A) per chat, wouldn't Persuasion be a primary roll as well since the plan is to persuade people to accept the situation and doctrine?

B) new power: Shields, New power: VTOL, +1 Leadership(3), +1 rank to Theology, perform, and sheathe weapon

C) sidekick danielle, shiraki,  magnus

D) acolyte: mollee, danielle, shiraki, magnus

In reply to Yanna Raptis (msg # 5):

A) per chat, wouldn't Persuasion be a primary roll as well since the plan is to persuade people to accept the situation and doctrine?

Leadership is described as the skill to "control lackeys." While the description of persuasion doesn't expressly state it only effects one person it kinda of implies that it is used for one on one, or a small number of people.  Theology in the Blessed book expressly described as being used to solicit conversion.  I would assume that if the Theology is spotty or the religion is not actually believed by the speaker that Perform: Acting would work instead (give the appearance of zealous belief, and create arguments on the spur of the moment that appeal to the audiences emotions).

I would say if your character "witnesses" to people one on one or in small groups (6 people or smaller including her) that persuasion can be used.  Beyond that I have been allowing your character to make a persuasion roll that adds modifiers to your other rolls. 

B) new power: Shields, New power: VTOL, +1 Leadership(3), +1 rank to Theology, perform, and sheathe weapon

That is fine.  If after reading above you wish to reconsider skill placement I am OK with that.

C) sidekick danielle, shiraki,  magnus

I'll upload their stats and skills later tonight.

D) acolyte: mollee, danielle, shiraki, magnus

As above.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:03, Thu 18 Feb 2021.

Your characters speech doesn't attract quite the animosity or ridicule you feared it might.  While the overwhelming majority of the population are not yet converts you manage to start a conversation.  By the end of the first two weeks eight women will approach asking to learn more about the spirits, and what they have to teach.  You don't think of them have any particular talent for talking with tech spirits but their interest in learning more about what your fledgling church has to teach appears genuine.

Lastly, you have managed to get the leadership of the various factions to go along with your structure for now.  Your working to sway them to your cause but it will take time.  Of the leadership only Gail appears to be completely on board even if she doesn't really believe in the spirits.  Collette at least appears to see the utility but you can tell she has a hard time taking it to seriously.

So far your leadership is keeping the prison population in line.  It is a struggle to prevent violence between the different factions, and even harder to prevent some members of the population from giving into despair. By the end of the two weeks 3 women will have committed suicide.

Additionally, event though your generators have staved off off power loss you find it is becoming difficult to find the growing cold.  The electric heaters are fully powered the AC system still must draw in outside air.  While you could prevent this it would create another host of problems as some amount of fresh air is required for the health, and survival of the population. The AC filters are beginning to get clogged by radioactive dust and will soon need to be replaced. Yanna and her team think they can make replacements but someone will have to change them risking radiation poisoning and worse.

Over the past two weeks you have found yourself unexpectedly bonding with Danielle, Shiraki, and Magnus.  Danielle listens to you with an openness you have come to find endearing and moreover she really needs you.  Not something from you.  You are working with her strength of mind by teaching her about the spirits, and the society you want to build.  It seems to be really helping her.  Shiraki is also someone you can talk to you.  Like you she was fucked over by Pentacorp.  In some ways she was arguably fucked over worse.  You find that unlike everyone else that she really understands your frustration when you vent about them.  Lastly, there is Magnus.  Your probably most surprised to have become attached to her.  When you first met her you thought of her as a possible tool in your belt.  In the past two weeks she has become a colleague you can work with.  Literally.  All three have become close friends, and intimate partners.  While you value every member of your crew, and see each of them as friends it is these three that you are starting to see as peers of a sort.

Dixie Legion 30
LaLL 27
Nation 18
Guards 35 (captain/sergeant)
Unaligned 50
Leaders of gangs 3
Me, warband, and sidekicks 7

Total: 170

See my private message notes for structure info.

Notes/Questions
Of the unaligned, I need 3 who are ok with following La LL and 12 for the Nation.  I am working on the rest of the adjustments needed but wondering if there would be any volunteers for this and I’d structure under me either directly or by assigning sidekicks as Primus.  For the guards, I need 5 who are open to serving under me or one of my sidekicks as the rest would serve under the new Capt.


Mental Ward
How many on the ward?
How many are on the ward solely for testing and have minimal actual psychoses?
How many are functionally mental…how many could function in society with minimal notice?
How many are homicidal and can’t be let out?
How many have supernatural abilities and, if they do, are they in the functional or homicidal group?
Psyker, I might try to handle when we talk, other than her delusions and OCD, does she show any signs of rages or uncontrollable issues, could she function outside?

Religion
How many are adamantly opposed to following the religion?
How many have their faith but are fine working within the structure of another faith’s government?
Once I have an idea on the amount of people not willing to consider what I’ve said or the power I’ve shown and their level of zealotry, I can formulate how I’d handle them.

Junker
If I used the existing VTOL and just pulled the engines and such to make it a junker/g-ray vtol, how much of the components would it provide.  I have run some basic numbers based on the civilian vtol in Iron Oasis and it wouldn’t take much to do it (other than a decent die roll).

I forgot, how many components for a Soul Tap,  need to plan on the building of a few.

Notes/Questions
Of the unaligned, I need 3 who are ok with following La LL and 12 for the Nation.  I am working on the rest of the adjustments needed but wondering if there would be any volunteers for this and I’d structure under me either directly or by assigning sidekicks as Primus.  For the guards, I need 5 who are open to serving under me or one of my sidekicks as the rest would serve under the new Capt.

Ok...I am sure that can be worked out.

Mental Ward
How many on the ward? 30 including psycher.

How many are on the ward solely for testing and have minimal actual psychoses? Depends on definition of minimum.  Maybe 16 can be made "functional" according to their medical dossiers.  All mental patient were gathered for genetic testing of inheritable supernatural proclivities and all are actually mentally insane (3 or higher levels of loco).  Currently only one responds to external stimuli.  All the others will eat drink, and do their business but otherwise ignore the outside world.

How many are functionally mental…how many could function in society with minimal notice? See previous.

How many are homicidal and can’t be let out? About 14 to 20.  Depends on your threshold. Assuming a fairly lenient threshold then 20.  These would include a few serial killers, and ritual torturers who remain relatively "reasonable" and capable of practicing "restraint".  On the 14 end of the spectrum you exclude a few who are morons, imbeciles, and retarded.  Pick you politically incorrect term. These are people who the outside world are safe from but who are not necessarily safe from the outside world.

How many have supernatural abilities and, if they do, are they in the functional or homicidal group?  All are knacks except for psycher.

Psyker, I might try to handle when we talk, other than her delusions and OCD, does she show any signs of rages or uncontrollable issues, could she function outside?

She is logically consistent within her delusion.  She only gets aggressive if you try to push her out of the delusion or mess with her rituals..

Religion
How many are adamantly opposed to following the religion?  Hard to say with clarity.  About 10% openly refuse to even pretend. Only about 3 of them appear openly mock it.  One is a scientologist, one is new atheist (think Dawkins, Hitchens, you know an atheist who is an asshole about it), and one a muslim. More are unconvinced.

How many have their faith but are fine working within the structure of another faith’s government? See above.  There may be more who are quietly not OK but the 3 are the only obvious ones.  Your character can safely assume there are those among the 10% (not all of which she has identified) that will be fine working within your society and those that are only currently fine but won't always be.

Once I have an idea on the amount of people not willing to consider what I’ve said or the power I’ve shown and their level of zealotry, I can formulate how I’d handle them.

Junker
If I used the existing VTOL and just pulled the engines and such to make it a junker/g-ray vtol, how much of the components would it provide.  I have run some basic numbers based on the civilian vtol in Iron Oasis and it wouldn’t take much to do it (other than a decent die roll).
It is the civilian vtol.  Based upon your description your leaving the majority of the frame intact so you wouldn't be getting any of the structural from the frame itself. So a total of 4 structural from the engine.  14 mechanical, and 16 electronic.

I forgot, how many components for a Soul Tap,  need to plan on the building of a few.
The Soul Tap costs 1 electric, 1 mechanical, 3 structural, and 1 pound of ghost rock.

This message was last edited by the GM at 05:28, Sat 20 Feb 2021.

Yanna walked towards the mental ward with Tiffy and Doc.  They were just doing some general chatting about the status of the prison.

As they neared the ward, Yanna looked at the doc and said, "I have some thoughts on our friends here.  Remind me when I am done here to discuss them with you..."

That last word came out just as they approached the cell.  Yanna looked into the room and spoke to the woman inside, "Ms. Alexander, how are you today?  I was hoping we could talk about your future...are you interested?"

Now that Yanna's life isn't in danger, and she isn't busy instigating a coup against the prison she has the time to more fully observe Menfra.  Menfra Alexander's skin is pale from lack of sunlight but Yanna can just make out a once olive complexion.  Her face is framed by dark locks of thick hair that is naturally highlighted by hints of blond and red.  The hair is badly in need of a wash and combing but despite its ragged state it still posses just enough waviness to  be remain interesting.  She has full lips, a straight nose, and strikingly deep dark eyes.  She is garbed only in a stained inmates shirt that is easily three sizes to large for her.

Menfra's gaze rises away from her worn playing cards towards the cell door.  Her eyes appear to be a little glassy at first but Yanna can just barely make out a brief flash of green light in them before her eyes become fully alert. Smiling shyly Menfra's reply's, "Who are you bright one?"  Her voice is tired almost to the point of being soporific but underneath that Yanna can hear what must be its normal feathery tones.

Yanna smiled and responded, "My name is Yanna Raptis...a lot has changed in such a short time.  I am in charge here," she paused a moment before continuing.

"The world outside has gone to hell.  They dropped the bombs and society as we knew it, seems to be gone.  Right now we are solidifying our situation and preparing to move forward.  The spirits," she bowed her head a moment before looking up, "have blessed me with abilities and we are going to do our best to honor them."

"I came to you today, to see what, if anything you knew about what has happened, and what would you like to do for yourself?"

Menfra's smile broadens and she turns her head to look towards the north before saying dreamily, "I felt them die.  Miles of distance, thick prison walls, and mind numbing drugs couldn't mute their screams."  Springing abruptly to her feet Menfra nimbly strides to the northern wall of the cell and as if to eavesdrop on some distant conversation presses her ear up against it.

Dreamily she says, "The souls of men, women, children, the innocent, and the guilty ripped from their bodies and sucked into the maelstrom." A hint of mania entering her voice Menfra loudly shouts, "Even now they scream, and scream, and scream.  They won't stop, they can't stop.  The bombs cracked open the gates of hell and unleashed demons whose greatest delight is to show those souls their worst nightmares on a perpetual loop and in Technicolor." Menfra pauses to inhale.  Letting out a short sigh she continues her voice back to normal volume, "This is but the beginning of the reckoning for mankind's sins.  This is the punishment we collectively chose for turning a blind eye to the malefactor's who serve the Horsemen."

Turning back around she begins to approach the cell door before coming to a stop at the center of her cell.  Her dirty, too large shirt threatens to fall off as it barely manages to hang from shoulders and the top of her breasts.  Pulling her hair back away from her face her smile turns coy, "That is some of what I know about about what has happened Yanna."  The mania has vanished from Menfra's voice and returned is the soft heart-warming tones, "As for what I would like Yanna...I would like to be free, and to look for my sister.  Despite this prison's best attempts I can feel that she is close.  Closer then she has ever been in the four years I have been here."
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:32, Sat 27 Feb 2021.

Yanna listened intently as the woman spoke.  Her words brought forth images of the souls of mankind screaming in torment.  She shuddered just a little and focused on Menfra's last remarks.

"It is not safe to let you leave yet," she began, "the radioactive ash still falls outside these walls.  But, when it is clear, you may go and search for your sister.  Until then, would you tell me more about what you know.  Knowledge would be helpful if we are to build a better society." She studied the woman's reactions as she spoke.

"Perhaps we can become friends before you go and, maybe, you'll have a place to come back to after you find her," she finished.

Menfra's coy smile drops into a pout, "Is that your way of telling me you won't let me out of this cell Yanna?  You talk about becoming friends. Friendship is based upon mutual trust.  How can I trust you if you can't, or won't trust me."

You feel Doctor Magnus's breath on your cheek as she leans in close and whispers, "We must be careful Yanna.  The materials that make up this cell and the drugs pumped into its air supply suppress her powers."

Mechanics:
Scrutinize reveals that Mefra is clearly anxious to get out of the cell.  You suspect that a large part, perhaps even the mountain share, of her desire to be let out is because she has been locked up for so long.  You can't determine is there are any other motivations.  She clearly wants to find her sister obviously but you don't know if she will wait.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:24, Sat 27 Feb 2021.

"Do you always put words in people's mouths that were not said...should I just open a gate to someone that I know very little of without first conversing with them as I am doing.  All I said was that you cannot leave this facility due to radioactive ash...this cell is still very much in consideration," she paused for a moment.

"Your words, however, do bring in to question your motivations.  I had hoped we could come to an agreement, an accord, so that you might look for your sister.  But now, I have to wonder if that is truly your motivation...can you have a conversation without accusations...I hope so, truly." Her words hung there for a moment.

"Let us start again, please.  I would like to see you able to find your sister.  I would like to know that I could help you in some small way.  We all need friends and, yes, I know that it is hard to trust...for all of us.  So, let us have this civil discussion and I will take a day to think of the outcome.  Tell me, if you were freed from this cell tomorrow...what would you do?"

Menfra's expression briefly turns sardonic before becoming expressionless.  Tilting her head she appears to think a moment before responding, "Perhaps I did put words in your mouth but if you consider my position for a moment you will understand why I am prone to assume the worst.  I have been stuck inside this cell for the majority of the past four years.  The few times I have been outside is only after they sedated me to the point where I could barely maintain consciousness.  I was then dragged out by Pentacorp thugs, strapped to a table, ands subjected to testing." Menfra abruptly stops and clenches her jaw shut and momentarily grinds her teeth before growling out, "Testing is the wrong word for it.  Testing implies something benign.  I was subjected to torture and humiliation."  One of Menfra's hand abruptly shoots out and points towards the northern wall again, "I am no better off then those trapped in the maelstrom for this is my nightmare."

Menfra's fist clenches tightly and falls back to her side as she continues, "I have no other motivation then getting out of here, and finding my sister." Menfra pauses again, briefly shuts her eyes, and visibly forces herself to relax.  Her voice now calm, "If I am let out tomorrow I suppose that I would look for my sister among the inmates.  Even through these walls, and the drugs they pump into the air I can feel her close.  Our spirits are linked and the closer we are to one another the stronger the connection."

Mechanics:
As far as you can tell she is sincere.  She appears to be telling the truth about her experiences.

Yanna considers what she is hearing carefully before replying.

“IF, the decision is made to free you tomorrow, you will need to give your word to follow our rules and laws.  I will not have violence spread among our people.  IF, there is someplace you wish to investigate that is blocked to you, you will come to me and discuss it with me.  I can tell you that no place I am aware of that will be secure, has anyone there…but, if you feel you need to check, we can escort you.  Can you abide by those rules and the consequences if you break them?”

Yanna's question is followed by a long pause.  It is obvious to Yanna from the look of concentration on Menfra's face and the distant look in her eyes that she is carefully considering the question.  Eventually Menfra seems to come to a conclusion and answers, "I am willing to make that promise so long that promise does not preclude me from eventually leaving if I so desire, or defending myself against direct acts of violence.  Is this acceptable?"

"As long as you do not provoke those direct acts of violence...and, I would prefer you don't leave during the Ashfall as your hopes of survival are slim. But...I will not stop you either now or after Ashfall."

She closed her eyes wondering if her next action would be a mistake, but, she felt it was the right thing to do.  Reaching her hand out, she motioned for Doc to unlock the cell. "I will let you out.  There is an empty office near the rest of us that might be safer for you to sleep in and, not this cell." The cell door swung open and Yanna stood outside looking in at the woman, "Come, be free...and, maybe, decide if you want to be with us or not..."


OOC NOTES: Probably not building the shields for the intakes, I would need to have a lot of people on soul taps to keep them working right now and, until we can scavenge stuff, I have limited resources.  I will take the blankets and stuff to supplement the filters.

Menfra's eyes widen as the door swings open.  For a moment she remains where she is dumbstruck before jerkily bolting out the door into the hallway.  As she steps across the threshold there is a momentary loud buzzing sound that lets out a zap sound.  Both Menfra, and Yanna's hair drifts upward as if they had become statically charged.

Menfra stands before Yanna looking her up and down.  A broad smile breaks across Menfra's face before she grabs Yanna into a surprising hug.  As the two women's skin draws close Yanna can see an electrical arc between the two, and feel a momentary painful jolt as the static discharges.

Menfra Alexander

Yanna tensed up a little as the jolt hit her...'what was that,' she thought to herself.

"Did you see that...did you feel that...what was that," she finished at first seeming to address Menfra but the last was asked to everyone.

Menfra is yanked backward by Tiffy abruptly ending the impromptu embrace at the same time Yanna asks her question.  The abrupt motion ripps Menfra's too large prison shirt allowing the garment to fall to the ground when Tiffy releases her.  "No touching the Boss...err...Archon without invitation."  Tiffy growls while wagging her finger at the now nude Menfra.

The presence of the nude women distracts Yanna from her question long enough for her gaze to take in the woman's body.  Her body is well proportioned  and lithe but is currently merely pretty instead of truly beautiful.  The ribs, and hip bones are to pronounced from lack of fat or muscle covering them due to malnourishment.  Tiny scars from surgeries and overused injection sights cover her stomach, arms, and upper thighs.  Additionally Yanna's medical training can make out badly healed breaks to the womans ribs. Altogether considering the lack proper nourishment and obvious past physical abuse Yanna is surprised Menfra can walk much less move with any hint of grace.

Mechanics:
Your occult roll doesn't reveal a why.  Your best guess is that since the room was designed to suppress Menfra's powers that maybe there is a field that generates a charge when she crossed the door threshold.

Medicine roll reveals the past wounds and that most likely not accidental.  Most probable is a result from someone repeatedly kicking her in the ribs, or hitting her with blunt object.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:23, Sun 07 Mar 2021.

"Tiff," Yanna began, "be gentle," she finished.  "Get her some clothes, find a room for her, and bring her some food, please," she continued.  I need to talk to Doc.  Make sure she is safe and comfortable," she hoped she was conveying her wish for her to be watched as well as protected.

"Go with Tiffy," she said to Menfra, "she'll get you food and clothing and, hopefully, you can get some rest."

After the two of the walked away, she looked at the Doc.  "Come," she began, "let's go down to the research lab."  She started walking towards the door knowing the doc would follow.

When they got too the lab, she looked at the doc and said, "Did you do all of that to her? No, that isn't the main question I have...did Pentacorp use any of her sisters genetics in these embryo experiments?  Could she be sensing something coming from here?"

OOC NOTES: Probably not building the shields for the intakes, I would need to have a lot of people on soul taps to keep them working right now and, until we can scavenge stuff, I have limited resources.  I will take the blankets and stuff to supplement the filters.

More: I can't find where you told me what resources I need for Soul Taps, I know you told me.  Trying to see what I need so I can finally determine the things I am going to make.

Magnus scowls for a momentarily before taking off her glasses and placing them in her coats breast pocket.  Pursing her lips she says, "I have no knowledge of whether or not Pentacorp used Menfra's sister genetics in any of the embryo experiments but it wouldn't surprise me if that proves to be the case.  We are rarely told the sources of every sample we are provided, and I knew better than to ask.  However, I know for a fact that some of Menfra's was used."

Pausing for a moment to further collect her thoughts she continues, "As to the state of Menfra's poor health I must accept some responsibility.  I did not administer, request, and I do not sanction the obvious beatings she has suffered in her past but I have overseen many of the sample collections she has undergone in the past few years."

Walking over to one of the surgical tables she runs her hands across it, "Menfra was never cooperative but even if she had been the protocol for imprisoning a Psyker, especially one her caliber, is the same.  They are kept in a reinforced room equipped with a ghost steel faraday cage, a mild sedative is automatically added to the rooms air supply, and the magnitude of calories they are allowed to intake is carefully limited."

Turning away from the table she faces you, "You might find the last inhumane but I assure you we gave her enough to survive." Grimacing she elaborates, "When Psykers utilize their powers they burn calories.  Most of the calories they burn through is supplied by blood glucose.  When they begin to run low on blood glucose the body does what it normally does.  It frees up additional calories by breaking down fat, and protein in the body.  This is why you rarely see an obese, or diabetic Psyker.  Consequently one of the best methods for keeping a Psyker imprisoned is to limit calorie intake, and reducing their overall body fat. " Sighing she murmurs, "A half starved Psyker's body can't withstand the strain extensive use of their abilities place of their bodies."

Looking over the large cooler system that stores the embryos, "As the other part of your question I don't know the answer.  Even if Menfra's sister DNA was used I don't know whether she would be able to sense it."

Mechanics:
Scrutinize doesn't reveal any dishonesty.

You don't know a lot about Psykers and your powers work through intermediaries (tech spirits) so you are also not terribly up to date on how those who directly channel supernatural power through their bodies work.  Based upon your knowledge of medicine what she is saying makes sense.
You Occult Engineering does provide some insight into the ghost steel faraday cage.  You use ghost steel to trap supernatural energy given off by ghost rock as it burns.  It makes a certain kind of sense that placing a Psyker inside a faraday cage made of ghost steel would limit their access to external supernatural energies.  It would be like placing a radio inside a faraday cage.  The microwave and radio waves get grounded before they can be received by the radio.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:05, Tue 09 Mar 2021.

The Soul Tap costs 1 electric, 1 mechanical, 3 structural, and 1 pound of ghost rock.

As Magnus spoke, she just nodded her head, listening intently.  "Well," she began, "we can nurse her back to health and maybe we will luck out and she will not be a threat to us.  The cell might be useful if we do capture someone and need to separate them from their powers..."  She thought a moment.

"Is there anyway to isolate the embryo's with DNA that is Menfra's or similar?  I don't know why she would feel her presence except for the embryo's and I'd rather control the situation if that turns out to be true."

"We need to figure it out...and, we need to get to work on programming the control chips...and, we need to install a few more taps...and, I need to make a few other items before Ashfall ends...AND, I need to make sure we have a firm plan for everyone when it ends." She sighs at her list of things to do.

"You get to work on the embryos and chips, I'll try to get the taps and other things done...plus, I think I need to call a meeting.  You can attend if you want or you can focus on your work."

Pulling out her walkie she contacted Danielle, "Dani, call the leaders and tell them we need to have a meeting.  Tell them they can bring their cohort with them.  If they ask, we will be discussing plans to get us through Ashfall and for after Ashfall."

OOC: Leaders would be each faction and the guard leader with their allotted cohort. Their cohort is 2, and they could have up to 2 sidekicks each.  My cohort and sidekicks will be there (although Magnus has the option to focus on her tasks if she wishes)