Behind the Screens at a March Pace, The mechanics thread for the online games Options

[M. J. Young]

Name Dr. John Oakmaster
a.k.a. Professor Oakmaster
Dr. O
Oak

Attributes
Persuasion 2@1
Charisma 1@10
Animal Magnetism 2@2
Strength 1@10
Stamina 1@8
Resistance 1@9
Density 1@1
Flexibility 1@5
Agility 1@4
Hand/Eye 2@1
Intellect 2@2
Intuition 2@1
Education Level 2@6
Will Power 1@7

Averaged Attributes
Ranged Strike Value
Martial Strike Value
Target Value
Damage Value

Best Relevant Attributes
Tech 2@5
Psi 2@1
Mag 2@2
Bod 1@10

Bias
Tech
Psi 6@1
Mag
Bod

Weaknesses
Nearsighted, and wear soft contact lenses, allergies (must use preservative-free contact lens solutions), backaches (always need a back rest when sitting), too much ear wax, acrophobia (fear of heights), susceptibility to procrastination, intolerance to cigarette smoke (instantly sense whenever someone lights up anywhere in the vicinity, and feel tingly/cold-sweaty), tinnitus (ringing in the ears), particularly when there is minimal external audio stimulation, susceptibility to motion sickness.

Description
6'2", 200 lbs, Balding, short haired, Brown with some gray, 45 years old, Blue eyes, Beard, Beard hair very sparse under the mouth (apparently a hair growth pattern specific to some region of southern Germany), Friendly face, a bit paunchy
Skills
Tech
3@5 Computer Science T11@0
1@1 Gravity Generation Theory T11@0
3@5 Read/Write Program T11@1 Java, XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, AJAX, OpenGL, others
2@5 Create Computer Security T11@2
2@3 Bypass Computer Security T11@3
3@5 Math Theory T13@0
3@5 Math Applications T13@0

Psi
Familiarity: The Architect, Scott
2@9 Teaching P0@1
1@1 Read Surface Thoughts P1@1
1@1 Read Memories P1@1
1@3 Perfect Memory (read memories: self) P1@1 (+20SM for reading self)
1@2 Empathy P1@1
1@1 Tap Language Center P1@1
1@2 Observe Psionic Skill Pattern P1@1
1@1 Telepathy P1@3
1@1 Improved Psychic Focus P3@1 +RS/10 sitmod to next attempted psi skill, creates change of circumstance for second attempt
1@1 Clairaudience P3@5
1@1 Clairvoyance P3@6
1@1 Sight/Sound Sensory Presence P3@10
1@1 Full Sensory Presence P3@10
1@1 Sight/Sound/Smell Sensory Presence P3@10
1@1 Heal Damage to Self P6@1

Mag
2@5 Organ M0@0
2@2 Music Conducting M0@0
2@6 Singing M0@0
2@3 Religion: Calvinist/Baptist M0@1
1@5 Bonus Intuition Checks M1@4
1@5 Bonus Will Power Checks M1@4
1@1 Remove Fatigue M2@1 say "Dearest LORD, give me your wisdom and strength, I pray" :06 TF, words only, self only, -19SM

Bod
1@1 Quick Stand B4@4
1@1 Oakido B7@1 martial arts style Slow Defensive Weapon-Utilizing, Grapple -15 def sit-mod, -10 def damage mod, Att: 1, +5 att sit-mod, Body Part: Hand, Bo Stick, Special Maneuvers to be determined

Equipment
Suitcases (2 Samsonite hard-sided, Dark gray, each has two big wheels on one side, two smaller ones and a big retracting handle on the other, in addition to the usual handle on top, so that they are easy to wheel around. They also have combination locks (three digits))
Laptop (Gateway M685, 80GB, Intel Centrino Duo, 1680x1050 resolution, with AC power cord, earphones, audio cords, carrying case) Laptop Data (MS Windows XP SP2, Linux, course materials, personal data, 50000+ family JPGs, 1000+ choir MP3s, various software)
Sneakers w/Velcro (2 pairs, no laces, Navy Blue)
Socks (14 pairs, white gym style)
Underwear (14 pairs white briefs)
Levi's Dockers Pants (2 gray, 1 black, 2 tan, 2 white)
Office Shirts (7, no ironing, assorted lighter colors, long sleeved)
T-Shirts (7, assorted, short sleeved)
Shorts (3, with pockets, assorted colors)
Swimsuit (1)
Thermal Underwear Bottoms (7, black, Eddie Bauer)
Sweatsuit Tops and Bottoms (4 gray, 3 navy blue)
Sweater (2, green)
Jacket (1, green, down)
Sleeping Bag (1, navy blue, down)
Laser Pointer (with batteries)
Flashlight/Radio (hand crank or batteries)
Keychain with Very Miniature Screwdriver Set & Miniature LED Flashlight
Assorted Keys
Miniature Screwdriver Set (in paperback-sized case)
Compass
Pens & Pad of Notebook Paper (spiral bound)
Wallet (black), containing: $200 in small bills (mostly 20s), 25 business cards (self), driver's license (California, the license itself with a previous address, and a separate card giving my updated address (just around the corner from the old one)), credit card, CPR training card, library cards, medical/dental cards, faculty ID card, LA Zoo membership card, Aquarium of the Pacific membership card, HSLDA membership card, AAA membership card, ATM card
Comb (1, cyan)
Toothpaste & Toothbrush
Deodorant
Razor
Disinfecting Alcohol Hand-Washing Gel (1 bottle)
Shampoo
Nail Scissors
Contact Lens Case (pocket storage)
Contact Lens Solution (12 bottles, preservative-free)
Contact Lens Disinfection Unit (sonic/ultraviolet, with AC power cord)
Prescription Glasses (2 pairs, with cases)
Sunglasses (1 pair, fits over glasses, screens peripheral vision as well)
Cell Phone (K10 Royale, with AC recharging cord)
Travel Alarm Clock (metallic case, about the size of 25 stacked business cards when closed)
Bible (full sized, MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV)
Bible (pocket sized, KJV, black leather cover with zipper on the three non-binding sides)
Hymnals (1 Hymnal, 1 Psalter)
Photos (half a dozen family photos, 5x7)
Digital Camera (Sony DSC-P200, with AC recharging cord, USB cord, memory sticks 128MB & 128MB & 64MB & 32MB, 2 lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, carrying case)
Ziplock Storage Bags (various sizes, sufficient to protect vulnerable items from water damage)
Cutlery (knife, fork, spoon, cup)
Can Opener
Matches (1 box kitchen)
Leather belt (worn)
Tupperware beverage container (teal, green top, yellow cap, full of filtered water)
Wedding Ring, plain gold band inscribed with names and date
Kinetic Blaster

Stage 2

World List B Monster Movie World

--M. J. Young

[John A1nut]

Psionic shock waves from Oak right? That means everyone else that does psionics would feel it right? I'm probably far enough away in Cincinnatti to be OK, but what about Scott and the others? Shouldn't they be affected too?

[Oak]

Well, at least I went out in style...

Thanks for the character sheet update, MJ!

BTW, my Tech BRA is up to 2@6 now, right?

I never got around to specifying the stuff I bought during that shopping trip with John II. Should I proceed to do so now, or did I miss the boat? :/

I also have $2000.00 from Nikolaj. Did Scott have a chance to convert that into gems and stuff yet? Hopefully he isn't carrying them with him now... or they could come crashing down from the upper atmosphere in my current world...

[KylerSohse]

Psionic shock waves from Oak right? That means everyone else that does psionics would feel it right? I'm probably far enough away in Cincinnatti to be OK, but what about Scott and the others? Shouldn't they be affected too?

I wouldn't expect it to have a range all that great... but with the massivity of that shockwave, from the looks of things, I'd expect a lot of people to have been injured. I wouldn't think it'd reach far from the complex he's being held in, but I wouldn't think it would only injure people who can use psionics, either.


Ky

[M. J. Young]

Psionic shock waves from Oak right? That means everyone else that does psionics would feel it right? I'm probably far enough away in Cincinnatti to be OK, but what about Scott and the others? Shouldn't they be affected too?

Kyler is right on both counts. First, a psionic shock wave doesn't hurt "people with psionic abilities". It hurts "creatures with nervous systems". Second, it has a ten-foot core radius, losing a damage category with each doubling of the radius. That means anyone within ten feet of Oak took the full fatal damage--58 intensities for a roll of 96 (the ordinary person can survive 15 intensities of damage if they get immediate medical attention). Within twenty feet, the damage is lethal, 19 intensities. Within forty feet it would be dangerous, 10 intensities, 5 intensities damaging within eighty feet, and 1 intensity annoying within one hundred sixty feet. That means a sphere about as large across as a football field is affected, and many of those people are seriously injured, and quite a few are dead, and John Oakmaster is missing from his locked cell, but beyond that range no one felt anything.

Thanks for the character sheet update, MJ!

SOP, actually, whenever someone verses out. That way you can correct me, and we can both be on the same page.

BTW, my Tech BRA is up to 2@6 now, right?

Yeah, just like that. Noted.

I never got around to specifying the stuff I bought during that shopping trip with John II. Should I proceed to do so now, or did I miss the boat?

No, you said you went shopping, so it's just a matter of your paperwork not having caught up with your character paper. However, post the list soon. I don't want to be wondering how much of what you bought was purchased because of where you found yourself when you awoke. You can't mail-order from a previous world, you know.

I also have $2000.00 from Nikolaj.

Actually, I think you don't. Even though Scott fully intended to give it to you, he never did, and you never received it. I might think differently if it were an identifiable object. If Scott had purchased something unique he described to you (or sent you a mental image), and you accepted it based on that, I would at least give you a chance. What we're talking about here, though, is twenty of forty one-hundred dollar bills that he has in his pocket. I don't imagine either of you has a clue which twenty are yours. You can't own a theoretical object, only a real one.

Sorry. Things just took a strange turn. For what it's worth, you can take some consolation in the fact that it is looking very unlikely that Scott will manage to invest his share, either.

--M. J. Young

[M. J. Young]

Now on his own, John III also manages to be the first post today. Kyler follows, and John II and Scott are both active, and Adam wraps up play.

Incidentally, not that it's anyone's business, but Donna sent me a note a week or so back saying she was in the midst of moving and would have to resume play at a later date. She hasn't left us, she's just taking a hiatus.

John III has now had the stage two experience, of coming into a world only half awake (what I still love describing as "attempting to achieve that higher state of consciousness known to the ancient monks of Tibet as, 'awake'"). Interestingly, now he's in a world where his prayers might just be answered in direct and evident ways. He has just prayed for guidance, and in this world that can be a 7@6 Present Information or a 7@7 Communicate Off-World spell. Those are longshots for a guy with a 2@1 bias in a 7@ world with a 2@2 BRA, even with half his 2@3 religion score and +10 for an alliance world. O.K., real longshots, since that totals 82, so he's got a 5 or 6 percent shot at making one of those happen, even if somehow against all probability that's a baseline spell. Complicating it, though, he said guide and protect, which is not just guide. If I assume that he is combining two skills here, he loses any chance because of the -10 penalty for incorporating the second skill. On the other hand, I can assume that this is not a guidance prayer but a protection prayer, that it means protect me by showing me what I should do. That could be classed as a 1@6 Protections NOS; in fact, I think Kelly Tessena Keck has just such a skill on her sheet. I've got a 1:00 baseline TF, but in this case my duration comes to zero instead of ten times the TF (since I'm envisioning a skill that in essence just says, "do this now"). So even though I'm looking at a 0:06 TF I'm going to bonus him +10 for having the TF and the duration equal. He gets +5 for appropriate words, but -10 because it's words only. That means that the inherent sit-mod is +5, and the chance of learning it right now is 71%. The roll is 26, so he gets 1@1 Protection through Guidance M+1@6 0:06TF pray "Dearest LORD, please guard and guide me, I pray", words only, brings to the character's mind one thing to do to keep safe immediately.

He is in a world where psionics are very difficult, and none of his clairsentient skills are within the curve, which means that the rolls I make for them only tell him over time that these won't work. That is, I could roll, but if it's something between forty and ninety-five it will only tell him that he failed. If it's really low and should have worked, or if it should have botched and didn't, he'll start to realize that these things won't work. However, since we have this mechanics thread, all I can really do is say that the roll is made and nothing happens because nothing can happen--there is no chance of success and no chance to botch. They are just impossible.

Kyler is still chatting over lunch, which is fine.

John II gets a 12 GE roll on his return to Columbus, so that's going to go well. I think, though, that a stamina check is in order: 13+16=29, way outside the keep going range.

The skill Scott describes actually looks like a P5@4 Adaptation--the ability to accommodate your body to a harsh environment. Of course, this is probably among the harshest environments that he could choose, as he has to withstand vacuum, radiation, and temperature extremes, three very difficult ones. On the other hand, there's a quirk in the skill that says if it is not automatic, but must be initiated before entering the environment, it's at +20. Thus I'm going to give him the radiation as the core adaptation, toss in the temperature extremes and vacuum at -10 each, and counter these with the requirement that it must be initiated, and give him a roll against a 5@4 Adapt Self to Outer Space skill. His psi bias is a strong 7@1, his BRA is 2@1, and it's a 15@ psi world, so he's got a solid 57% chance to succeed at this. The roll is 08. Now the question is, does he reach space and continue, reach space and return, or not reach space? The middle of those would be best, I think, with the first being the neutral result, so let's GE it: 24 means he never reaches space. Still, for eight minutes he was adapted to it, 1@1 Adapt Self to Outer Space P5@4 must be initiated before entering hostile environment, protects against radiation, vacuum, and temperature extremes.

Remembering the contingency rules, he's already answered what to do in this case, which means attempting a P4@6 Neutral Bouyancy. 47 is the skill learning roll, and since this is nine points easier than the last one he learned that's an easy success, 1@1 Neutral Bouyancy P4@6.

Whoa, what a ride.

Adam rolls 07 on his stealth skills, and I'm not even going to check again, because he's that good. I'm going to pause here to see what he does next, partly because I wrote more than I expected, but partly because it should have made him aware of aspects of the situation to which he may wish to prepare a response.

That's tonight.

--M. J. Young

[Oak]

No, you said you went shopping, so it's just a matter of your paperwork not having caught up with your character paper. However, post the list soon. I don't want to be wondering how much of what you bought was purchased because of where you found yourself when you awoke. You can't mail-order from a previous world, you know.

Fair enough. As you can see below, the type of shopping I had in mind back then was pretty clearly spelled out, long before I knew where I was versing.

And besides, "where I've found myself when I awoke" is miles away from my luggage anyway, with decidedly limited visual ability to find my way over to it, so how much good this stuff will do me right just now is an open question...

Prices on things on your list:

* (laminated?) survival guide, start around $15 and run up near $60, with the ones designed to survive adverse weather conditions starting around $30.
* canteen(s) (ideally, the type that is able to extract water directly from the air), That's a joke, right? $8 for a simple plastic two quart canteen in canvas case with shoulder strap, $15 for an aluminum "four quart" (yes, that's a gallon, but they don't call it that) similarly encased.
* swiss army knife (including tweezers, nail clippers, can opener, screwdriver, scissors, etc.), runs about $19 for the model you describe, with smaller/less useful ones starting around $12 and really fancy ones hitting $45. They do not have the ones carried by the Swiss Army Commandoes on The Tick (that's a joke, too).
* tent (small enough to fit inside suitcase when collapsed), about $35 for nylon with plastic collapsing pole frame and pegs, two-man but really only about 42"x80" rectangular base, 36" peak and nearly triangular from base to peak. There are fancier and more expensive ones, but this has zippered mosquito net doors and waterproof floor, all in one piece.
* space blanket, $6
* fishing gear, you'll have to give me more details
* food rations/concentrate, easy enough to find, how much do you want?

Laminate is fifty cents a sheet, sheets are notebook paper sized.

--M. J. Young

He gives you $300 for your expenses. "The money is here to pay for what we need. When I'm gone, what am I going to do with it? Burn it?"

During the shopping trip, I make the following purchases:

$60.00 -- survival guide, laminated
$15.00 -- canteen, aluminum four quart (filled from filtered hotel water sources)
$ 8.00 -- canteen, plastic two quart w/canvas container and shoulder strap (also filled)
$45.00 -- swiss army knife
$35.00 -- tent
$12.00 -- space blanket (quantity: 2)
$??.00 -- fishing gear (Ronco pocket fisherman or as similar as possible, see http://www.ronco.com for details)
$??.00 -- food rations/concentrate (whatever money is left over, the lighter and more compact, the better)
$10.00 -- laminate sheets (quantity: 20)

I think we could reasonably assume (GM call) that before purchasing, I would skim through the survival guide I'm about to buy to get more ideas of essentials, and try to purchase them as well. What stuff does my survival guide list? Would http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survival_kit be a reasonable assumption for what a fancier survival guide would list?

Other stuff not on my original list that I would like to include if possible:

(*) binoculars
(*) magnifying glass
(*) first-aid kit
(*) survival kit (I believe that John II was taking us to an Army surplus place, wasn't he?)
(*) water-proof poncho
(*) flint (for starting fires)
(*) parachute chord
(*) water purification stuff
(*) waterproof matches
(*) mirror
(*) whistle
(*) portable outdoor cooking gear (collapsible pot/pan, spork, salt, spices?)

If you allow me to shop for these newly listed items, and if they bring me over $300.00, then I'll have to start prioritizing and making appropriate modifications to the list above.

Your feedback is most welcome...

Actually, I think you don't. Even though Scott fully intended to give it to you, he never did, and you never received it. I might think differently if it were an identifiable object. If Scott had purchased something unique he described to you (or sent you a mental image), and you accepted it based on that, I would at least give you a chance. What we're talking about here, though, is twenty of forty one-hundred dollar bills that he has in his pocket. I don't imagine either of you has a clue which twenty are yours. You can't own a theoretical object, only a real one.

Sorry. Things just took a strange turn. For what it's worth, you can take some consolation in the fact that it is looking very unlikely that Scott will manage to invest his share, either.

--M. J. Young

Why don't you ask Scott? He told me about the cash. Did he physically put "my" cash in a distinguishable place? IF he did, would I get a roll?

[Pope William T W...]

Why don't you ask Scott? He told me about the cash. Did he physically put "my" cash in a distinguishable place? IF he did, would I get a roll?

If I had an envelope to spare, then yes, I put "your" cash in a separate envelope. I'm particular about these things. (All the cash I got for Christmas from relatives is still sitting in a special basket on my dresser.) However, the fact remains that you never saw or handled this envelope, I never described it to you, and you have no way of knowing where it is or even if it in fact exists. MJ's call, obviously, but if it were my game, I'd say no.

For what it's worth, I was just heading out to pick up your jewelery when I saw the television broadcast about the 'Zilla. Also, the chances that I'll survive to spend the money for you have just gone up dramatically.

[Oak]

If I had an envelope to spare, then yes, I put "your" cash in a separate envelope. I'm particular about these things. (All the cash I got for Christmas from relatives is still sitting in a special basket on my dresser.) However, the fact remains that you never saw or handled this envelope, I never described it to you, and you have no way of knowing where it is or even if it in fact exists. MJ's call, obviously, but if it were my game, I'd say no.

For what it's worth, I was just heading out to pick up your jewelery when I saw the television broadcast about the 'Zilla. Also, the chances that I'll survive to spend the money for you have just gone up dramatically.

Unless you had already bought stuff before I versed out, I don't think I have any hope of getting it. The only question is if MJ thinks that cash you told me about and put aside specifically for me would verse with me. Is that good enough for even a roll? Well, it is indeed GM call, but I won't feel abused either way...

[Pope William T W...]

Unless you had already bought stuff before I versed out, I don't think I have any hope of getting it.

Surely you trust me to hang on to your material goods until we meet again?


I am a nit-picker, I pick nits . . .

[Oak]

Surely you trust me to hang on to your material goods...

Of course I do. No problems so far...

...until we meet again?

Hmmmm. Well, I certainly trust that you'll hang on to my stuff for me...

BUT... in this vast Multiverse, how likely is it that we will ever even end up going to the same universe, much less at the same time, much less successfully meet up with each other within it?

Though my previous message above was actually referring to the improbability of my getting anything now, as I verse out, when you didn't even buy it yet...

[Tadeusz]

I'd have Pope give it to a doppleganger of Oak in another universe, but thats just my sense of humor. And then maybe have Pope meet the real Oak in the next universe after...depending on the dice roll for the last, that is.

Eric

[Oak]

I'd have Pope give it to a doppleganger of Oak in another universe, but thats just my sense of humor. And then maybe have Pope meet the real Oak in the next universe after...depending on the dice roll for the last, that is.

Eric

This Eric is a GM who obviously needs a vacation...

[Pope William T W...]

BUT... in this vast Multiverse, how likely is it that we will ever even end up going to the same universe, much less at the same time, much less successfully meet up with each other within it?

I'm not sure if we're aware of it, but we're on the same cycle. We'll meet again, sure as eggs is eggs.

[M. J. Young]

Again Scott is right: you would not have known that "your" money was in an envelope at all, let alone that it was that envelope. It can only become yours when you accept it as a specific object. In this case, not only is there no basis on which you can identify that envelope as yours, you not only did not know that there was an envelope, you also did not know that objects had not yet been purchased with the money. Sorry, that's not going with you.

As Scott says, though, you are on the same cycle. You will meet again.

Making a list of what else you "purchased", this is where we stand:

$247.00 Cash total spent on items for which prices are established.
$60.00 Laminated survival guide
$15.00 Canteen, aluminum 4-quart
$8.00 Canteen, plastic 2-quart
$45.00 Swiss Army Knife, high-end model
$35.00 Tent (small enough to fit inside suitcase when collapsed), nylon with plastic collapsing pole frame and pegs, two-man 42"x80" rectangular base, 36" peak, nearly triangular from base to peak, zippered mosquito net doors and waterproof floor, all in one piece.
$12.00 2 Space Blankets
?? Ronco Pocket Fisherman
?? Food rations/concentrate, light and compact
$10.00 20 laminate sheets
$45.00 Binoculars in case, 5x
$8.00 Magnifying glass, 4" round with 6" handle, 3x
?? First Aid Kit
?? Survival Kit
?? Water proof poncho
$4.00 Flint & Steel in canvas pouch
?? Parachute cord
?? Water purification stuff
$5.00 Box 200 waterproof strike anywhere matches
?? Mirror
?? Whistle
?? Portable outdoor cooking gear (collapsible pot/pan, spork, salt, spices)

O.K., let's put the questions forward.

• Ronco Pocket Fisherman--actually, John II was trying to buy one of these, but could not get it on Sunday evening. I have to determine yet how much this is. It appears from the site that the list price would exhaust your remaining funds, but that the "list price" is a gimmick to make you feel like you're saving money, and it always sells for about half that. However, I need to mull on this for just a bit, since I'm sure John II will try to buy it again on the next game day, and we'll need to see what happens there. It would not do for me to give you one and then tell him they don't exist, or vice versa, so it's got to be decided once for both of you as part of play in that world.
• Food rations/concentrate have not been priced because you expressed the desire to spend "the remainder" on these, but then managed to list enough to exhaust any "remainder".
• First Aid Kits come in all sizes, shapes, and prices. You can get something for your pocket with a few bandaids, tape, gauze, and antibiotic ointment, or a large fishing-tackle sized box with everything a paramedic wants when he gets to the scene of an accident. The former sells for about $12, and the latter for about $800. You're going to have to be a lot more specific about what you want.
• Survival Kits are very much the sort of thing you build yourself, in my experience; at least, I don't recall ever seeing one for sale as such. That also means I don't know what would be in such a kit--although to some degree, I think it duplicates a lot of the stuff you're talking about buying separately (flint, matches, water purification).
  
  Since you'd have found it in that survival book, I'll note that most survival training comes down to what are considered the five essentials (air is generally assumed in these things):
  1. Water
  2. Food
  3. Fire
  4. Shelter
  5. Dry socks.

Your survival kit would probably contain something to help with at least some of these, but obviously could not cover all.

Water proof ponchos are also difficult to discuss. You can buy a thin lightweight plastic type that fits in a pocket-sized plastic pouch that is usually more durable than the poncho itself, and get a couple of uses out of it before it is torn and useless. You can get a heavier type that is built to last, fabric-lined much like a raincoat. There's probably a weight between the two, thicker plastic but not fabric. I don't yet have ideas on prices of the more expensive ones, but I'd say a dollar for the cheap one, about twelve for the middle, and twenty-five to thirty for the good quality.

Parachute cord presumable comes in quantities, and you didn't say whether you wanted five feet or five hundred feet, or something between these. I'm assuming nylon here, rather than silk.

Water purification stuff probably comes in three types, although I'm only familiar with two. The two basic ones are chlorine tablets and iodine tablets, both of which kill microscopic organisms and leave a bit of a chemical taste to the water. I vaguely recall someone coming up with a more effective and less flavored treatment, but I don't know what it was. Also, you can use liquid versions of these, which are more potent but less convenient. They're all a bit pricey, mostly because they're packaged for convenience. (You can purify your water with chlorine bleach, but it's tricky to use and difficult to carry with you.) I believe chlorine is the cheapest, the new stuff most expensive, and you get what you pay for.

Mirrors can be of many different sorts. The Boy Scouts sell a metal mirror in a plastic pouch which is adequate for getting a rough idea of your appearance, and for signalling. Men who shave at camp usually bring something better, and of course cosmetic suppliers have a variety of portable mirrors for women.

Whistles can be cheap plastic things or durable metal ones, and come in a variety of styles, most notably the round ones with the ball in them used by lifeguards, and the straighter ones used by bosuns and British police officers. Steel is probably the best, although softer metals and plastics produce a less shrill tone.

Portable outdoor cooking gear (collapsible pot/pan, spork, salt, spices)--well, mess kits are sold that are about the size of a two-quart canteen. Two flat-bottomed bowl-shaped aluminum pans fit together to make the case; one of these has a tab welded to it two which a bent bar attaches which serves as the clamp that seals the package and also as the handle to use that half as a frying pan, probably of just shy of one quart volume. Inside there is a small aluminum pot with a wire handle and a lid; the pot probably holds a pint, and the handle swings loosely. Inside the pot is a one cup cup with handle. When I was a young scout, these were durable aluminum; later the aluminum was replaced with a plastic cup that was calibrated for measuring quarter cups. Wing nuts secure it. That's probably a $15 piece of equipment. I'd wager for about $33 you can get a cook kit. This packs itself inside what is probably a six quart pot, its lid being a deep twelve inch frying pan. Eight aluminum plates, a smaller pot, probably a smaller fry pan and a yet smaller pot, and a stack of eight cups fit inside. Utensils are always separate, and foodstuffs/staples are also separate.l

Anyway, that's what I see at this point. Let me know your thoughts.

--M. J. Young

[M. J. Young]

It took me longer than expected to deal with John III's shopping list, partly due to the interruptions, but his game thread is first, so we'll move to that, and then to Kyler, then Scott and John II, theen Adam, and finally John I.

Sigh. I was really, really, hoping that the John 9 passage would point John III to the use of materials and actions. I'm sure that's the place where Jesus put mud on the man's eyes. Maybe I got it wrong. Anyway, Let me construct this ritual thus:[indent]Total Healing M+2@7 say, "I know you are with me, dearest LORD. Thank you that you are Sovereign, and that you love me, and that you have brought me here to this place, in these circumstances, that your works should be made manifest in me. Dearest LORD, you know my circumstances, and my needs. And you know my infirmities." Name aloud all the infirmities to be healed. Continue saying, "Dearest LORD, I prayed that you would guard and guide me, and you have brought this passage of Scripture to mind. I know that you may well desire me to continue with these afflictions for your own good purpose, as Paul did. But I know also that you may well choose to heal me if you so will, that your works should be made manifest in me. And so I pray that you would heal me, and make me whole again, if it is pleasing in your sight. But even more importantly, I pray for your will to be done, and that you would help me to follow it." Then sing, "Be still and know that I am God, Be still and know that I am God, Be still and know that I am God. I am the Lord that healeth thee, I am the Lord that healeth thee, I am the Lord that healeth thee. In thee, O Lord, I put my trust, In thee, O Lord, I put my trust, In thee, O Lord, I put my trust..." Inhale the surrounding air deeply, then say, "Thank you for hearing my prayers, dearest LORD. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ... Amen." 1:30 TF. Will cure damage, disease, and lost or damaged senses, but not lost limbs, attributes, or skills. Unfortunately, even if we allow lesser skills to be incorporated in a total healing package, we're still looking at a baseline 30:00 against a 1:30 ritual here, and we did not manage to induce him to include materials or actions in his prayer. However, we will give him the +10 bonus for following the direction of a deity. I can't really give him the example, because he did not follow it, but he's in an alliance world, which gives him another +10. He has -10 for single aspect, and -47 for the time factor. His bias is only 2@1, and he has a 2@2 BRA in a 7@ world. This is not going to happen, I think. A roll of 35 is not a botch, but the chance of success is 70-84=-14% on the ritual he used.

I'm wondering how much different it would have been had he included the mud. Probably I could only give him +1 for dirt and +1 for water (or spittle), but since the mud is destroyed that gives us +4. It also eliminates the -10 penalty for single aspect, so at that point he is at zero, plus the fact that this uses both hands, and that if he were simply trying to heal his eyes and not everything that's wrong with him it would be 2@6 for another point, so we're probably up to 4% chance to learn, and then we would include the example, which is probably 3@10, so he would have had a 44% chance to learn it, and the roll would have succeeded. But then, that's not the way he thinks about these things. Bob Mumford says that failure is part of the lesson, so let's review the lesson. Maybe we'll get something different. I roll 44 on his perfect memory skill (I know he didn't say he would use it, but I rolled it anyway), which since he's got a 2@1 BRA, 1@3 SAL, and +20 for reading his own mind, is a success.

Scott wants to see Godzilla from the air, but I'm not sure that's something he can do. I suppose we could give him a focus skill check, but since he does not have eagle eyes I'm going to have to treat this with a -20 sit-mod for the distance. 61 is rolled, against a 1@10 BRA, 7@ bias, and something in the mid 2@ for focus skill, which against the penalty means that he can't find it.

John II gets a 24 on cab availability, so he's not working tonight. He gets a 19 on finding the Ronco Pocket Fisherman, so it's available but on the pricey side--we'll say $45 for a Ronco Pocket Fisherman. That will be the price for John III, also.

I've got to move them closer to each other's timelines, but we'll manage.

I've got a lot of thoughts in connection with Adam, but how they play will depend on a GE roll, I think. 12 is good enough.

John I shakes his tail, figuratively speaking, and gets back to the hotel.

That was a very long time on this forum, relatively speaking, but there were quite a few interruptions, so I can't complain. I do have to remember what else I have to do tonight, though, which means shifting mental gears. Probably there's stuff awaiting somewhere.

--M. J. Young

[Oak]

Anyway, that's what I see at this point. Let me know your thoughts.

--M. J. Young

Sigh. Had I actually dealt with this properly back then, I would have seen that I hadn't requested enough cash, and tried to procure enough additional funds to get all the needed supplies. But I strongly suspect that is one boat I have indeed missed...

Difficult choices. OK, I need to stretch what I've got as far as possible. So I read the different survival guides in the store for ideas on what to buy, realise that I don't have enough cash, and decide to rely upon my Perfect Memory to recall the survival guide specifics. I downgrade or eliminate some previous choices. And I get...


$258.00 Cash total spent on items for which prices are established.
$15.00 Canteen, aluminum 4-quart
$19.00 Swiss Army Knife
$35.00 Tent (small enough to fit inside suitcase when collapsed), nylon with plastic collapsing pole frame and pegs, two-man 42"x80" rectangular base, 36" peak, nearly triangular from base to peak, zippered mosquito net doors and waterproof floor, all in one piece.
$12.00 2 Space Blankets
$45.00 Ronco Pocket Fisherman (I assume that includes needed hooks and line?)
$45.00 Binoculars in case, 5x
$ 8.00 Magnifying glass, 4" round with 6" handle, 3x
$12.00 First Aid Kit (how much more to include oxytetracycline tablets (for diarrhea or infection), aspirin, and insect repellent?)
$25.00 Water proof poncho
$ 4.00 Flint & Steel in canvas pouch
$ 5.00 Box 200 waterproof strike anywhere matches
$33.00 Portable outdoor cooking gear

?? Parachute cord (500 feet?)
?? Water purification stuff (chlorine bleach)
?? Mirror (good enough to shave with)
?? Whistle (plastic)

?? Wool socks (I have plenty at home, but didn't previously put that on the list of gear that versed with me. Does that mean that I've missed the boat?)
?? Spork
?? Cooking/cleaning knife
?? Whetting stone
?? Wristwatch (as inexpensive as possible; no batteries required; either wind-up or solar powered)

?? Food rations/concentrate, light and compact (how much cash is left?)

If I don't have enough cash, I suppose the binoculars will go next. After that, I'd have to consider further.

BTW, on a different subject, there is one thing I realize I forgot to mention yet for my character sheet. One specific consequence of my allergies these days is that, left to their own devices, my eyelids will start to get quite dry, and eventually the skin will start to crack. I keep this under control with a moisturizing gel that doesn't cause eye irritation. So that means: (1) this moisturing gel would have versed with me from my original world, (2) this should be listed under my weaknesses, and (3) this is part of what I am trying to heal as I put the clay upon my eyelids.

[M. J. Young]

Sigh. Had I actually dealt with this properly back then, I would have seen that I hadn't requested enough cash, and tried to procure enough additional funds to get all the needed supplies. But I strongly suspect that is one boat I have indeed missed.

Yes, it would be problematic to back-write it at this point, particularly as I don't remember what you were doing instead. For example, it would be very difficult to say that you skipped one of your psionics lessons in order to go shopping, because we don't know what that means you would not have learned. So yes, you missed that boat.

I read the different survival guides in the store for ideas on what to buy, realise that I don't have enough cash, and decide to rely upon my Perfect Memory to recall the survival guide specifics.

You are actually reading portions of the books, right? This is more than simply looking at the pages in the hope that you will be able to reproduce the image in your mind clearly enough to read later, but less than reading the entire book, yes?

Oxytetracycline is a controlled substance in our world; however, on a GE roll of 12, you can buy a bottle of 50 over the counter, low dosage take 2 every 4 hours, for $30. Asprin is $3 for a small bottle (25), and insect repellent in a spray can runs $8.

As to the rest:

Oak's B Monster Movie World Shopping List
$304.50 Cash expenditure total (<$300)
$15.00 Canteen, aluminum 4-quart
$19.00 Swiss Army Knife, high-end model
$35.00 Tent (small enough to fit inside suitcase when collapsed), nylon with plastic collapsing pole frame and pegs, two-man 42"x80" rectangular base, 36" peak, nearly triangular from base to peak, zippered mosquito net doors and waterproof floor, all in one piece.
$12.00 2 Space Blankets
$45.00 Ronco Pocket Fisherman
$45.00 Binoculars in case, 5x
$8.00 Magnifying glass, 4" round with 6" handle, 3x
$12.00 First Aid Kit fits in pocket, with a few bandaids, tape, gauze, and antibiotic ointment
$25.00 Water proof poncho, good quality durable
$4.00 Flint & Steel in canvas pouch
$5.00 Box 200 waterproof strike anywhere matches
$33.00 Portable outdoor cooking gear (collapsible pot/pan, spork, salt, spices)
$29.00 Parachute cord 500'
$1.00 Qt. Chlorine bleach in plastic bottle
$5.00 Glass shaving mirror in protective metal casing with cover
$0.50 Plastic whistle with ball
no Wool socks, $5/pair
no Spork--hard item to find, usually people by $3 fork/knife/spoon clip together sets. You can get a spork for $5.
$3.00 Cooking/cleaning knife
$1.00 Whet stone
$7.00 Cheap wind-up wristwatch
no Food rations/concentrate, light and compact, ~$3/day

One specific consequence of my allergies these days is that, left to their own devices, my eyelids will start to get quite dry, and eventually the skin will start to crack. I keep this under control with a moisturizing gel that doesn't cause eye irritation. So that means: (1) this moisturing gel would have versed with me from my original world, (2) this should be listed under my weaknesses, and (3) this is part of what I am trying to heal as I put the clay upon my eyelids.

1. Moisturizing gel has now been added to your equipment.
2. Surprisingly, you had no trouble with your allergies the entire time you were in the B Movie world; however, it has been noted on your character paper.
3. Focus on healing the eyes, and not everything at once. The thing about effective prayer is to figure out exactly what it is you want and pray for that, not to throw everything you could conceive of wanting out at once and hope for something.

--M. J. Young

[M. J. Young]

Now that I have dealt further equipment, I will turn back to the game, where John I leads the pack, then John III, Adam, and then John III, Scott, and Graeme.

I don't really want to tell John what his GE roll was, because if he knew it was 24 he would immediately expect trouble--and he's not going to see the trouble immediately. But we'll get him pointed the right direction for it.

John III rolls 81, but he has packed so much into this prayer, including an hour, singing, dirt, spittle, water, example, I'm not going to calculate the chance of success because I'm sure that's in there. We've got 1@3 Total Healing M+2@7 extended 1:00:00 ritual see post on 4/2/7 in An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest for details.

Adam is probably about to give his wife a big kiss.

The question for John II is whether the price of gold is stable or not. 19 is close enough that I'm not going to quibble. We'll raise silver a dollar.

John is attempting to turn one lead fishing weight into gold. His roll is 63. His bias is 4@7, BRA 2@2, world area bias 15@, and the skill he's attempting is--well, I'm not going to say, but to say that his total of 84 minus the bias of a transmute metals skill is a negative chance of success. Sorry, Charlie. That's why we try to figure out how to work up to these things slowly. His chance to botch was something around eleven or twelve percent, so he's safe on that count, at least.

Scott rolls 75 trying to contact John III, whom he can't contact anyway but doesn't know that. His retry rolls 95, but he's got at least a 41 percent chance of success so that's not a botch. I decided to give him an intuition check on identifying vectors from the jewelry store, since he miscounted the number of versers. I will give him some vector count.

He gets an 18 GE roll on the pet store.

I seem to recall that Graeme is still riding on a decent GE roll, so we'll keep the ride going.

I think I like what I see.

--M. J. Young

[John A1nut]

So you're saying it's impossible for me, at my current state, to transmute metals. Is there such a thing as a skill so easy it's impossible to fail?