get stiffed for the cost of the year of protection I still have on that account, and the "basic level" of default protection that Windows 11 provides is inferior to what I've lost....

Double check for compatibility with your most used programs and apps, before you commit to Windows 11.

Thanks Microsoft and Windows!  You are always making our lives easier ... in the Most Difficult Way!

:-/ Sure Windows 11 is easier. If you can't use programs at all, you don't have to learn how. That is EASY, right? :-/

I use various flavours of linux. Except where I need to do support for others using windows. But then I am not running any games that only run on latest versions on m-doze. For main applications, there are free alternatives, though that does need some extra work to research what will do the best job, and get it installed. Not everything 'plays nice' with linux either.

Never used Linux myself. Or MacOS.

Is everything OK at the moment, GM?

In reply to Inderpal Kumar (msg # 48):

Yeah ... no, it's not him, it's me ...

RL's been smacking me upside the head, past month ...

Haven't really been feeling myself, lately ...
(wait a minute ...)

A little off my Meds ...

*sigh*

Just making excuses ...

I'm trying to get back into my normal 'swing of things', I promise.

Gonna try right now, in fact ...

Hey StarMaster & Sharik...?

Vonon's last post to Sharik was to ask if she thought she could "hack"(? -- or otherwise get) info from the local police grid that would let us track down the current location of the All Star Tech service van.  If I understand the current situation, we/she has confirmed that:

     1. That a company called "All Star Tech" does actually exist.
     2. That All Star Tech does use grav-vans for service vehicles.
     3. That All Star Tech does own a grav-van with the observed ID tag.
     4. That All Star Tech has said that they did not dispatch that grav-van anywhere near the winery/restaurant.

Planet Duncinae is Law Level 8 -- they probably have all kinds of methods for tracking vehicles in operation.  And they are Tech Level B (11), so much of that will likely be computer controlled.

Of course, that Law Level 8 also means that their computer security will be significantly tougher.  Say, Sharik...all your computer Mojo is, what, TL14?

And that the "local criminal element" will also be versed in appropriately "avoiding" legal entanglements...

So anyway ... I'm guessing we/you are just getting together over all that ... and Sharik is just waiting for that info before she can respond to Vonon ...?

The GM hasn't logged into the site at all since Monday, which is why I'm concerned.

In reply to Inderpal Kumar (msg # 51):

He's just busy, he's alright. Seen him other places, Vonon would know, they're close friends.

In reply to Sylvester Jinx (msg # 52):

Yeah ... I once helped him escape from a French Prison ...

Devil's Island?

Yeah, I was waiting, but I guess that I can/should do an intermediate post, it seems.  I'll try to get something that isn't too holding-pattern-ish up today.

In reply to Sharik Kaagira (msg # 55):

Devil's Island?!  What're you...

Oh, I see...  My apologies--I mis-spoke.  I did not help StarMaster to escape from a French Prison...I helped him to escape from a French Fry!

Yeah ... some damn intense acting student, handing out coupons while dressed as the french-fry mascot for a local burger joint while doing an over-the-top cheezie French accent just kept coming after StarMaster...

I just had to step in!  So, I quickly assembled a bundle of coconut husks, shoved them into StarMasters arms, then tossed StarMaster off the Naples Pier, so he could float away to safety...

Actually... I think he eventually made land a few days later, somewhere on the coast of Hispaniola.  I'm not really sure ... 'cuz I lost interest right after I threw him off the Pier...

But he's okay!!!

Now...

So, you made him a "Pier" of the realm?

Hope he is doing well.

In reply to Walter Zeller (msg # 57):

Me too.

It's the usual excuses for me... too little sleep resulting in too little brain power to process any posts that require a lot of thinking. No sooner do I get caught up than it seems like I've fallen behind again.

When I don't post in a game for a few days, I forget where I left off, and then that requires even MORE brain power to recover.

So, it never hurts to send me a PM reminder if you are waiting on a response from me.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 59):

Ahh, there you are, glad you're okay Rob! My computer is back again with all my files. Only missing bookmarks to my Greyhawk links.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 59):

Noted. Glad you're back.

     I just love bitching talking about Tech Level Difference and the importance of Gear TL on the Game Mechanic...

     But not today.  ^_^

     Nat wouldn't know it now, but as he gets more familiar with Longshot he's gonna find that the ship is very...dichotomous.  She's a mysterious blend of Old and New, High and Low tech, Pristine and Worn-Out.

     Longshot is around 100 years old (maybe a little older).  I think that both the original SDB and Jump Shuttle were built at Tech Level C (Tech/12) ... or Tech/10 ... I'm not 100% sure about that.

     Over the century that it's been operating, several systems have been upgraded or outright replaced--including the procedure that fused the SDB permanently to its Jump Shuttle.  The old Jump Drive was replaced, and the current Jump Drive we're pretty sure is a Tech Level E (Tech/14) device.  There is also a Tech/14 AutoDoc in Sick Bay, but it is old.  I also seem to recall (perhaps incorrectly) that there was something "different" about the Maneuver Drives, too.

     The 4 Repair Drones appear to be rather old and worn, and I'm not sure what their TL of manufacture is, but they are tough, strong, and work fine...but they never listen when Vonon orders them around! (Actually, they're not designed to respond to verbal commands--Vonon just likes 'barking' at them ^_^)  The Mining Drones are, I think, a more sophisticated design--they are small and operate together in large numbers.  We have dozens on board.  They are equipped for both prospecting and extraction.

     Ohhhh yeahhhh... we also have 1 Alien egg-with-tentacles-looking robot that we stole salvaged from a really strange "Pyramid Ship" wreck we encountered in deep space--I recall Vonon ordering "Take one of those with us, so we can study it!"  After that...I think it's been shoved into a suit locker, down in the landing bay.

     I think that's it ... maybe something about the laser cannon targeting system ... and some weirdness about the Ship Computer having more capacity than it actually uses ... oh, and there's a locked Secure Cargo Bay, on the Lower Deck, that none of us will talk to Nat about ... and Nat might, occasionally, hear a woman's voice over the intercom, now and then, but he's just imagining it!  There is no voice!  You heard nothing!

In reply to Vonon Ronkunu (msg # 62):

We'll have to get him to inspect the inside of the airlock without a suit if he finds out about TAMI.

Could be problematic since she has a holographic purple haired avatar chosen already and has some autonomy to display it...

In reply to Vonon Ronkunu (msg # 62):

Nat does not know about that, but I «player» have been aware of some of it. Promoting the idea of have the best available tools for the job(s) fits in both normal and extreme circumstances.

Nat is a scientist. Solving puzzles is in the job description, boosted by Investigate skill. Longshot and what it carries will be providing him plenty to 'play' with. Science (Robotics), and Electronics(Computers) fit right in with that. When we get that far, I wonder if (some of) the mining drones can be re-purposed for reconnaissance? Or security. With all of those choices, prioritizing what to work on first is going to be the problem. Other than things that directly, immediately affect ship functionality. Which would put the repair drones near the top, along with the computer functionality. Something 'unknown' in the computer is a risk, since how it effects performance in the future is unknown. It might be inactive so far, but it might not stay that way. That egg with tentacles will be high on Nat's 'personal' priority list. Alien robotics to figure out and learn from.

Things to discover, either when people in the know tell him about them, or to discover when Nat runs his own diagnostics.

Correct on the maneuver drives Captain! They are two maneuver 3's rather than one M-6 that works by alternating between the two. They are at least TL-14, although I suspect another one or two levels higher.

I am not sure we still have the mining drones. I think they were removed as part of the renovations. However, there are more surprises in the ship (See the prior OOC, message 912)

I had forgotten about the egg with tentacles, maybe something to get checked out when we get the ship overhauled. (Destination: Unknown.  Msg 419 has 4 of them loaded in the cargo bay. Hum, I am not sure if it is still there as Msg 483 has my order  "Since it is Imperial property and we are not, get everything pertaining to the Alien ship aboard the scout in case the Navy wants to pay us a social call." However, I do not see a message that the instruction was carried out, or that they were sold as part of the deal.)

The computer is a Model 6 but is working as a 4 due to a damaged section that was partitioned off. There is redundant systems so when it gets fixed, we might have to get a computer expert (4+) to make sure that it is repaired right.

The simulation program has a slight delay between going active and releasing fire control of 2 seconds and apparently the turrets have not been inspected since they were installed. Something to get checked out, along with adding more turrets.

Oh, and this August will have us in the game for 8 years now, so please forgive us for the fuzzy memory.

I'm on computer 3, but working on computer 4. TL16.

In reply to Sylvester Jinx (msg # 67):

Nat has Electronics (Computers) 2, but can match Sylvesters' rolls due to the INT DM. Sylvester knows more, but Nat is a bit more creative at doing things that aren't in the book.

Yes, the mining drones were sold as partial payment for the renovations.


As for Tech Level costs... Here's what I saw with computers. Back in the 70s, when memory was very limited, you had to do a lot of workarounds, such as punched card reader input. As memory became more and more plentiful, programs grew to fill that memory, rather than the cost going down. That's why I tend to say programs have so much capability in Traveller.

Cell phones a.k.a. communicators/comms work on a similar premise. As the tech goes up, the phones do a lot more. The first cell phone was just a mobile phone. Then they added view screens, flashlight, camera, hot spots, calendars, address books, alarms, etc. With each new iteration, though, the price goes up. Sure, they try to make low-end phones, but they wind up being limited or restrictive.

As a counter RL example, the first 'business class' desktop computer I bought, with single core 60Mhz processor, 640K of memory and a 10M hard drive cost $6000 (a lot more if inflation is taken into account), while the 'home' one currently on my desk (close to the same physical size) with quad core 3GHz processor, 16G memory and 1TB Hard drive cost $500 (refurbished). Both functionality up and price down across the board.

Cellphone prices going up is I think mostly because those improvements are being crammed into smaller spaces. The same functionality in a bigger package (tablet) is a lot cheaper, until increasing display size and resolution bring the price up again.

"wind up being limited or restrictive" … sure, compared to other marketed options. But not compared to the basic cell phone they are 'replacing'. And with other marketing, my current smart phone was 'free'. They make the money on the services.

After all that RL stuff, it *IS* GM choice on what is available at what price.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:59, Mon 14 Mar 2022.

Actually, I think that two of you (Nathaniel and Starmaster) are talking at cross-purposes using the same data.  You're both pretty much right - but, are advocating different aspects of the same phenomena.  As technology improves, the high-end stays high-end (and actually, accounting for inflation/cost of living) pretty much targets the same demographic buyer (Starmaster's point).  But since technology progresses, a given feature set/spec becomes more inexpensive over time (Nathaniel's point) - as it becomes less cutting edge and more commercial/commodity/obsolete.

Both are correct (and actually reflected in the Traveller economics to the 0th approximation - no one really wants to run a full-scale galactic economic simulation as part of their RP experience - just look at the base, prototech and retrotech rules).  As a side noted, I am just glad that Sir Walter is willing to take on the trading burden for the game - Traveller mechanics are skewed a bit in trade being so simplistic, but that is fine for what we want to do (which is make a crap ton of credits and live the High Life™ in the Fast Lane™ (to messily mix a lot of really disparate metaphors!) :D)...

In any case, as tech level increases the 'power' of the computer increases, but the applications run also simply take up the available resources (whether that is making it more secure or usability or general complexity/compatibility or EMP hardening or whatever).  And as Nat noted, we go with whatever Starry wants.

---

Completely tangentially, as far as I am aware, Nat and Sly have the same Int modifier (+2), which is also the same as Sharik's incidentally.  It is true that Nat has a D(13) for Int characteristic, where as both Sly and Shar 'only' have C(12), but both stats yield a +2 modifier.  Sly's UPP table listing for in the thread seems to have a typo as it only lists a (+1), but that would be incorrect for a rating of 12 (even for, or especially for, a Darrian).  I am assuming that value of 12 is correct (and not the modifier), since that is replicated in Sly's bio line as an Int of 'C'.

@Sarik, I like the wording you used. I did not get that Art(Write) hat on straight.

Yep, I just looked at the listed modifier, without checking the value it was based on.

In reply to Nathaniel Harken (msg # 72):

+2? Thanks Shar, Rob? ;-D

Just to let you know that I'm away until Friday evening.

Checking in.

In reply to Inderpal Kumar (msg # 75):

Greetings!

@GM: What do the voices sound like?

The voices that Sharik and Vonon heard were the two Vargr.

A few seconds after that, Indy hears Sharik's loud voice.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 78):

Got it. I thought Sharik had entered the room. Am I wrong?

In reply to Inderpal Kumar (msg # 79):

     Yo, Adrian Indy!

     As I/Vonon was "seeing" it, the exterior door led into a kind of office/reception room--the presence of a desk & filing cabinet being my clue to that...

     Sharik knocked on the exterior door, and Vonon opened that door @ 30 seconds later.

     As Vonon & Sharik stepped into the "outer office" we heard some noises from a "back room"--as well as spotting a door we assumed would lead into said "back room"--immediately followed by hearing some muffled voices.

     Upon hearing the noises/voices, Sharik called out to the two Vargr--even clearly stating their names. This was the first time Sharik called out.  Except for the initial knocking on the outside door, and until Sharik called out, I don't think we made much other noise--but then again, I don't believe that either of us actually said we were being "stealthy".  I'd assume we made some "incidental" noise, just not a lot of it.

     After Sharik called out, there was a pause, and we heard more noise from the "back room".

     At that point Vonon hurried to the "back door"--I assume Sharik will follow, but do not hold me to that--where he opened the door and started shouting as soon as he stepped into the next room...

     Again, maybe you shouldn't hold me to that.  It's entirely possible that the door is locked.  ^_^

     I really should have paused for a confirmation that the door would open ... but I kinda got "caught up in the moment" while writing the scene of Vonon (dressed a semi-formal Highland Outfit of kilt & double-breasted jacket) storming through the door, barking out an angry-sounding growl at the top of his voice while animatedly gesturing at the two Vargr.

     Guess we'll find out if/when StarMaster slaps me down corrects my post ^_^

     But, y'know ... maybe Vonon isn't expecting Sharik to be "right behind him" ... Vonon did tell Sharik to let him be the focus of the Vargr's attention ... and that she should just focus on getting to Indy and getting her out ...

A take on an old - old joke about English to Russian, then Russian to English translation.

"The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak"

supposedly comes back as

"The vodka is strong but the meat is rancid"

In reply to Nathaniel Harken (msg # 81):

Oh I can talk about translational errors a lot. This is a famous problem - both languages are rich in idioms, synonyms and homonyms. However, while "spirit" can be erroneously translated from English to Russian as "pure alcohol" (ethanol) which is a source of humor indeed but there is no way it could evolve into "vodka" without a creative and jocular translator.

We have a similar urban legend that a poem entitled in Russian "The soul is immortal, the flesh is perishable" on a reverse translation returned as "The meat will rot, the alcohol will remain", which is a little bit more believable because there is a link of synonyms-homonyms which could lead to this.

I've been under the weather for the past two weeks with insufficient mental energy to post, and then Thursday morning the AC went out so I've been melting in 90-degree heat for the past 4 days. Tech finally got here yesterday and the AC was working fine when he left, but now it's out again! Aaargh!

Hope you're better soon.

Better already, seeing the doctor tomorrow anyway, and hopefully the AC will get fixed tomorrow. The company seems to be in the middle of a cluster fig. Had 3 techs out on 3 different days, and the one that 'fixed' it has to come back tomorrow and 'fix' it again. All 3 techs showed up in the dark about the problem. Company can't seem to communicated with its techs. Apparently they had to get a part from China or the Ukraine or somewhere... for an AC that they installed in the first place! Nice to know that we got the leftover unit that had been discontinued 20 years ago.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 85):

That's just in time manufacturing for you. The major land freight route from China to Europe is through Russia and space on the ships that go the long way round is limited.

In reply to Inderpal Kumar (msg # 86):

     Now that Godzilla has left Tokyo, I will put up a post sometime later Thursday (the 28th).

     I promise...


(Anybody wanna buy a Bridge?  I got one ... gonna go real cheap ...)

These guys will sell you a bridge:

https://www.bridgesforsale.co.uk/

I work with bridges regularly

https://www.tutorialspoint.com...-in-computer-network

Checking in

In reply to Inderpal Kumar (msg # 90):

I'm here to Rob.

How is everyone at the moment? Been a busy week at work for me.

Slammed at work and I can not wait to get to the weekend!

In reply to Walter Zeller (msg # 93):

Likewise slammed at work, but a birthday always a pleasant distraction.

Happy birthday! May the candles on your cake, burn like cities in your wake.

In reply to Walter Zeller (msg # 95):

Happy Birthday Jack, I turned 61 3 weeks ago.

In reply to Sylvester Jinx (msg # 96):

Arrggg.... you're 61 too?

In reply to Jack Blackwood (msg # 97):

HA!  I don't even turn 60 until this September!

Wait ... what am I so happy about...?

In reply to Vonon Ronkunu (msg # 98):

young whippersnapper! Yes Jack, I turned 61 on May 1st.

A bunch of kids. 67 later this year.

In reply to Nathaniel Harken (msg # 100):

Sorry to hear that. when you disappear we'll know you passed away and will hold a moment of silence!

In reply to Jack Blackwood (msg # 94):

Happy Birthday!

Very weird!

I'm only 39--it says so on my fake driver's license. Or maybe that's just how old I feel...

I turned 72 back on Cinco de Mayo. :-(

I declared myself a birthday-free person 20 years ago... and yet they keep piling up!

When you declare yourself 'birthday-free', you have to also forget when that was. Otherwise, that time span keeps reminding you of the birthdays you don't have any more :)

I am starting to feel that I am the young pup of the group as I am 58. :)

In reply to Walter Zeller (msg # 105):

Nope, not at all. I was born in the 1980s, but I don't actually remember them.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:58, Mon 23 May 2022.

Is that anything like... "If you can remember the Sixties, you weren't there."

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 107):

I remember the 60's, quite well, though I was knee high to a grasshopper. The 70's, the 80's, the 90's. I just forget a lot of what happened after 2005 or 10.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 107):

No, it's like I was a toddler when 1990 happened.

Apologies - I missed out on the fact that we were all having a meeting, as I was busy in RL and pursuing Private things in the game. Will try and catch up

Also I am gonna be a bit intermitant at posting until 6th June - I am away camping for a few days, and then theres the Jubilee long weekend.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:24, Fri 27 May 2022.

"Shave them bare, everywhere!" makes me think of a certain song from The Simpsons.

In reply to Inderpal Kumar (msg # 111):

Yup, including their gonads and all, they'll be BALD!

I was more thinking "See My Vest".

Going to wait for the GM to respond before I do my next post.

In reply to Inderpal Kumar (msg # 114):


       Yeah, sorta... ^_^

       Vonon, there, was both paraphrasing what Nate had said and (subconsciously) misinterpreting what Nate said, as well...

       C'mon!  He's half-Stoned!  ^_^

Good job attorney-client privilege is a thing.

A disco ball? Are we that gauche?

I Feel Love!

Checking in.

Zhodani Knight Fever

In reply to Jack Blackwood (msg # 120):

By the Brothers Gibb?

Why not?

In reply to Jack Blackwood (msg # 120):

I'm actually responsible for the existence TV Tropes article on the British honours system called Knight Fever, FWIW. And Boogie Knights.

I think this bit has reached a conclusion and we ought to skip ahead.

Why do I have the feeling that the Longshot is a large scale weirdness magnet?

In reply to Walter Zeller (msg # 125):

     I have no idea what you're talking about... (as Vonon turns off a switch marked "Weirdness Accumulator")

Hmmm. Nat joined the 'circus' before Vonon flipped the switch.

My Sylvester, the cat this PC was named after, passed away last night, 8/7/22 at 10:18pm. He died in my arms at approximately 17 years old +/- a year maybe. He will be missed.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:41, Mon 08 Aug 2022.

Sorry for your loss, Jinx.  May your Sylvester rest in peace.

In reply to Sharik Kaagira (msg # 130):

My sympathies, Bubba.  It's always hard for me, too.

Thanks Shar, I still have Jinx, he's only 6 so I should have him for awhile, he curls with the wife but lives for me! ;-)

Yes Vince, I cried too, I was holding and comforting him through his death throes. He was a sweet boy. He was gorgeous when I got him, a beautiful black and white Tuxedo cat with the longest tail in the house, and the only bellies bigger than his are mine and my roommate when he passed away, he slept on the floor beside my chair in the office the last 6 years or so, always there.

Yep. Never a dull moment on the Long Shot, is there?


Sorry to hear about your cat, Sylvester. We've lost two cats and a dog since I've been here, and I still miss them. We have two new cats now, and two visiting putt-putt dogs. Love them all.

Sorry for your loss, Jinx.

In reply to Inderpal Kumar (msg # 135):

Thank you all,  I still have 11 to love, I've had over 60 cats in my life Rob, loved them all, miss them all, remember them all!

Now, to molest Val! ;-)

Vonnon, in theory, the lawyer left as of msg #556. Are you talking to her aura?

Oh, I know. Vonnon is so out of it from the drink that he can't see, but he can still smell her :)

To see how I got the numbers for the uniqueness odds, have a look at
https://betterexplained.com/ar...he-birthday-paradox/
About half way through that page is a form you can enter numbers into to get calculated and simulated results. Search for "Try out the birthday paradox" to jump directly to it. Put in 100 people and whatever number of unique worlds represented by the population of Coventry in items. At 500 worlds, the odds of getting all unique worlds with random selection is essentially zero. At 1075 worlds, it is 1%. That is with the same number from each world, and ignoring the other criteria shown by the research.

Checking in.

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.

The hard part is the low energy levels for a few weeks after you start to feel better.

Get well!

In reply to Walter Zeller (msg # 141):

I only had that a bit. The main thing was the cough.

In reply to Inderpal Kumar (msg # 142):

Never had it. If I did, I didn't know it. I had first two vaccines, skipped the extra crap..

Yeah, the cough and sore throat from all the coughing was rough for a few days, but after going to the hospital, the doctor gave me some pills and codeine for it. Plus, NyQuil Severe Lemon Honey works great in suppressing both the cough and the sore throat. Anyway, those are mostly gone. Just low energy now.

Had the vaccine, too. I'm guessing it doesn't help with any of the new strains. Remember, CoVid-19 was just a new strain, too.

I figure I must have picked it up from one of the stores I went to... probably from touching something rather than any contact with people. Took around six days before symptoms showed up.

If my legs hadn't gotten weak to the point where I fell down, I'd probably have just chalked it up to another cold.

Some of the published information says that even when the vaccine does not prevent infection, it still reduces the severity when you do get it.

Just something that's occurred to me... I was figuring that the Auction can probably be covered in one or two posts.

That is, unless someone has another idea for it. It's not about whether complications can arise, it's about whether we want to bother with any. Or is it just time to move on?

You could have us meet back on the ship after the auction and summarize what happened.

Nate's intent was to be present for the auction, in case his knowledge of local people could improve the outcome, then take a trip home to finish closing down his home. If he can 'scavenge' an unsold item for his buddy that initially pointed out the auction to him, he'll use that as a thank you before returning to the ship.

As Sharik's (sort of) thought stream shows, most of this can safely continue in J-Space. Unless the shopping should be done before leaving, to have the right tools. Part of what Nate's posts have been about. Can't arrange to get a tool now for something he does not know about until in j-space. Now that someone has mentioned the bot in his presence, he can see about appropriate tools fitting his skill set.

@StarMaster, from the other thread, I still do not have good numbers about what resources of his own Nate has immediately available, related to the renovations and remortgaging of the lab ship.

Who will be doing the gavelling at this auction?

Is Indy volunteering?  Does she have auctioneer experience?

In reply to Sharik Kaagira (msg # 150):

Yes and no.

Since the sale isn't being done at an auction house, there's no professional auctioneer available at the Lodge. Hiring one from outside might cause legal issues.

So, the logical choice is probably Tescha, but Nat could also do it if he wants. Or Indy.

Without a specific Auctioneer skill or profession, what skills would be useful in the roll? And what related attribute? I see several that could be beneficial.

Science, Archaeology: for subject matter knowledge
Advocate: for oratory and public speaking
Broker: as a form of negotiating deals
Carouse: social awareness
Deception: convince audience the value is higher than they initially thought
Diplomat: another aspect for negotiating
Persuade: another path to getting higher bids
Jack-of-All-Trades: direct substitute for Auctioneering
Streetwise: reading the audience
Recon: reading the audience

The attribute could be INT, EDU, SOC depending on the skill. Even END to keep up the pace, and outlast them.

Is local knowledge a benefit? Nate spotted one very rich 'mark' in the audience. But does that translate to anything useful while 'holding the hammer'? Nate and Tescha have the 'experience' with the would be bribers, if that knowledge is of any use.

If Nate is not the auctioneer, he is contemplating approaching Mr. Camarda, to see about starting a conversation. Nothing ventured, …

I have a feeling that most of those might be useful if we were bidding in the auction, not running it.  I might go with Broker or Economics. Another option might be for sealed bid auction for the 1+ Mcr items.

Sure, while all of those could be useful, it depends no the nature of the 'auction'. In this case, it wasn't meant to be any kind of formal auction because otherwise you would have bit the bullet and gone with an auction house.

Most logical skill would be Advocate for the public speaking part, but Jack as a substitute for actual auctioneering skill would work, too.

SOC would be the most useful characteristic, followed by EDU (i.e. knowing what you're doing).

In Nat's case, he would probably invoke all of those skills because 'informal' doesn't seem to be in his vocabulary. He's a 'serious' Scholar.

Aren't the main skills just talking quickly and seeing who has raised their hand?

Talking up each item, to promote all of the features is also part of it. Reading the audience to know when enough description is enough. Identifying the most interested parties, and adjusting the spiel to match their (expected) interests. Prompting a hesitant bidder to put in the next counter bid. Social skills to help keep the audience comfortable. Carouse so the audience is enjoying themselves (while spending money).

Nate has some of those (technical) skills, but not so much the social side. Potentially, someone with Indie or Sharik's skills could get the crowd 'excited', where they would spend more than planned. Which is why I asked which were important from StarMaster's perspective. Or more accurately, what the Longshot crew characters think is important.

<grin>Not "always". He does PUNishment too :)

But since no other input, Nat will be the one starting things off. Someone else can take over part way through, if that seems useful.

Have Sir Walter in for the last part of the auction, since by then most of the bidders will be well off. Diplomacy, Persuade and Steward should help read the crowd, and a heavy dose of broker to seal the deal.

Did we happen to scan all of the pages of the personal journal (item 33) for later perusal?  Just asking ... not that Shar is a voyeur or anything.

Checking in

Well, I’m again checking in. Embarrassing question, can anyone actually remembered what was I supposed to be doing around the ship? I guess by now I’ll be left with doing whatever nobody else wants to do. Toilet system maintenance for example.

In reply to Dieter Lumper (msg # 163):

Plunger Operator?

I would prefer Plunger Technician.

In reply to Dieter Lumper (msg # 165):

Executive Plunger Operations Manager, actually...

Or would that be Senior Plunger Operations Section Chief, on a starship...?

^_^

In reply to Vonon Ronkunu (msg # 166):

Excellent. I got promoted even before I (re)started. I would aks for an office, but I can guess what office I will be given.

In reply to Dieter Lumper (msg # 167):

Yup ... that tiny office just aft of the Radioactive Deuterium Recycler...

I thought Dieter was some kind of Bodyguard?

It's looking like we might have a small Crew Position "adjustment" coming up...

I believe Khea is looking to leave us, and I can't think of any way -- short of bloodshed -- to prevent Sylvester from being promoted to Chief Engineer ... so ... his old job of Chief Telephone Receiver Cleaner might come open ... if you have any appropriate skills, there.

I guess it's like the question we used to ask this Junior Marketing Exec, at a TV station where I once worked -- "Just what is it that you do, around here...?"

I think we have clearly established that, as an Executive Plunger Operations Manager I do have the necessary skill set to be a Chief Telephone Receiver Cleaner. That is, cleaning the mess other people leave behind them.

Looking at my char sheet, he was obviously experienced in being a 'crew member' but, a more detailed look at skills, show that his forte are:
Astrogation 1
Electronics:
Computers 1
Sensors 1
Mechanic 1
Pilot:
Spacecraft 1

In short, anything electronic inside a ship.

Hmmm, I don't see Dieter in the UPPs thread. He's a ghost. Or using good enough tech to be invisible.

Yikes! Fall asleep for 5 minutes and a bazillion posts pop up!

Okay, so let's see what we got here...

Yes, the journal was scanned for future reference. Sharik even examined it for secret writing, hidden messages, and other clandestine conditions. Nada. It was just a journal.


Dieter had to bow out before I got around to adding him to the UPP thread.

He was officially hired as the Drone Operator. The Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Administrator for Administrative Assistance.

Originally assigned to Stateroom 10.10, he was shifted to 10.4 when Sly and Val decided to shack up and wanted a larger space, so they got the double occupancy 10.10.


As for Dieter...

Option 1: he's been in sickbay in quarantine for the past week (Invermory to Duncinae).

Option 2: he had some last minute business to take care of on Invermory and said he'd catch up with you on Duncinae. He just arrived on a tramp freighter.

Option 3: Dunno. Something someone else can think of?

Prob 1, which also gives me a starting point. He prob got something in all of those sewage works.

an alien parasite! ;-)

Na. All I had was a slight pounding inside my chest. I'm certain it will come out to nothing.

In reply to Dieter Lumper (msg # 175):

Zing!  The much-feared Double-double-entendre, Ladies and Gentlemen!  Give the man a hand!


Oh, Dear God!  I didn't mean to toss up real hands...!  Ewwwwww...

Let me give you a hand cleaning that.

Lend me your ears!

Not sure that I should, but I am keeping an eye (thankfully not my own) on you maniacs...

If you want to get a head, call Madame Tussauds.

I will be on holiday from 13-19 September.

@vonon, Not interested in a billionaire patron? Or just not interested in Research Facilities?

In reply to Nathaniel Harken (msg # 182):

     Didn't say not interested ... just low interest ... at the moment

---

Okay, at this moment I am honestly confused...

I don't remember, at any time, when we -- Longshot's Crew -- ever discussed specifically not calling the "facility" we found a "research" station.  As I recall, Vonon always called it either "outpost" or "base".

I also recall Vonon telling everyone to turn on their comms (which have cameras, just like cellphones) and telling everyone to "just record everything".  Thus, because there were several "labs" in the building, we would have recorded images of them.

And again, I just don't remember any discussion about editing out any/all mention of the "labs" or "lab equipment".  I'm not saying we didn't do that; I just don't remember discussing that.  Nate, you can call the place a "research station" all the way to Capital, for all Vonon cares.  Call it a Burger Joint -- Vonon. Don't. Care.

And Vonon initially cut you off from access because something you said to him set off some alarms (and NO, I'm not going to say what that was ^_^ yet...)

But I do recall that we "edited" together a presentation video, which we used for advertising the auction back on Invermory -- and probably recycled for use here on Duncinae.  But that was a Marketing Tool -- and I can't imagine why we wouldn't show scenes of offices and labs in that.

I swear upon the Legal Code of Cassandra's Belt that we edited neither the vid-records, nor our written reports, in any way in some effort to "hide" that the place we found was a "research facility" -- but I also don't think that we played up that fact, either.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:57, Fri 09 Sept 2022.

In reply to Vonon Ronkunu (msg # 183):

That is about what I (player) expected. The problem came up because



And the place that I knew that Nate knew that the salvage was from a research facility was those recordings that Vonon denied Nate access too … after he had already viewed them, and created a 'crime scene model' from them. Nothing I see (and apparently Starmaster) in the later posts show anything about that detail being included in the published, for the auction, materials. Nothing in the current auction catalogue says 'lab equipment'.

So Nate does not know what Longshot's intent was. Just that he has information from a source that is 'secret' to the Longshot after Vonon's refusal to allow that data to be used.

EDIT: Perhaps the assumption (StarMaster) is that the recycled promotional material only showed the rooms the current furniture came from, which would have been the common or office areas. If nothing being sold here came from a lab (or only an item or two), that visual promotion might not show labs.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:45, Fri 09 Sept 2022.

     Y'know why a bottle of OTC amphetamines is here, up for auction (all other similar items having already sold back on Invermory)?
     And no, we're pretty sure that no Pharmaceutical Rep is gonna buy them for his Company...
     It's because that bottle filled with 800+ year-old pills-of-death has a colorful label pasted on it, which is covered with delightful Iltharan printing -- which, when you put it up on a display shelf, is eye-catchingly pretty.  People will notice it, and ask the owner "what is this?", and then the snobbish owner will get to brag about it being an authentic Iltharan object that's original to the Iltharan War era, yadda-yadda-yadda...
     Now, y'know why there is not a rack of test tubes, or pipettes, or Erlenmeyer flasks, or any other "laboratory glassware" here at auction?
     Because none of that stuff has pretty colored, printed labels covered in Iltharan printing on them.  In fact, since Iltharan Tech is based on Reaver Tech (2nd Empire Tech), those items may even be marked in Metric gradations.  Maybe there is a tiny makers mark, somewhere on any of those items -- but nothing that would be called "eye-catching".
     The primary value about any and all of this Crap we are auctioning off, here, is that all of it is clearly (or easily) identifiable as being of Iltharan origin!
     Incredibly generic-looking lab glassware -- which has the tiniest makers mark ever, if it has one at all -- is not "easy" to identify as being of Iltharan origin.
     An office chair -- which is identical to hundreds of styles of office chair, anywhere in the galaxy -- can be flipped over, showing the manufacturer's name, (maybe) an address, and a whole bunch of confusing numbers, all of it in large Iltharan printing.
     Thousand-year-old test tubes are worthless.  Thousand-year-old coffee cups with Iltharan printing on them, are worth thousands.  That is why we did not bring home any "lab glassware".  Not because we're hiding that the facility was a "research" operation.
     But all of the stuff we did bring back is Crap!!!

     Like StarMaster said, it's all Tchotchkes -- knick-knacks, bric-a-brak, dust collectors -- y'know, Crap.  It's like an African Tribal Mask hanging on the wall of a Suburban detached home, with garage....
     And the people who are our target audience are the kind of status-seeking, self-absorbed Snobs who "get off" on the Bragging Rights of owning Authentic Iltharan "Artifacts".  As far as any "historical" value (i.e., does this stuff belong in a museum?) it's all "pottery shard" class "artifacts", as far as a museum is concerned.
     That's right.  Even the "technological" items.  That Bio-Sensor Glove?  Reese has at least 3 devices in Sick Bay that can do everything that that Glove does!  They just aren't in the form of a cool-looking Glove.
     Probably the only thing with any real "historical value" might be that Journal -- so, no surprise that there's a Billionaire in the room, looking to aquire it...

---

Moving on...




     Pablo makes 2 points here, he's confirmed that an order was given for everyone to record everything.  While in the course of gameplay, maybe not everyone confirmed that they were actually doing this, Vonon and Pablo, at least, did assume that everyone was "recording".
     The second point Pablo makes/confirms is that we had a well-connected PARTNER back on Invermory--and an agreement for sharing of "profits" from the sale of any "recovered artifacts" with said Partner.




     Again, more confirmation that we were recording & taking notes on EVERYTHING.



     At that time, and even now, I took Vonon's comment, abouve, to boil down to "Do Whatever the XenoArchaeologist says to do!"  So, to beat a dead horse, EVERYTHING WAS RECORDED!

     Now, before I go on to make MY point, I wish to remind everyone about three very important letters -- O.O.C.
     Everything I am about to talk about is Out Of Character -- so, if any of this ends up being spoken about In Character, I swear I will hunt you down where you live, and beat you mercilessly with a Peacock Feather!!

     So.  Yes, we recorded EVERYTHING ... we then DID heavily EDIT EVERYTHING!!!
     ^_^

     First and foremost we edited out any visual reference to the TAMI system -- we erased or altered any video showing her equipment, as well as video of anyone talking to/about a "Tammy", and erased all record where there was comm-chatter of "Tammy" talking with anyone.  There should have been very little record of us moving TAMI equipment onto Longshot, but even that would have been scrubbed.

     I'll point out, here, that all this "editing" and "scrubbing" is being done by a Crew which includes a couple of folks with Agent backgrounds, a couple folks with fairly decent Electronics(computer) skill levels, a couple folks with Law Enforcement backgrounds, and an Imperial Noble (who have reputations for being excellent Advocates and Administrators).
     In addition, this crew was aided by a shipboard computer that's more sophisticated than it should be (that's Longshot's computer, folks!) as well as the assistance of a Digital Personality (I dislike the term AI--there is nothing artificial about Tammy's Intelligence).

     So, Nate, you're gonna have to forgive me if I have more confidence in that Crew's ability to hide data, than in your ability to find that hidden data.  There should be absolutely NO evidence or reference to TAMI or a "Tammy" in any of the data from Coventry.
     There is a reference in Longshot's logs of a "Tammy" coming aboard on Invermory -- but she is listed as neither Crew or Passenger, but simply as "Resident" -- and a couple of Vonon's Log Entries referring to a "Tammy" as being Sir Walter's concubine....

     We did this...probably completely un-ethical...activity because we didn't trust our Partner not to try and take the TAMI system completely for himself and leave us out in the cold I mean, because we were treating Tammy as an individual, and we knew our Partner would treat her as a Thing.  We had let Tammy join the Crew, so we had to protect her.  Yeah ... that's what we were doing...

     Next point.  I/Vonon was wrong.  We did know that the facility was a research lab from very early on.  Tammy told Jack, who told all of us...



     There were 16 individual laboratories working in one way or another on pharmaceuticals -- i.e., mostly chemicals -- and several of us spent time walking around in each one of them, all of us recording as we did so!
     It would have been a massive job to erase all references to the labs!  Much longer than the couple weeks we had to do all this!

     So we tried anyway.

     Actually, what we did was erase any reference to "psi drugs" or "psionics" at all.

     We brought back petabytes of data on the pharma research.  Our Partner on Invermory was an Industrialist.  We made known to him all that data.  Some he was interested in some he wasn't.  Some of this stuff we sold off, some of it we made deals with to have tested & manufactured by existent Phara-Companies -- Investments which won't pay off for a while, yet.

     Remember, our little group, here, is actually TWO companies -- Longshot Enterprises & Longshot Interstellar Transport.  Enterprises is an investment and trading company and is Sir Walter's baby, while Interstellar Transport is the actual operation of IAM Longshot, contracting on dozens of different services (trading, cargo hauling, mercenary work, scouting & exploration -- y'know, "adventuring") which is Vonon's gig ... with supervisory approval from the Board of Directors of Longshot Enterprises (Sir Walter) 'cuz, y'know, they own<?i> the ship...

     Anyway...

     Yes, we did keep some of the "finds" at the Coventry Iltharan Research Facility a secret.  Anything to do with TAMI we erased (but kept copies for ourselves).  Anything to do with <i>any Psi research going on there we erased (but kept copies for ourselves--we even made a quiet deal with a Psi Institute to test & produce the psi-drugs.  Not because we want to aid Psionics, but purely for the Money!!)
     We took extensive readings and measurements of the facility's unique Power Plant -- including pulling the control crystals from the power plant before we left (don't worry, we shut it all down before we did).  And all that data we gave to our Industrialist Partner (after fair payment).  Within the decade, I'm guessing he'll be installing those generators all across the Confederacy, initiating a significant upswing in the Confederacy's economy.

     So, Nate can suspect that we're hiding info -- I'm certainly playing Vonon as if he's starting to have problems remembering all the cover stories ^_^ -- but my belief is that we've "covered our tracks" well enough that whatever Nate may "suspect", it probably didn't come from anything we "hid" about our reports.

     Although, to be fair, I had forgotten that the journal mentioned other facilities.  When Nate mentioned that, I freaked 'cuz TAMI told us about other facilities, when we were on Coventry, and as I just explained, anything to do with TAMI should have been erased.

     Speaking of the journal mentioning other facilities ... hey StarMaster!  Does the Journal mention "Project: Recourse"?

Damn, I actually read all that! Sylvester talks and works with TAMI everyday he can. Computer 3 TL16! Working to improve it.

TLDR theres a lot to remember, and when we ... bend the truth ... its harder to remember who knows what and what the truth is... ; )

go, V!

Vonnon, the current issue is not if or what you hid or how well. The issues is that Nate has seen the result of that recording and editing, which still included enough for Nate to say 'labs'. Then you told him that access was denied to that data. So Nate knows research facility, and nothing public he has seen says research facility, and Camarda, and StarMaster, have indicated that nothing in the promotional material indicated labs / research Facility (to Camarda).

1. Nate knows it was a research facility, Camarda does not.
   
2. It was Camarda that mentioned other research facilities to Nate.
   
3. Nate may or may not have noticed the 'other facilities' reference in the journal, but he did see enough (especially having seen the doctored recordings) to say 'research facility'.
   
4. Nate is not 'allowed' to use the data that told him it was a research facility.
   
5. Nate is asking Vonnon (and others) if they intended to hide that it was a research facility (from the potential buyers)

Simple yes or no question, and nothing to do with what ELSE might have been hidden or how well.

As indicated, there have been enough clues and discrepancies for Nate to be pretty sure SOMETHING is being hidden (kept secret), and to suspect some of what it is. Even if his suspicions are off the mark. Vonnon's confusion, over reaction to what should be (to Nate) a simple question, is just going to confirm that there is more (potentially a lot more) being covered up.

With all of that skill editing the recordings, I have an idea from Nate's Archaeology background that might be able to recover the erased audio, if video exists for the same time period. Whether it works or not depends on the frame rate and resolution of the video. There is a good current technology story to go with that.

If Tammy was supposed to be a concubine, someone was being a 'prude' in trying to pass her off as Veronika. Just one of those discrepancies. I did not notice the section where TAMI/Tammy was shown as a Longshot Resident. If that was the case, and that hologram she uses is 'realistic', there should have been no need to try to explain away glimpses of her, or to react so strongly when she walked down the hallway behind Nate.

If Nate ever finds out about the PSI drugs, he will be interested because of his background, separate from the money. It even fits with an item in his backstory, and will bring speculation that someone else knew about those (types of) drugs, and they were heavily anti-psi, and wanting full control over psionic abilities.

I spent all day yesterday (Friday) reading over the Coventry thread again because I didn't remember every little detail after a year or more.

Before entering the facility, everyone was told to record everything. Since no one said they weren't going to do that, then that's what they did.

The first thing Sylvester did when he entered the facility is become a kleptomaniac! He started pocketing everything he could pick up. This was in the first lab. He soon realized that he didn't nearly have enough pockets to haul almost 200 pieces of glassware out of each of the 16 labs. Eventually, he just left it all behind when he realized that it wasn't particularly valuable nor did he or anyone else have the 50 or so boxes to pack it all up.

So that's why there's no mention of lab glassware in the auction inventory. It was never 'pre-salvaged'.


No one was pretending that there weren't labs there, but it was never made clear that these were RESEARCH labs. Probably they were, but there was nothing left to clearly say that.

The term 'research' was used more as a default, but probably used as often as outpost or base.

If anyone is saying it wasn't a 'research' facility it's only because there was no way to confirm it.




Not everyone was privy to the command decisions, so not everyone knew that Nate wasn't supposed to know certain things. Not sure everyone even knew (or thought) that Nate would be joining the crew. He may have had a brief access to the edited recordings, but that doesn't mean he had total access to the ship's main computer.

He can't recover the 'erased' audio because it was never 'erased', as Vonon put it. All the recordings were edited in the main computer into a secondary file, and then that file was downloaded into a flashdrive. Whatever is on the flashdrive is what was made 'public' as far as provenance on the Iltharan relics.

Was everything shown on them? No. Someone walking down a hallway wasn't considered to be relevant or significant, so it wasn't included.

Having read through the journal, Nate would in fact know that drugs had been researched here, including Psi drugs. There was nothing in the recordings that indicated any drugs were found nor any formulas. Nor was there any indication that any of the research had been successful.

Additionally, the part of the journal that mentioned the type of drugs that were being researched was not made public. Whoever buys the journal will find that out, but it won't really be of any significance.

Just because Nate thinks there are gaps and missing data doesn't mean he's right.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:18, Sun 11 Sept 2022.

Whatever Nate knows, or thinks he knows, one 'fact' should be that nothing in the published information that Camarda has seen leads him to believe the items being auctioned were from a research facility.

Not quite a fact is that Nate has no source of information that says research facility, other than what he believes to be covered by 'access denied'.

Which resulted in Nate asking if it is was really the Longshot intent to hide that information. In his more long winded style.

Hints and odd things have been dropped in front of Nate regularly. Is he supposed to just ignore them? When he has Investigate skill, and a Scientist background that is all about solving puzzles and getting answers from limited, likely contradictory data?

As the player, I know more about past events than Nate does, but I still need to interpret that thread knowledge when posting as Nate. So I knew about the original records and editing to remove references to certain items. I remember one case of Vonnon "yelling" at everyone to stop saying psionic (or was it telepathy). So I expected those scenes to be edited to remove the sound. Not necessarily 'erased'. Also, that there were enough such cases that Nate would notice in the final processed for public consumption recording that he saw.

The concept I had in mind to recover the sound had nothing to do with restoring (undeleting) the original sound. It was based strictly on the video content. If the technology is good enough, you can 'see' the effects of sound in the vibration of objects. High enough resolution and video frame rate (Nate would say temporal and spacial resolution) would allow 'seeing' sounds with frequencies up to about half the frame rate to be extracted from the video. Converting that back to audio is trivial. Same general concept as a laser microphone using non-specialized equipment. See
https://tenser.typepad.com/ten...pottery_recordi.html
for an article about getting sound out of ancient pottery and other things. Some of that is referencing 'joke' articles, but others seem to be more legitimate. If you have good enough video, you do not need the mechanical pickups used in the article. For the article, computer processed still images would be enough.

As I said, Nate (at least momentarily) had access to the journal itself and probably a copy of the pages, so he knows that the person who wrote the journal knows that she thought of the facility as a research lab. Even that they were researching psionic drugs.

Any 'sound bite' that would have been edited out has the entire SCENE edited out. There were a lot of comms dialog conducted that there would have been no reason to include in any provenance videos. Same for just normal conversations.

While nothing in the 'official' press probably ever called the facility a 'research lab', the videos of the labs themselves would have easily evoked that image. The other two options would have been Test Lab or Production Lab, neither of which are justified by the location and images.

That a lot of material was clearly edited out, there still isn't any reason to think that it was significant. As I said, mundane conversations (such as the part about hooking up the generator) wouldn't have been included in any public disclosures as it just wasn't relevant.

Just as another point of information, everyone's comm signal (images and audio) was recorded in the ship's computer in an individual file/track, so it wasn't all smushed together.

While there may be oddities about things that Nate thinks were discrepancies, it doesn't mean that they were significant or had anything to do with the Iltharan site or relics.

When I said that Nate put 2 and 2 together and got 6, I was referring to the missing +2 as things he didn't know but had a reasonable expectation of being able to extrapolate.

Given everything else Nate knows, Vonon's paranoia about anyone using the terms 'telepathy' or 'psionics' isn't really significant either. If that was from the site, then Nate's never seen/heard that part of the recording.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 191):

Oh CRAP!  Nate already knew about the Psionics -- Vonon's busted!

Dammit, Tescha, you read the journal -- I think -- why didn't ya warn me that it mentioned the Psionics!

Tescha loses his Dom Pérignon and Ossetra caviar privileges for two weeks!  Captain's Order!  Just see how long you can survive, Tescha, on Korbel Blanc de Noirs champagne and Kaluga caviar -- from Singapore!  Ha!  That's learn ya ta keep the Captain in the loop!


(huh, wuzzat?  California champagne is actually very good ... and some of them can legally call themselves Champagne ... since 2005, huh? ... and Singapore farms some of the best Kaluga in the world ... better than Beluga, some say ... c'mere, you -- let's go stand near this airlock, while I ponder what ya just said ...)

In reply to Vonon Ronkunu (msg # 192):

heh-heh...

Actually, I recall the conversation that Nate is (probably) referring to, where "Telepathy" was "talked" about....

Serge had finally caught on to all the insinuated talk-around about both "Tammy" and that she was "Telepathic" -- and he came right out and said something like "...I've been talking to Tammy with Telepathy?..." or something close to that.  He said this in front of a handful of us, all whom were "recording".

And Vonon suddenly went into Panic Mode, accusing Serge of "screwing around" that "everbody was talking on comms!  Everybody!" Really bad "covers" like that.

It was a truly pathetic scene.  I'm quite proud of myself for it...

At the time, Vonon (Me) hadn't thought about expunging all reference to TAMI or Psionics.

^_^

And every moment, I am snickering that I stuck the job of Captain on you. jk!

The hard part given that this game has been going on for over 8 years now is keeping track of things. But for the new members, even those from the last 4 years, Vonon, Sharik, Samantha, soon to depart Kheaiftouaw, and Sir Walter are thick as thieves, having been together since the beginning.

Looks like I need a few more words here, despite the usual verbose nature of my posts.

For the video data, it was more than momentarily. Nate had time to process it to generate a 'crime scene' model of the facility from the video. That was done, and demonstrated, before talking to Vonnon and getting denied access.

If the complete scene was clipped, then sure, no source to extract the sound from. Though Nate could find it 'odd' that the same timestamp range(s) were excluded from every source feed. Several of those likely immediately after something 'new' was found, because of the questions and answers bouncing around right after that. Significant? No. There is enough continuity for provenance, just 'odd'. That crime scene model would have made the concurrent 'clipping' obvious when advancing through it in time sequence. Just about the first thing Nate did after creating it, as a test that it was functional.

That is what I am basing the conclusion on as well.

That paranoia has not been in any of the backstory between Vonnon and Nathaniel. I mentioned it as an example where the 'archaeology' of the video might recover the sound. Shouting would be easier to detect. I have been assuming it is based on his law enforcement background, and psionics being so illegal. He should have known about Nate's Psionicology background, and possibly actively avoided the subject.

You can relax (a little). Nate does not know about TAMI yet. His current working theory is that Tammy is the voice activation command to access the Longshot main computer system, and that is AI level or close to it. Nothing there about a telepathic computer from the Coventry salvage. Though, with his sudden 'insight' «2 + 2 = 6», he is very suspicious of the claim that Jack was using 'high tech' to detect the scanning. Or he is, if StarMaster includes that Jack is probably a Psion in that '6'. As noted, Nate has browsed (not read everything in) the journal, so is aware of PSI drugs in the descriptions. Definitely something on his list to have a closer look at when things slow down a little. Also, that is a likely contributor to getting to '6'.

So far, the IG posts have been focusing on what Nate knows, thinks he knows, about what happened or has been hidden. Is everyone ignoring the the 'minor detail' that Jack detected psionic activity at the auction? See about bringing that back into focus with the pending IG post. Throwing in a bit of paranoia with that, since if fits with, and explains a bunch of the other pieces about the discrepancies between LongShot expectations and Nate's evidence of what Camarada knows.

The Paranoia Vonon has about Telepathy, and Psionics in general, doesn't really have anything to do with the specific background between Vonon and Nate -- it's just a Vonon Thing ^_^

I'd decided a while back (when the possibility of a Psionic PC joining the group first came up) that Vonon's attitude towards Psionics was a reflection of the Rock-Hopper Culture of Cassandra's Belt -- Live & Let Live; Don't Ask, Don't Tell; and If it Works, Use It, if it Don't Work, get Rid of It.

When he was told about Jack, Vonon didn't have a personal problem with it, but he Ordered Jack to "don't be obvious".  Vonon's "paranoia" is really about "those people" finding out about someone with those abilities, and then "those people" freak-out and start hanging innocent folks and burning down cities...
     'Cuz, y'know, you Humans are completely Whack!!  ^_^

Y'know, it occurs to me that there might be an "anomaly" in all this that we've may have overlooked.  With Nate having knowledge that Psionic research may have been pursued at the facility ... added to his suspicions about Jack and his "hand scanner" ... it could be that we missed something in the editing -- that it was Jack who opened the door into the facility ... by resting his head against it

Something like Nate's attitude, with an an added If it works, what else can it do? and a curiosity about why when it works, everyone is so against it? His conclusion (with research) on that last is that "the powers that be" are scared of it, and have run massive campaigns to ensure that is the general public attitude as well. Scare tactics.

Nate's other main science skill is Sophontology, so not going to get any argument about that :)


I wish *I* could see what StarMaster is letting Nate see of those recordings :)

Does your head hurt trying to parse that?

My assumption has been that that would be edited out along with other references to psionics. It is too unusually to have the door unlock just then to be safe to leave in. Especially when references to TAMI and an active system answering the doorbell were being removed. I expected that to be one of the 'odd' cases that Nate would spot. Other deleted pieces might be uninteresting trivia, but opening the sealed door seems like something the intended audience would like to see. The best explanation Nate has, prior to Psionics, is the use of some proprietor technology that Longshot does not want to share. Which just goes back to his 'suspicions' that things are being hidden. The time gap would not be long, so it was not that people were trying 100 different irrelevant things before something happened work.

Sylvester interpreted Jack's success at opening the door with a face plant as some sort of biometric lock that did a retinal scan.

Actually, it's probably Nate who's paranoid--he keeps thinking everything is 'hidden'... just because he's not privy to all of the Long Shot's confidential information.

As for what Nate did manage to see in the videos, that was a rabbit hole you jumped down... and now you're expecting everyone else to jump in after you!

That works, as long as you have a fully functional facility, that somehow recognizes Jack's retinal scan as a valid user from it's 800 year old data. Make that an Iltharan user. Unless you want to say that any retinal scan would have opened it.


Not going to deny some paranoia, and not saying that things being hidden is unexpected. Everybody has some secrets. Nate just wants/likes to spot them, and tease out what meaning he can. Working with 'science' is working with the 'secrets of the universe'. Unravelling those secrets is his 'job'. And he enjoys his work.


Which rabbit hole would that be? deliberately removed content from the recordings? A purple haired woman that is attempted to be explained as Veronika changing hair color? Differences between what Longshot people 'know' was in the recordings, and what Camarda knew of the item history? The 'scanning' that Jack did and detected? A ships computer that is to be used to 'examine' technology?

None of that is 'paranoia'. It is observation. Nate is not claiming, never did claim, that it was a conspiracy against him. Just noting things that it appears that Longshot does not want 'outsiders' to know about. Nate knows he is still an outsider here. That does not stop him from observing and wondering about the edges of things he can see. And teasing/tricking answers when he can, or bringing up related pieces that seem relevant. Like why some high tech scanning (really?) of a couple of items at the auction? What is the agenda of person (or group) doing that? I **assume** you threw that into the scene, so it could have some relevance. Could be total red herring, but it was convenient for Nate to use as an explanation for the information differences seen. Longshot crew saying the labs were in the published promotional videos and Carmada not knowing about that seems like a big flag that **something** is going on.

Unless you want to back that thread up to the point where Camarda 'jumped' at Nate for saying the Longshot find was proof of the rumours, and take a different path there.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:23, Mon 12 Sept 2022.

In reply to Nathaniel Harken (msg # 200):

Heeeeey ... that's a good point, Nate.  We could edit the opening of the door to show Sam spending the several minutes she spent using a variety of tools to ultimately (not) open the door -- then cut to all of us stepping back as the big door opened.  We completely cut out Jack putting his face against the wall, and the door then opening ('cuz he "talked" to it...)

Nate can wonder about that all he wants. No one ever said they understood how that worked.



You mean things like the ship's security codes? Sure, why not just broadcast them to all the pirates in the sector!

Again with the 'hidden'. I didn't tell you I have a toothbrush in the bathroom--does that mean it's HIDDEN?



The rabbit hole is the provenance videos. They exist. They have all relevant recordings of the investigation of the Iltharan ruins. You're the one that keeps saying there are things there or aren't there when the rest of us don't give a damn about that level of nitpicking detail.

It was done. That's all that was needed to be said for the game to move on.

Yes, I'd like to be able to claim to be such a genius writer than every word I write, every comma I used, every paragraph I indent has some significance that'll show up 17 years from now when you least expect it. I can't say that I CAN'T write red herrings, but stop assuming that everything written has some deeper meeting! Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.



You keep misreading posts, misinterpreting posts, and (inadvertantly, I presume) metagaming--mixing up what YOU know with what YOUR CHARACTER knows.

Time to give it a rest and move on!

Seem to have made a good profit in any event.

OOC1: Hey Nate -- I/Vonon still maintain that that is Chump-Change, compared to some of our other exploits ^_^

OOC2: After a successful Auction, Vonon believes a celebration is called for.  So, after the auction, he leads an excursion of ribald frivolity through the night clubs of the Duncinaean Capital.  During the fun, Vonon will drop the bomb that he wants to hold a Crew Meeting aboard Longshot in the morning ... after Brunch.

OOC3: It was agreed a few days prior, at the Dinner Meeting at the TAS Hotel, that Nate would be allowed to "join the Crew", at least as far as planet Concorde.  Therefore, Nate, after the post-auction celebrations, there is a berth ready for you aboard Longshot ... we just gotta figure out in exactly which stateroom that will be...

OOC4: If anyone want to add to this agenda, speak up -- 'cuz I'm gonna start the Crew Meeting in my next post...

OOC 1 Yep, getting the Longshot to start.

OOC 2 This will be amusing. More so if it happens to be in the area the two mutts happen to hang out. :)

OOC 3 Kheaiftouaw's room is available as far as I can tell as the player has not logged on in months.

OOC 4 Insert my usual sales pitch to new crew members.

Whats on the agenda so far? I don't think Sams got anything to add, assuming investigating her "revelations" are on the agenda already

Sure, but being new, and freshly mustered out, it looks bigger to Nate :) He does not have that history of 'exploits'

With Val's post, I need to make a couple of assumptions, and there needs to be filler post or 2 before that, I'll try to leave it open, so that StarMaster can fill in what he wants. Nate needs to bow out of the celebrations early. He needs to catch a flight (jumper) 'home', to finish shutting down the old residence, collect remaining gear, and get back for the after brunch meeting.

EDIT: It's been a busy week here.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:11, Sat 17 Sept 2022.

The only other thing on Sharik and Indy's agenda (besides crew meeting and auction celebration) is dealing with the two vargr,  Depending on interest/timing (or lack thereof), both the celebrations/post-sale gathering and playing vargr barber can both be RP'ed or summarized/glossed over as needed (at least from Shar's player's perspective).

In reply to Sharik Kaagira (msg # 209):

Yup.  Vonon just has a few "Ship Issues" to run past the Crew, and then we settle down to plan "Operation: Buzz Cut"  ^_^

Hopefully only after that promised celebration.

In reply to Dieter Lumper (msg # 211):

Dieter!!

There he is!  Yeah, that is what I'd said -- we'll go out to celebrate and have a good time.  But ... if everyone wanted to skip past it, we could jump ahead to the starting of the Crew Meeting.  But if anyone really wanted to RP their celebratory events, they could do so...
(Do Not even suggest what you're thinking, right now, Sylvester!!  Let's keep things PG-13!  Sheesh!  What a lust-obsessed old man...! ^_^)

     Oh Crap!!!  Looks like Nate is about to figure out that it's Valeska who's our other Secret Telepath!

     Grab whatever you can, folks, and run for the hills!!

     ^_^


     Of course I'm kidding ... I think ... probably ... maybe...?!!

In reply to Vonon Ronkunu (msg # 212):

'And it all ended in a stupor of booze and blackjack.'

There, party sorted.

;-) If she was a telepath, she should have been able to get the information directly from Mr. Camarda, instead of asking Nate. That was more along the lines of maybe someone other than Nate is doing a bit of metagaming.

Of course planting a bug on Sir Walter would cover the situation as well 8-))

Unless Val is not really testing herself or asking about Mr. Camarda.  But that is just idle speculation and Sharik (and her player) knows nothing about such meta-gamey subjects.

But this is how rumors get started; and that Sharik knows plenty about.

      add "...finally put to bed by The Police." and I'll be ecstatic!  ^_^

Yep, she was asking Nate about Mr. Camarda. So she got the prior information from someplace. And apparently she heard Nate better than Vonon did.

*shrug*  Ol' Jedi Mind trick.  Works on 'em every time...  Good Job, Val!

Sounds good to me.

Checking in.

Here but might be offline later ion the week depending on what Hurricane Ian does.

In reply to Walter Zeller (msg # 222):

Stay safe.

In reply to Sylvester Jinx (msg # 223):

Indeed, stay safe.

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.

«thumbs up»

Ian must be a politician. A blowhard.

Walter and Starmaster, take care, be safe.  Come back to us when you can.

In reply to Sharik Kaagira (msg # 227):

     Hey, Walter -- you in SWFL, too?

     Say ... if you happen to see my back porch flying past your place -- snag it for me will ya?

Hi guys take care, though I have to admit Vs post made me laugh

In reply to Samantha Kilgore (msg # 229):

You and Vince and Walter take care!

@Sharik: Do you want to do any celebrating?

Pour toi mon amour.  Toujours.

GM, how much would a presidential suite cost around here?

Doing good over here in North Central Florida. I live SW of Gainesville (Go Gators!) and other than some wind, only had to reset one clock after a power flicker.   Since I live out in the county (Levy County), There have been times with no power for a few days and up to a week due to a storm. Hope things recover quickly for you Starmaster.

Sorry, no back porch over here. Looks like we need to update the "Welcome to Florida" signs to "Welcome to the Hurricane speed bump state."

In reply to Walter Zeller (msg # 234):

I'm kinda fond of "Welcome to Florida ... America's Newest Island State", myself.

^_^

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.

Do you get used to hurricanes after a while down there?

Dunno if one can ever get used to such things...

Not sure you can get used to them as they do different things each time. FPL is attempting to move all the power lines underground now but that could take years.

SW Florida probably lost 10,000 trees this time. Uprooted them. Knocked over street signs.

We had sustained winds of 130mph for around 12 hours. That's what took out so many porches and roofs and trees and our fence (along with the driving rain).

Holy f*&^. And here I was thinking our 60mph winds were bad enough.

Converting to metric, and to Traveller, that comes out to just over 58 metres/second

Or something travelling with the wind would have moved 2510 Km in that 12 hours. Though not in a straight line.

Checking in.

Happy Halloween, Everyone!

Happy Halloween!

For those that joined later on, can you post what system you started at please?  Digging through 8 years of posts takes a while.

In reply to Walter Zeller (msg # 245):

Do you mean at what system we joined Longshot? I don't remember... It was in-between systems in my case ;) I remember only that it was at least before Cassandra belt.

In reply to Walter Zeller (msg # 245):

It was Cassandra Belt for me.

In reply to Walter Zeller (msg # 245):

ermmm... uhh... yeah. No idea.

I believe that Dieter joined the crew when we passed through Invermory the second time ( link to a message in this game ).  There were video games with Sam as I recall.

Well, as the noob, Nathaniel is easy. He joined 'here', at Duncinae.

Figures that he would arrive for the video games. After all, it's me playing him.

     Serge was discovered aboard that Alien "pyramid ship" we ran over ran into in the space between star systems.  He'd been there, like, a week before we got pulled out of Jumpspace.

     I am not 100% sure, but it was either between Outpost & Cassandra (but I'm not really "feeling" that answer) or it was after Cassandra...

     I do have a vague recollection that we brought both Serge's damaged Type-S Scout -- as well as the data concerning the alien wreck -- to a Scout Base that was within range of our patched-up J-Drive.  I just don't recall what planet the Scout Base was on.

     Heck, for all I know, it could have been a Scout facility on Outpost...


     Vonon, of course, has been aboard since planet Grendel.

The Scout facility was on Outpost. On our second visit to the system, right after the misjump.

In reply to Walter Zeller (msg # 253):

Right!  That's it!  That's when & Where Serge joined us.

Valeska joined when you got the Long Shot. She'd been on board when it was hijacked and you all rescued it.

Sams been in since the start as well. I had planned to keep track of our adventures in terms of a general log of where we have been and what happened (as trawling the threads can take time) - but to do that I need to trawl the threads...

Instead all I really have is a brief list which I keep on meaning to flesh out, and Sam might write up (with some added spice, to boost sales) as a retirement hobby

I joined in Cassandra in the Astroid Belt, didn't I? I think so, could be wrong. I'm a millionaire now!

Checking in.

All Vonon remembers is that it was in a Bar ... another TAS joint, maybe ... and that Sylvester smelled like Sunflowers, to him...

^_^

@Starmaster, what are the statues on Duncinae regarding  sovereignty and legal jurisdiction on starships, in port, in orbit, and in system (if it is any different between the three)?

Starports are nearly always considered 'extraterritoriality', meaning that the laws of the planet don't necessarily apply on the Starport. Most starports conform to the planet's laws, though.

If you commit a crime on the starport, it's usually handled by starport authority unless it's against a citizen of the planet, in which case it's usually prosecuted by local authorities.

A starship tends to be considered a 'law unto itself' while in the starport. Anything that happens ON the starship is normally dealt with be the captain/owner/crew of the starship but it can be turned over to the starport authorities in some cases.

If you commit a major crime on the planet and flee to the starport, you can still be extradited to the planetary authorities. However, they can't just barge into the starport to get you.

If you commit a major crime on the starport, you can't run to your starship and claim immunity. The starport authorities still have to obtain a warrant to enter the ship and arrest you.

A ship that's filed a flight plan and departs from the starport is considered to still be in the starport until it exceeds the jump limit. Ditto with making an exit from Jump Space at the jump limit and filing a request to land at the starport.

It gets a bit more complicated if the starship is registered TO another government, not just registered OUT of another government/planet.

It can also get tricky if you are a citizen of one planet and you are arrested on another planet for a 'crime against the government'.

In general, interlocking treaties are a thing of the past due to the time and distances involved--it's just impractical to enforce such things.

All that being said, it doesn't mean that a local government, particularly an over-exuberant individual, might not violate any of these 'agreements' whether intentionally or unintentionally. One of the truisms is 'It's easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to get permission.'

In general, if a starship violates a local law and flees, it can be banned from that starport. That means if it approaches again without having 'fixed' the problem, it ban be fired on.

The extreme case is that is POSTED--meaning it's dangerous/deadly and should be shot on sight!

If you do not like the long wordy posts, cut down on the number of times I need to do a correction followup because the meaning of what Nate said has been changed by someone responding.

Is my wording really that hard for players or characters to understand? Vonon plays misunderstanding, which can be fun, but they have been several others that needed followup expanded information to clarify the intent. So the wording gets more verbose the first time.

As keeps getting pointed out Nate does not have the history of how things got to where they are. So this is new to him, and he will be going over ground the rest of you have already covered. What do you expect? A reaction of "oh, that's old hat", is not appropriate for Nate. Yet. Until it is part of his history as well. My opinion.

In reply to Nathaniel Harken (msg # 262):

I just don't like reading realllllyyy long posts, if it is too long, I won't read it. That's all. type away, you play your character, not me, I like him.

While your long posts are great role-playing, Nate, they tend to have three 'issues'.

First of all, it's hard to read lengthy posts on the screen for some of us. Probably even harder for those using cell phones to post. Generally what that means is that the post just doesn't get read, but it also means that it becomes hard to follow.

Second, it's TMI--Too Much Information. The more you say/post, the more confusing you get. If we don't understand you the first time, trying to explain/clarify what you meant with longer, more detailed posts doesn't really help. Concise is usually better than precise.

Third, when you put up such long posts, it tends to come across as Nate thinking that if he talks loud enough and long enough he'll convince everyone he's right.


Anyway, these are just impressions, mind you, and the others may not agree, but the more you try to hammer your point home, the less likely you are to get anyone to agree (or understand).

I think, in the end, the rest of the crew don't really understand your character. So, while they are accepting Nate as a new addition to the crew, they don't really know how to deal with him yet. And, when he encounters resistance, he tries to push harder, which just means that everyone else pushes back even harder.

Another point to consider is that not all of the current crew have been around since the game started, so some of them aren't going to know the details that you want. And some that were may still not have that information--it just wasn't something they were interested in or paid attention to.

And, of course, there's a lot of 'public' information on the board that you, the Player, have read but which Nate doesn't know anything about. It's kind of the old trope: if I tell you DO NOT THINK OF ELEPHANTS, then you'll automatically think of elephants. You may know what Nate would know or not know, but you still want to pry into those corners. Some of that knowledge is bound to slip across the OOG/IG borderline.

It's like an old AD&D game I played in many, many years ago. One of the characters had claimed this vast unexplored territory as his kingdom--he had a New York and a Los Angeles with nothing in between, so in order to connect them, he wanted to build a railroad. He, the player, knew about railroads, but there really wasn't anyway his character should have. (We hadn't yet started to cross-genre adventures, such as Expedition to the Barrier Peaks.)

Yeah, I know, this is another looooong post that nobody's going to read...

The long posts for me also make it hard to keep up with the story; I try to post every two days, but sometimes the story moves too quickly for me to follow.

I did the latest IG post before reading this.

@Sylvester, thanks. I'm glad.

@Starmaster
I have never really thought about screen size limits. I seldom use a phone for Internet, since I have big monitors, easily available on my desk. Been known to open multiple windows to different sections of the thread to use for reference. For me, reading is easy.

Maybe when some obvious (to me/Nate) misunderstanding occurs, I need to take it OOG to at least find out if it was player or character not understanding. What feels like obvious context while writing may not be when reading. I try to add thought stream to point in the right direction, but that makes it even longer, and since it is still in character, might not do the job.

Third <grin>, actually sort of, though 'loud' is not part of it. I haven't been using all caps. Nate is used to arguments (not in the sense of fighting) being the effective tools for both science and advocate roles. Presenting the right 'facts' can change the minds of either the team or opposition. Plus, "If at first you don't succeed" …

For Nate, simple resistance, without any sort of somewhat logical explanation is just a challenge. He wants some sort of context on why there is resistance. Either being told, or thinking of a plausible scenario that he is willing to accept. Or having something else interesting to distract him. For awhile. You do not get far in most of Nate's skills by being passive. In some cases, that could be short cut, by providing OOG information about the game world view that I have not caught on to. Stuff that Nate should just know, but I am missing. Like some of the details about Vargr society and culture.

I read that to the end. I always do.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:44, Fri 11 Nov 2022.

In reply to Nathaniel Harken (msg # 262):

I suspect that our characters' in-game responses hurt you outside of the game. The way Starmaster explained is correct. Especially the third point. And although you say about the third point "it is not like that", but it is perceived exactly like that.

On the second Starmaster's point, I would add the following: can you imagine IRL a dialogue in which one person would speak in monologues for 5-10 minutes? And can you imagine the reaction of a group to this? Eye rolling and yawning, mostly. "Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit".

My character has his own reasons for reacting this way: Serge is a bit protective of Vonon, Nat is a newcomer, and, according to Serge, Nat behaved incorrectly (defiantly disobeyed the captain from the first minutes). My character was brought up in a military style, this is unacceptable for him. In Serge's opinion, Nat may be right in what he explains, but he is "more wrong" in how he behaves, verbose explanations cannot change that.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:44, Sat 12 Nov 2022.

For the recent round of post, a little Serge. Prior it seemed all good IG fun. Latest seemed to be going over the top. See if I can do an IG post that will help Serge character, probably others understand where Nanthaniel is coming from. This was intended IG as conversation with just Vonon, but small adjust can make it work at meeting. Probably annoy several characters more.

Point form for player information
- Vonon playing traits from Vargr culture: see his post about 'Tribes'
- Nate as Sophontologist knows (more than player) about tribes
- Those played traits hint that Vonon sees himself and Longshot as more than independent ship and captain
- Nate wants Vonon to clarify to him, which aspect of Tribe he sees as current context, and potentially tell others what that means (Nate should know that last, player doesn't).
- Nates previous interactions with Vonon were very much different 'tribe' context.
- Not mentioned, but Nate suspects Vonon of trying to create an equivalent 'family' unit to replace what happened to him

With this OOG, I can drastically shorten IG post, since Vonon character should understand without detailed explanations. Nate is not really aware of Serge's military perspective, but this should be enough for Serge to connect the dots a bit.

I tried to start that already, but it got lost in the hornets nest buzz. Vonon did not seem to even see the surrounding content.

This message was last edited by the player at 02:04, Sun 13 Nov 2022.

for 2nd point. Known problem. No good solution when trying to in a single post respond to multiple people, when 'live' it would be mixed into the conversation at different points. rPol is a good tool, but you can't insert small snippettes at the point the character would have responded. It's part of my OOG area, but I can't visualize a way to really make that work effectively. Tieing new content to the exact sentence it is related to is quite possible. Having the result understandable, and keeping the flow, not so much. Especially on phone screens. Combined with trying to talk to both player and character, with perceptions of what each understands of what the posting character understands of the context.

Re Nate's sophontology analysis: It would take longer, but it might be fun if Vonon is not conciously aware that he was done what Nate sees.

The use of quote boxes would help with making it clear who you are responding to.

@Inderpal, I often do that, but it also makes the posts longer. In recent post 721, I tried something different. The quotes were inserted as private to the character being addressed, so they were the only one that got the bigger post, and only for their section. That post had a private section with quote for each of Sylvester, Walter, and Vonon.

Like this.
Would it help to expand that to include outside of the private portion "OOC quote for Inderpal"? Just make the quotes public and accept the size increase?
This message was last edited by the player at 18:40, Sun 13 Nov 2022.

Don't worry about it, play your style, I usually read, unless you have several posts before I look again, in which case I might skip through a little! ;-) We get out of this scene I'm sure it will get better because EVERYONE is talking to you so you have to answer. When there are 3 or 4 posts you have to reply to, a lot of folks get pissed if you miss answering them. So, what are you going to do?

You mean, OTHER than answering about 10 different posts and private messages one at a time?
…

I'm flexible on the mechanics of what goes around the 'style' content. Italic Thoughts between "~", direct quotes or OOC references, tagging with "TEXT" or language. Doesn't matter to me, so whatever works best for the (consensus of the) players.

Computer screens, various editors, and sets of rules or conventions are all old friends of mine.

OOG expansion of IG response to Serge

Who is his ranking office is unimportant
The fact that he expects to have one is the general guide from Sophontology
Vonon and Sir Walter are just the mostly likely candidates
Tieing in other OOC content, Sophontolgy did not tell Nate that Serge was being protective. That is a variable below the level of 'expects to have a commanding officer'. Some military can expect and respect an officer, but hate their guts.
That level would get to at least psychology instead of sophontology, where Nate has just enough knowledge to be dangerously wrong.

Though technically, his skill would be on par with Sharik, who I expect is actually pretty good at it, mixed with carouse.

As a character - Sams issue with Nate is he lectures and talks a lot. And her memories of people who do that are usually Officers who thought it made them sound important to talk a lot. Also, the fact that he keeps placing provisos on accepting the idea of a Chain of Command, rubs her up the wrong way.

as a Player - I have never understood why people post about what their character is thinking on RPOL. In RL or SATT roleplaying I can't see your train of thought except by reading body language, your actions and what you say. I get its a narrative device but I also basically ignore that part of posts, as Sam wouldn't know it, and its easier to act like she doesn't know it if I as a player don't know it. I try and write my posts so you can work out those bits for Sam from those sorts of clues - though I don't claim to be good at it.

The nearest we get to that in games (ie what is your character thinking) is OOC chats.

That said, everyones style is different so you do yours.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:00, Mon 14 Nov 2022.

Yeah, Vonon's player and I have discussed this over the years. As you said, Sam, sitting around the gaming table where we can see and hear other is hard to translate into writing, which is why we got LOL and ROFL (though I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone ACTUALLY roll on the floor because they were laughing too hard) and similar notation, which then evolved into smilies.

Around the table, you have body language, gestures, facial expressions, and tone of voice to convey things like sarcasm and humor. If someone says something stupid, we can roll our eyes or snort to convey our opinion about what he said.

On line, you often have to describe that display even if it's only via one word, such as "he said sarcastically".

Writing thoughts is often meant to convey all that. Sherlock Holmes was notorious for being able to deduce a person's train of thought by facial expression and glances.

And you make a good point about not reading them because its something your character wouldn't know. And, yes, it's narrative meant to indicate where Nate is coming from and potentially going. Nate just goes to a bit of an extreme, though.

I suppose, in a way, it could be considered a counterpoint to one-liner posts.