This thread is for out of character discussion of Operation: Ikhawu.

Access has been granted for all four players. Please add your character information to his sheet.

MERC is unfortunately silent on character languages spoken so we'll adapt a rule from Top Secret as our house rule - if your character is Dense he can only speak his native language (Primary) fluently - an Average character can speak a Primary and one Secondary language, a Smart character has a one Primary and two Secondary languages, and a Sly character has one Primary and three Secondary languages. Please make a note of languages spoken, including which is Primary, on your character sheet.

I'm also going to set a few expectations for the game -

• The dice fall where they may. There is no 'script immunity' or 'plot armor.'
• I trust you to roll your own dice.
• To the extent the mission allows, this is a sandbox - you're presented with a situation, and where things go from there is up to you. Consequences will follow, of course.
• Posting pace is relaxed but if you're going to be out for an extended period, please let us know. I reserve the right to run your character in your (lengthy) absence to keep things moving.
• Play smart. Ask questions. Explore.
• A fair amount of this will be theatre of the mind. Don't expect a combat map for everything. Make your own sketch if you need one and, again, ask questions - I'm not out to screw you or your character.
• I labeled this campaign as 'Mature' because it involves fictional events in a real time and place where real people suffered and died, too often horribly and nonsensically. Treat the subject matter with respect.
• Racism, sexism, religious intolerance, bigotry of all sorts is a fact of life in the game-world - if it comes up, keep it in-character. Out-of-character, keep it to yourself.
• I am the final arbiter of the rules and the game-world.

I hope to have the first (Briefing) post up on Sunday, 23 July.

In reply to The Corporation (msg # 2):

Just a test post and an acknowledgement I've read the rules.

Are we using the rules from the supplement or campaign book?

In reply to The Corporation (msg # 2):

Got it. I'll try to find the character sheet area and transfer the information over to it. I'll also list languages, but can you tell me what they speak in country? Native tongue or something borrowed from a colonial power, or both?

Thanks.


Supplement 1, yes. I have the campaign book but honestly I haven't looked at it in awhile - is there a particular rule you're concerned about?


You can just cut and paste what you posted over on Pundejo's Playhouse - no need to be fancy.

There are over 1500 languages spoken in Africa - just make sure you have a lingua franca among your characters, which would appear to be English at this point. In country, expect a couple of different colonial languages, indigenous languages, and a smattering of other languages from around the globe - the chances of having the exact right combo of languages is pretty slim, but I will say English should serve you pretty well in general.

No, was just curious whether we were sticking to the main rulebook, or using the extra rules in the other books.

The Rhodesia book has rules for weapons doing different amounts of damage.

What I remember of the Rhodesia book is that it was basically someone's campaign played with a bunch of actual troopies - I have to imagine there was a fair amount of, 'But the AKM could . . . ' gun bunny conversations, which is totally understandable given the make-up of the group but not necessarily the stuff of which great game rules are made.

MERC is quirky enough as is!

In reply to The Corporation (msg # 6):

Thanks, I've updated the character details with the information from therpgsite and languages that would make sense for a white South African mercenary.