Wow this is all awesome! I am visiting relatives this weekend but I will try to consume it all ASAP

In reply to Captain (msg # 48):

No worries.  Talk to you tomorrow or Tuesday then.  Thanks.

Alright just to clarify, Rig & Silver are going to be looking into the dock worker and Tepha and Ledo are going to be looking into the trade show to see if there is anything of particular value worth stealing.

In reply to Captain (msg # 50):

Okie dokie.  Let's dig in then.

Usually what I'll need is some kind of idea of how they are looking in to things or researching.  And maybe a better idea of what they are looking in to.

Let's start with Rig and Silver.

Are they looking for Lettie?  Or just asking around to see if this is a viable opportunity (to Tepha's point, this could be a set up)?  Maybe both?

Second, what's their methodology.  You have a choice here: you can describe what they are doing and leave it to me to figure out what skill check is needed, or you can call the check yourself Ex.  "We're going to go in to the bars and drink it up with every dirty john we can, slipping in questions about Lettie as we get them plastered." Or, "Will try to use Carouse to get info out of the locals".

Here are some suggestions.  It's by no means your set of choices.  But just to help you get started:

>If you want to try to talk to Barney:  Streetwise/Int 5+ to find a contact for him and Persuade/Soc to set up a meeting.  The results of the meeting invitation may vary depending on your roll's results.

>If you want to ask around, you can either hit up the local bars and Carouse/Soc 8+ or try to find an information broker and give up a few creds.  Streetwise/Int 4+

>If you want to look for Lettie, there's Investigation/Int or Soc or Recon/Int.

A couple of things I do that aren't cannon:

>In some situations, you can offer a bribe.  Results depend on the amount of the bribe, but usually, I'll give you some kind of DM bonus to your roll (or penalty if the bribe is considered an insult).

>In some cases, like the Investigation roll under the look for Lettie option, I just ask for a roll and see how well you do.  A natural 12 will always get you some kind of positive result.  A natural 2 will always get you some kind of negative result of varying degrees.


>In your case, because you are a strong writer and because you're having to write for four characters, I am awarding you two +1DM bonuses per story thread that you may use at your discretion.  You can not use the bonuses on the same roll though.

Questions thus far?

Suggestions for the Tepha/Ledo inquiry:

>Tepha could go to a spa she knows of where the women of higher class go.  She'll have to spend some credits to get in the door, but she could Carouse/Soc to ask around about the trade show.

>You could research the security personnel.  Either try to find an underworld contact who might have some info (Streewise/Int 10+) or maybe go to the site, ID one of the security personnel, have Tepha follow him and 'bump into him', and flirt flirt flirt your way to info (Diplomat/Soc or Int)

>You can try to hack into the highport's computer system to try to get a schematic of the event space (Electronics/Int 10+)

>You can also do some general research on the computer to see if you can find any anouncements of items of interest planned for this year's trade show.  (Investigate/Int)

Again, these are just some general ideas to help get you started.  You can let me know here or in the story thread what options you wish to consider pursuing.

Let me know if there are any questions.  Thanks.

This is exactly what I need to move forward. I'll look it over and post IC about their plans of attack.

Quick clarification: when you say high port and low port do you mean high port is an orbital station and low port is planetside? Did I miss that in a write up somewhere?

In reply to Captain (msg # 54):

I think I mentioned it, but I was info dumping on you, so it probably got lost in the shuffle.

Yes.

High Ports will always be orbital stations.

Low Ports (some games call them Down Ports or Planetsides) are ground based.

The 'Star Port' is whatever port in a system that is officially recognized as that system's main port.  Bit like the difference between O'Hare Airport and all the little community airports that dot the Chicago area.

It's not uncommon for a busy hub like Karin to have several ports, both high and low.  It can get confusing.

Also, if you hear the term 'Startown' that's usually in reference to the area around a Low Port.  Usually they're the stereotypical shanty town/ad hoc bazaar you'll see in fiction.

Lucky Lizzy is in the Low Port.  It is in the port proper and not the Startown nearby.

Clear as mud?

Oh and just to keep where everyone currently is straight:

Ledo and Rig are on the high port. Barney and the Convention space are up there.

Silver is talking to someone at the low port.

Tepha used a comm box.  So she can be either high or low, depending on your preference.

Lastly, I think I've mentioned it, but I will be traveling starting tomorrow.

I will definitely be offline tomorrow and Friday. I'll try to post either Saturday or Sunday. After that it will be as I can until I return on the 29th.

Once the New Year starts, I will revert to my usual schedule.  That means I will check boards Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and either Friday or Saturday.  I may check more often as my schedule allows.

Let me know if there are any concerns or requests.  Looking forward to gaming with you.  Thanks.

In reply to Bad Code (msg # 57):

I am back.  Thanks.  Hope you had a good Holidays.

Glad to hear it! I too have been out for the holidays and have recently returned. Putting up posts now.

In reply to Captain (msg # 59):

I'm so proud of myself.  I finally got a homemade map to upload on to RPOL.  You have no idea.  It's been 10 years in the making.

Anyway, let me know if you can't access the Group 1 map.  This is the private exhibition hall.  I'll work on the main hall and upload that tomorrow or so.

Let me know what questions you have.  Thanks.

Looks great so far. As a mapmaker myself I appreciate the extra touch of excellent graphics and fine details however I would never turn my nose up at even a simple 5-minute MS Paint drawing.

Taking a quick break to get some questions answered:

1) What are your thoughts about their shopping list: x2 boarding vacc suits and x1 rental transport?

2) Are there security cameras in the bar where Ledo & his team are HQ'd at? Is there a back entrance, secret or otherwise that would let them come and go without anyone in the front noticing?  Just trying to figure out a way to establish their alibi.

3) What kind of security did Molly have? At least from what Silver could eyeball during her visit?

In reply to Ledo Typhin (msg # 62):

1) Both are very doable.   You'll be able to get hands on both.  You will need to decide about what rental transport to use.  But we'll get to that when we get in to the preplanning phase.  Unless you were considering hitting this guy up to provide transport, in which case: probably yes.  You'd have to negotiate that with him though.

2) There are cameras, but they're all controlled by your war buddy.  I don't think he's an ally, so him turning a blind eye might cost you a little something.  But the cameras aren't an issue. There are a few other customers.  So there would be witnesses, if you were considering something going down now.  (I haven't read Ledo's latest post yet).

Yes on back doors.  Two:  one from the kitchen and one from the hallway your private room is located in.  Both let out on to an alleyway that has exits to the street and to another alleyway.  There's also a handy ladder to the roof back there.

3) Silver noticed some goons standing by.  She made three:  two in the street and one close by Molly's office.  Silver would know that Molly's on-hand manpower is based on how busy her shop is:  if she has a lot of calls, less men hanging around waiting for work.

Silver noted cameras on all entrances.  She didn't make any cameras inside the building, but that's odd.

---

Let me know what other questions you may have.  Thanks.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:10, Tue 07 Jan 2020.

So the updated plan is to frame the heist on Molly and her crew. Silver can go back and lift some cat hairs pretty easily and them make sure that those are rubbed on the vacc suits prior to the heist. Maybe even have some they can plant strategically in the back room like a bright orange hair on a white surface or something to really help the investigation along.

However the cat hairs are the smoking gun but the cops need to know to even look at Molly in the first place.

There are a couple of ideas I have, not sure what is feasible:

1) Steal Molly's identity for the truck rental.

2) Have two rental vehicles so they can do a hotswap of goods from one to the other and then leave the rental used in the heist at or near Molly's property. Park it someplace nearby illegally briefly long enough to pick up a ticket to make the cops look at that area.

3) Buy two identical pieces of jewelry worth 5,000 credits, give or take. Then to pay for the information on Lettie Silver can "pay" the jewelry to Molly while Ledo wears the copy to the heist. The raiders can make a show of ripping it off of him as part of the heist. A broach or something appropriate for a military uniform. Best part is if things go well Ledo will get the payment back once evidence has been processed.

4) Tepha can claim from the bathroom she overheard a raider use the name "Molly".

So how feasible and what kind of rolls would be necessary for these actions?

In reply to Ledo Typhin (msg # 64):

Some of these are task chains and some are situations we'd have to roleplay through.

1) Stealing Molly's identity.
                             >First, actually steal her identity information.
                                     -Either hack the system to get it.  Electronics/Computer
                                     -Steal her ident card.  Skill depends on how you do it.
                                      DEX for pickpocketing.
                                      Electronics/Sensors and Stealth to break in and copy it.
                             >Second, you'd have to use the identity information:
                                     -Rent it yourself then hack the rental company's systems and
                                      replace her info with yours. Electronics/Computers.
                                     -Come up with a fake ident card one of the ladies could use
                                      but ties back to Molly.  Either buy one using Streetwise to
                                      find a hawker or try to create one yourself.  Electronics/Computer.


2)                           Tactics to find a secluded place to make the swap.  The switch itself
                             would have to be roleplayed out.

3)                           This is largely roleplaying.  I would ask for a Persuade or
                             Profession/Actor role to see how believable your performance is.
                             But since you're actually robbing the place, the bar would be set
                             pretty low.  Waving guns around is always good for a bonus.

4)                           Persuade or Profession/Actor.

That help?

Yes it does.

1) I'll go with the second option. Steal her numbers and then put it on a fake card. Probably have Rig, our resident computer specialist, get it set up.

2) Tactics would be on Ledo to roll. The key is a place that not visible through surveillance and that goes for both the switch as well as the final place to park. Silver will be driving after they remove their vacc suits and she needs to ensure that she could pass as Molly from surveillance which means hiding her scar and dying her hair. Also add a shit ton of cat hair to the cab of the car. That shouldn't be a problem if Molly's cats aren't perfectly groomed. Just by petting them if you're careful you can pull out handfuls of hair at a time. Rub tuna juice or something on her hands and the cats will come sniffing to easy petting.

3) Understood.

4) Understood. Makes me a little sad that I went with ballet dancer instead of actress but /shrug.

---

So what are the next steps, the way I see it:

1. Get 2 pieces of identical jewelry (Ledo can go in and say he is buying it for a mistress but needs to keep it under wraps so he will buy one with a card and then slip the clerk cash for the second one to keep it "off the records"
   
2. Acquire Cat Hair/Pay Molly with jewelry
   
3. Steal Molly's Identity via hacking
   
4. Use fake ID + cash to get vacc suits and 1 rental vehicle
   
5. Use own ID to get rental vehicle for the switch
   
6. Using Tactics park Clean rental for the switch
   
7. Ledo buys 2 tickets to the VIP section
   
8. Rig takes the getaway rental and swings by the convention location and sets up the security splice.
   
9. Ledo & Tepha go to convention
   
10. Ledo goes into VIP section while Tepha wanders around
    
11. Ledo scopes out security and then goes back to main convention center to message Tepha. He does but also uses a coded phrases to alert Rig to security measures (i.e. I'll ask about your left leg if there is one armed guard, your right leg if there are two armed guards etc.)
    
12. Ledo & Tepha regroup and go to the auction where they scope out the items on display (typically auctions put items out so that people can inspect the merchandise and hopefully have pamphlets or something trying to boost up interest in the pieces)
    
13. Auction starts. A few minutes before raid Tepha goes to the restroom and clears it out/locks it from the inside.
    
14. Rig & Silver in vacc suits dock and open up airlock just as security lockdown goes into place. Ledo, sitting close to the door runs up and tries to wrestle Rig's gun away but really is just blocking any clean shots from armed security and gets taken hostage. Has broach stolen and is used as leverage to get security to disarm themselves.
    
15. Silver and Ledo stay in main floor while Rig goes in back with loading cart and starts loading up the work.
    
16. If there aren't security cameras in the restroom AND Tepha has the bathroom secured then she will unscrew the vent and go to the back and help Rig load the cart. Otherwise she will crouch by the vent and play the part of spying on Rig to "overhear" the conversation. Before Rig leaves she will return to bathroom and replace vent.
    
17. Rig comes back out and loads cart into rental. Silver takes Ledo hostage and all three depart.
    
18. Ledo will be dumped at the same spot as the "switch" is happening so he can help load up the other vehicle and he'll say he tried to negotiate with the captures thinking they were going to kill him which will explain the "pause". Rig will bash Ledo in the head with his rifle so Ledo can pretend to have been knocked out giving Rig & Silver plenty of time to stash the vehicle before "waking up" and calling for help.
    
19. Rig & Silver dump the rental tied to Molly, change and Rig will head back for the loot while Silver heads home.
    
20. Ledo will "wake up" shortly before security protocol lifts, he'll run around and try and contact local PD to let them know what happened. Tepha and Ledo get taken into custody and give their witness statements, Ledo will report his brooch stolen etc.
    
21. Rig offloads the loot to a storage unit and returns rental.
    
22. Everyone regroups at HQ and they wait and see what happens next.
    
23. (Hopefully) Police investigation over the next few days turn up the cat hairs + Molly name Tepha slips them plus find the rental tied to Molly and she gets picked up for questioning.

For an alibi, Ledo and Tepha are covered but Rig will rig up (ha!) a simple script that will show him playing video games, browsing the internet and streaming entertainment for the time period for him and Silver. Basically he'll spend a couple of days doing just that for a few hours at a time, record it and then splice together a new activity pattern for him and Silver. Ledo and Tepha will leave out the front while Rig and Silver will leave out the back so it will seem like they are just in the back room playing around all day.

Overall their cover is that Ledo wants to start an exploration company and was hoping to bid on something at the auction that would lead them to undiscovered ruins. Rig and Silver are friends he hired to assist.

---

Phew. Given all that it is up to you to figure out what is considered a routine task vs. what needs to be rolled vs. what needs to be roleplayed and hopefully that gives you an idea of what scenes to plan out for the foreseeable future.

In reply to Ledo Typhin (msg # 66):

You are detail oriented, aren'tcha?  That's a good thing.  But I do need to digest this.

Let me look this over tonight.  In the meantime, you can proceed with Armband.

Thanks.

Sorry folks.  Had a long night.  Will post tomorrow.

Alrightie.  Let's get this rolling.

First, steps 1 and 3 since those are more or less rolls.

1 will be a persuade/social test.

3 will be an Electronics(Computer)/Int or Edu, whichever Rig has the higher score in.

We'll go from there.  Thanks.

In reply to Bad Code (msg # 69):

I was wondering how you rolled a 1.

I think you may have gotten your games mixed up.  In Traveler, you roll 2d6 and adds any dice mods.  You only 'fumble' or 'botch' on a 2.  'Botch'.  Brings back my Ars Magica days.

Anyhoo.  Do you want to reroll?  Or would you rather stand with the spirit of the results?  An average success for Ledo and a failure for Rigg?

Your call.

Yeah I will reroll. Could you do me a favor and set the default roller to 2d6?

Rerolled. Ledo got a 9, Rig got an 11.