GURPS Does Sherlock Holmes by Olympus RPG Group

 Just watched this posting by Olympus RPG Group of a unarmed combat between Robert Downy Jr. and Mercado.  Its a good analysis and walk through that explains the moves in GURPS terms- showing how well GURPS can model the fight.

GURPS Next Kickstarter! Pyramid Scheme

 I been waiting to see when this was announced and it will launch after Christmas which is great for those who spent money on presents and such. The Kickstarter link shows little info so far but a comment was added to a previous kickstarter with more detail > See that here.

Some great ideas just dont need enough word count to fill up a full supplement and this kind of thing gives them a chance to see daylight. I wrote an article for the Magic issue called Supernatural Energy which I'll hint is two old ideas, one submitted to Pyramid but cut for space and the other drafted but never sent in before Pyramid went away as a monthly issue. It has utility for any magic system, though more for certain ones such as Powers based magic. It addresses two concepts, both been talked about from time to time  and one very dear to my heart. The titles and authors are intriguing and this is a solid must buy for me.

TTJP Episode 21 Spiders and Bombs, Oh My

 

Casting: Tiger Team!

• Jian Wu (Two) (Christian) 14M; Our smith and all around craftsman, carries a huge sword and Master of Dragon Man Kung Fu.
• Jiao Ting (Eight) (Chris D) 14M; Reckless grappler; Black Palm
• Liang Jing Min (Five) (Randy) 14M; Noble, on the outs with family; Chinese Spear Fighting.
• Nongmin Chushi (Seven) (Rory) 14M; He talks to spirits, inquisitive and charming perhaps a wee bit too friendly to strangers. Shaman, Eagle Fist Chin Na, Quarterstaff.
• Shang Yi (One) (Calvin) 14M; Natural leader and archer. Shedao
• Zhiyu Zhige (Nine) (Laurie) 14F; Sorcerer specializing in healing. Eagle Fist Chin Na.
• He Bohi (Eleven) 14M; Twin, grew up near the docks. Eagle Fist Chin Na, focused on striking.
• He Donghai (Twelve) 14M;, Twin, Eagle Fist Chin Na, focused on grappling.
• Ko Lanfen (Four) 14F; Solid Order devotee. Tai Chi Chuan,
• Laoshu (Three aka Mouse) 15F; Quiet and deadly with a knife. Dagger Fighting
• Meiyou Ren (Six) 14M; Also good with a blade, possibly any blade.
• Rang Baozhai (Ten) 15F; Our bookworm and nerd. Eagle Fist Chin Na and Xiangliu's Bite (Crossbow).
• Were down one player, Randy due to eye issues :(

Behold the Sewers!

We enter a narrow short tunnel into a really nice room that must be some maintenance or smugglers bolt hole. From there is a door into the sewers proper.  Very nice map! The sewers have walk ways on each side of the narrow canal and there is a small boat nearby. We took some light crystals from the previous encounter and Chushi takes lead as he and Yi have the best vision. As he rounds a corner though he gets jumped by a giant demon spider. He immediately goes down from the massive bite and poison. The rest of the team charges to the rescue and the spider drops his limp body to defend itself. Zhige heals him, and pretty much everyone during the fight (Chushi needs to bake her some cookies) and we kill I think 8 spiders. 

• Yi suggests Chushi use his powers to levitate a light crystal to see farther down the tunnels, really good idea.  He should have led with that.
• Ting naturally takes the most damage, though this time most of it is not self inflicted! Edit: Corrected by an indignant Ting, All his damage was indeed self inflicted, spiders never laid a claw or mandible on him!
• Zhige burns a spider but is mostly our MVP through her healing.
• Ren and Wu both have trouble holding onto their swords in the damp environment (critical failures)
• Everyone kills a spider, even Chushi who uses his staff so he can parry. I think Ting got the most kills this time due to some dropped weapons.

Desperate fun was had by all.

One Out of Three?

After the fight Chushi tracks down the cultists using his phenomenal Tracking skill, aided by Discriminatory Smell and Profiling on his smell (Thank you GURPS Powers: Enhanced Senses) and the group is led to the central administration building.  Guards out front but the cultists appear to be in the back.  We stealthily sneak up but find a dead guard and look inside.  Place is full of dead people and Chushi smells a burning fuze and rushes over behind some crates. Using his Spirit Hands (TK) power he pulls the fuze out of the barrel, preventing the explosion.  There is a clockwork device on top and Wu checks that out. Turns out it was the timer and so is now harmless as it cant light the fuze anymore.

We then hear a series of distant explosions. Using our memory of the map we determine two big ones (we can see the smoke) were the grainery and the library, numerous other small fires went off as well. The group splits up, Zhige leads a team to the library, Yi leads another to the grainery, and Chushi stays behind to report the status to the Minister of Affairs and get someone to take possession of the gunpowder in the administration building. After that he organizes some local city spirits and citizens to help put out fires. Once the main fires are out we all meet back at the Starlight Tea House.

We are wondering what happened to the twins and Mouse when the lanterns all flicker out and some writing appears in the air telling us they have been captured and we must meet the cultists somewhere to rescue them. We obviously haven't stopped their plans but apparently we did enough to annoy them and get their attention.

Also Chushi is disappointed in Mouse.  She is apparently not a great babysitter/protector.

Aftermath

Another fun game, though we were disappointed that we saved an empty building. Everyone there was already dead by the time we arrived and though the central meeting house is important as a symbol it was arguably less important than the central library or grainery. But the govt people will likely appreciate it, and it will help them organize recovery efforts faster.

The rescue is up next, Calvin's eye is better so we should have a full crew but they likely know our full number and something of our abilities. Hopefully we have a few surprises for them though.

An Open Letter to President Elect Joe Biden

 Congratulations on your victory. I am in Oklahoma and voted for Sen. Sanders during the Primary but you in the General. Anyone was better than a draft dodger in the WH and one who has damaged my country so much. As a veteran real patriotism and the betterment of America are important to me. Not the token pretend patriotism I see from so many politicians but the real deal, where you put country before yourself or your political party. I feel Senator McCain was the last Republican at the federal level who was truly patriotic.

So I ask you, what do you want out of your term run on policy, minimum wage of $15, some vague incremental climate change idea, and the vague sole of the country. I think your dead wrong that McConnel will work with you, he blocked President Obama and cares only for personal power and his party, America is demonstrably not important to his ideology. Even if the Dems win GA Manchin will sabotage any efforts as he is really a republican.  Given all this how will you deal with it and try to accomplish?

Do you want to be loved by your peers?  Beloved by most Americans? I dont feel in the toxic hole that is D.C. the former is really possible and the latter will require something significant. If McConnel has his way you will be remembered as a do nothing and ineffectual President who served his time, probably helped with the economic recovery from the pandemic but oversaw another devastating lossto working class Americans like under President Bush. Congress will make sure the Banks and big corporations survive and get wealthier, but millions of people will have lost their jobs, homes, health, and/or lives. History will likely not blame McConnel or Pelosi in the long term, though as she saw in losing the House we blame her now.  Ask yourself, do you really care about America more than most politicians?  I think you do but in an effort to get along will let others continue to sell the country out.

Would you like to be remembered as one of the most beloved Presidents in US history?  Here is how, despite the forces arrayed against you and the country.

Invoke the section under the AHCA that lets you give Medicare to everyone during the pandemic.  Millions of Americans lost their health care when they lost their jobs. This will save thousands of lives, probably more. BigPharma and the Congress they bought and paid for will scream but most Americans, even republicans want it. Sanders almost won on that alone (plus we admire his integrity) and it took him playing softball and some shady stuff by insurance/pharma and the politicians and media they control to kill his campaign. If COVID had happened earlier even that would not have worked, you know this if your honest with yourself.  Its popular and saves lives, the only counter is it costs too much.  But ask those who complain how much is an American life worth? And it will be great for the economy, business no longer having to deal with health care suddenly makes small business more viable and competitive, people stop using ERs for primary care, and people get healthier so are more productive.  Medical bankruptcies also go away.

Lets say your reluctant to do that and instead of being the President who saved America you would rather be known as the one who saved Obama Care. Ok, The dems under Pelosi will keep losing seats as the base replaces corporate republican lite democrats with progressives and 2022 will try to salvage it. Personally I prefer the third party option, but oh well I'm in a minority - for now. Maybe President Ro Khana or President Nina Turner will get it done and be the next FDR. 

But even if your unwilling to do what you clearly can by executive order under the law use it to force Congress to take the pandemic seriously and get something meaningful done within your first few weeks as President. With Medicare for All as the alternative, even if only for the duration of the pandemic Congress will be pressured by Insurance and Pharma to come up with anything and everything to counter your threat.  It will likely be the biggest win of your career, IF they believe you will do it.

You can put America back on its way and save millions of Americans from further suffering but only if your bold enough.  Do you want to be?

There are many things you can do and Trump has shown it and the Republicans will come across as hypocrites for complaining (that wont stop them of course).

• Government Reform through establishing a transparency cabinet or department that posts information from agencies like the FEC, FCC, FTC, FBI statistics, Labor statistics, and reports from all govt watch dogs, including Inspector Generals.  Make this information easily and readily available to every citizen, even those with weak computer skills and that will help curb the corruption that is poisoning our country.
• Infrastructure combined with climate change and a jobs program.  Lots of plans, including your outline so enough said here but this is vital not just for combatting climate change but jump starting job growth once the pandemic is dealt with.  You'll get fights on it, go to their districts and tell people how climate change related disasters cost lives and money. Also, the world is moving ahead of us on electric cars and solar tech, we ether invest or get left behind and lose jobs over it.  For any fiscal conservatives that may be left point out better jobs means higher tax revenue.

Please Mr. Biden, ignore the naysayers and fight those who want to destroy America and save this great country! If your bold enough you have a real chance to do it.

TTJP Episode 20 Oh the Smell!

 

Casting: Tiger Team!

• Jian Wu (Two) (Christian) 14M; Our smith and all around craftsman, carries a huge sword and Master of Dragon Man Kung Fu.
• Jiao Ting (Eight) (Chris D) 14M; Reckless grappler; Black Palm
• Liang Jing Min (Five) (Randy) 14M; Noble, on the outs with family; Chinese Spear Fighting.
• Nongmin Chushi (Seven) (Rory) 14M; He talks to spirits, inquisitive and charming perhaps a wee bit too friendly to strangers. Shaman, Eagle Fist Chin Na, Quarterstaff.
• Shang Yi (One) (Calvin) 14M; Natural leader and archer. Shedao
• Zhiyu Zhige (Nine) (Laurie) 14F; Sorcerer specializing in healing. Eagle Fist Chin Na.
• He Bohi (Eleven) 14M; Twin, grew up near the docks. Eagle Fist Chin Na, focused on striking.
• He Donghai (Twelve) 14M;, Twin, Eagle Fist Chin Na, focused on grappling.
• Ko Lanfen (Four) 14F; Solid Order devotee. Tai Chi Chuan,
• Laoshu (Three aka Mouse) 15F; Quiet and deadly with a knife. Dagger Fighting
• Meiyou Ren (Six) 14M; Also good with a blade, possibly any blade.
• Rang Baozhai (Ten) 15F; Our bookworm and nerd. Eagle Fist Chin Na and Xiangliu's Bite (Crossbow).

Save the Water!

After reconnecting with each other the bulk of the team heads to the cisterns which has been identified as a likely target.  We enter only to find the place stinks and has already been sabotaged!

Exploring the tunnels we spot something like a water elemental with mud, Chushi greets it pleasantly. Unfortunately, it is less than friendly and vomits sewage at Chushi who manages to dodge.

As Zhige prepares a foxfire spell, Yi puts a two arrows into it, Wu slaps it with the side of his blade, Ting slams it (ewww) for enough to knock it down to a puddle, which he then jumps into (again, ewww). Another appears and vomits all over Wu (crit failed his Dodge),who falls down and is nauseated. 

Another comes out from behind the one Ting is swimming in and attacks Ting before Chushi finally gets an attack and he projects his spirit at the one on Wu (TK Punch, Dodge at -4) hurting it a little- though at least Chushi does not have to get his hands dirty!

Jing Min then tries to stab it but it dodges, Ren then does Rapid Strikes, and Zhige closes the deal by tossing a fireball at rearmost excremental which explodes and causes a massive explosion taking out all the rest (including ones we hadn't even seen yet) and encompassing most of the party.  Most of us try to duck under the water, Bohi and Zhige fail taking the most damage from the friendly fire.

We have a Healer!

After all those explosions, everyone needed some healing but luckily we have a rather capable healer. We nervously continue and find no more but the cistern is polluted. Chushi tries calling for water elementals to see if they can clean the place up and save the water supply. He starts scooping out debris while calling out and as one arrives he asks it to cleanse the place.  Getting a Good reaction roll several show up (apparently the city had them here already but they were bound till we killed the excrementals) and they clean the water and the party.

On to the Sewers!

Our next mission was the sewers, trouble is they are all over the city so we need intel. We send the twins out to ask around as they know the city and Zhige does divination.

About dawn we arrive at an inn Zhige led us too. Casing the place we enter through all the entrances with Chushi coming in from the roof.  We easily sneak past the guards and takeout the 16 cultists, then go back for the guards later.  Determining the inn is really a brothel and they dug out an entrance to the sewers from the basement where we also find a bunch of barrels with black powder.  After tying everyone up we send for a messenger and call in the Minister of Affairs to take custody.  Then we head into the sewers to try and catch the ones who are apparently placing bombs on the rich side of town.

But thats for next session...

TTJP Season 1 Episode 19 Expert Diplomacy!

 

Casting: Tiger Team!

• Jian Wu (Two) (Christian) 14M; Our smith and all around craftsman, carries a huge sword and Master of Dragon Man Kung Fu.
• Jiao Ting (Eight) (Chris D) 14M; Reckless grappler; Black Palm
• Liang Jing Min (Five) (Randy) 14M; Noble, on the outs with family; Chinese Spear Fighting.
• Nongmin Chushi (Seven) (Rory) 14M; He talks to spirits, inquisitive and charming perhaps a wee bit too friendly to strangers. Shaman, Eagle Fist Chin Na, Quarterstaff.
• Shang Yi (One) (Calvin) 14M; Natural leader and archer. Shedao
• Zhiyu Zhige (Nine) (Laurie) 14F; Sorcerer specializing in healing. Eagle Fist Chin Na.
• He Bohi (Eleven) 14M; Twin, grew up near the docks. Eagle Fist Chin Na, focused on striking.
• He Donghai (Twelve) 14M;, Twin, Eagle Fist Chin Na, focused on grappling.
• Ko Lanfen (Four) 14F; Solid Order devotee. Tai Chi Chuan,
• Laoshu (Three aka Mouse) 15F; Quiet and deadly with a knife. Dagger Fighting
• Meiyou Ren (Six) 14M; Also good with a blade, possibly any blade.
• Rang Baozhai (Ten) 15F; Our bookworm and nerd. Eagle Fist Chin Na.

Having dispatched the cultists at the Rats Nest our plucky band regroups at the teahouse.  Rang has been hard at work mapping out the city and figuring out vulnerable locations. She made a fresh map based on the days research and identified the cisterns and a few other places we should watch.

Discussing among ourselves we involve the inn keeper and show him the list. We decide to go to the Minister of Affairs to warn him and get his help. Rang continues her work in the meantime.

Opening Remarks

We quickly reach the home of the Minister of Affairs but its very late and the guard tells us to come back tomorrow. The Minister has no time for a bunch of kids, especially this late at night. Chushi decides since conversation does not seem to work and the guard would have to explain to his superiors why he let us in even if he does that something dramatic is in order.  Also the player couldnt think of a more reasoned argument to justify waking his boss up on the account of a handful of strangers. Chushi channels his spirit pressure into lifting the guard gently a foot off the ground and setting him back down. The guard acts as if he was attacked (Ok thats fair) and surprisingly breathes fire on Chushi, burning his face severely! He makes his HT roll to stay conscious and not fall down. Zhige quickly heals him fully and Wu goes to cut the rope to the alarm bell as the guard tries to ring it, cutting part of the bell on the downstroke. Chushi then uses Diplomacy (skill 20) to deescalate the situation by pointing out that he did not mean to attack the guard but just demonstrate they were not average street youths.  Also his compliments on the breath of fire, good job there.

Between his high margin of success and the capability just demonstrated by three different members of the group the guard opts to let us in.

The Minister of Affairs

Were taken to the library where we are greeted by the Ministers assistant, who was surprised we were let in but apparently trusted the guard (who appeared to be head of security, though we weren't told that). We told our story and were asked for proof, surprisingly none of us really had thought that part through. I mention were 14 and raised in a monastery? We suggested the bodies should still be at the Rats Nest, another suggested he consult the noble whose daughter we recued but Chushi pointed out he was already gone - though his sudden departure might be some corroboration at least. While discussing these things the Minister showed up and got involved.  The assistant tried to shoo him off but he was intrigued by our presence, also Zhige turned on the charm, shes really beautiful when she wants to be. How come we never noticed?  FYI she has Transcendent Appearance though somehow the group never noticed... The guard comes back with word that what we told him was true and the Minister is given a copy of our list (yes we made sure he wasn't on it) and writes up papers giving us authority as his representatives in certain matters. Yi uses his whistle to send a message to Rang (Chushi made it, an air spirit can send words to whomever you think of), whereupon the Minister exclaims there are more of us?  We say yes and explain that part. He pulls out more papers adding Rang and the others to the list, plus giving her access to official records and the library.

We thank him and head out. Oh, the Minister was very nice, even had his servants give Ting a new robe since his was burned pretty badly.  Ting not really thrilled but took the finery stoically enough.

Aftermath

Short session really. We show up on the call about 30 minutes before game time to chat but that went on longer than normal and we apparently went off script a bit and the GM has to prepare the chosen location for the next fight.  Great game, plenty of social stuff which is what Chushi was built for but everyone had something to do. Most of the players have at least one social skill and some innate reaction bonuses so were all good in social situations, even Ting!

Stardust class

 

Made by Stardust Enterprises  this is their signature starship and their first product. A small fast 2 man cargo ship designed to haul small but precious cargo, often emergency medical supplies. It is capable of 3g acceleration and delivering 9 tons of refrigerated cargo and 9 extra tons at normal temperature.

It is streamlined and has contragravity lifters so is able to land almost anywhere, especially with its short length of 45 feet.

TL 10^ SM+5, $1,834.5k

Front Hull System

[1] Nanocomposite Armor (SL dDR 5).

[2-6] Cargo Holds, Refrigerated (1.5 tons capacity each).

[core] Control Room (C6 computers, comm/sensor 4, one control stations).

Central Hull System

[1] Nanocomposite Armor (SL dDR 5).

[2-5] Cargo Holds (1.5 tons capacity each).

[6] Power Plant, Antimatter (4!).

Rear Hull System

[1] Nanocomposite Armor (SL dDR 5).

[2-3] Cargo Holds (1.5 tons capacity each).

[4-6!] Hot Reactionless Drive (3G acceleration).

[core] Control Room (C6 computers, comm/sensor 4, one control stations).

Special: Artificial and Contragravity system, Contragravity Lifter.

TTJP Season 1 Episode 18 The Rats Nest

Casting: Tiger Team!

• Jian Wu (Two) (Christian) 14M; Our smith and all around craftsman, carries a huge sword and Master of Dragon Man Kung Fu.
• Jiao Ting (Eight) (Chris D) 14M; Reckless grappler; Black Palm
• Liang Jing Min (Five) (Randy) 14M; Noble, on the outs with family; Chinese Spear Fighting.
• Nongmin Chushi (Seven) (Rory) 14M; He talks to spirits, inquisitive and charming perhaps a wee bit too friendly to strangers. Shaman, Eagle Fist Chin Na, Quarterstaff.
• Shang Yi (One) (Calvin) 14M; Natural leader and archer. Shedao
• Zhiyu Zhige (Nine) (Laurie) 14F; Sorcerer specializing in healing. Eagle Fist Chin Na.
• He Bohi (Eleven) 14M; Twin, grew up near the docks. Eagle Fist Chin Na, focused on striking.
• He Donghai (Twelve) 14M;, Twin, Eagle Fist Chin Na, focused on grappling.
• Ko Lanfen (Four) 14F; Solid Order devotee. Tai Chi Chuan,
• Laoshu (Three aka Mouse) 15F; Quiet and deadly with a knife. Dagger Fighting
• Meiyou Ren (Six) 14M; Also good with a blade, possibly any blade.
• Rang Baozhai (Ten) 15F; Our bookworm and nerd. Eagle Fist Chin Na.

Fourteen Year Old Masterminds

After the conversation with the minister Zhige did some divination and interpreted the results as we needed to look for a rats nest. Bohi (or was it Donghai?) knew about an old inn called the Rats Nest that had burned down years ago. Sounded like a plan to us! We gathered everyone for a raid on the place, leaving Rang and Bohi at the Starlight Inn to keep researching. Yi could use his speaking whistle to reach them if they were needed.

The party arrived at the burned out inn which appeared to be converted to a grave yard. One wall had a huge hole in it you could march 3 people through side by side and there were tables made from coffins and other stuff that would make a goth person proud. Not that we knew of such things of course!

Mouse used her powers to turn into a mouse and sneak in to explore the place.  She quickly came back and gave us the layout, though we could see a lot of it ourselves.  All in all it was a good sized inn and had 10 cultists and 8 bone demons it it, plus the daughter who was tied up in a small tower like room on one side. Zhige and Chushi briefed the others on what they could expect from the demons, basically really strong and dont get stung! We opted to have Mouse sneak in through a window to rescue the daughter (as a human, not a mouse so she could attack right away) and half the group would rush in through the hole in the wall which was close to the room she was in. The other half would break in the front door as a distraction and try to split them up.

While group B snuck up towards the hole, group A went for the door, and Yi provided covering fire from behind some coffin tables. He also led off with a great Tactics roll that gave us 10 die rerolls to use. We needed them, used 9 I think.

Group A: Ting, Wu, and Chushi (He planned on gong through the hole but was too slow)

Group B: Jing Min, Zhige, Donghai, Lanfen, and Ren.

The Attack Begins!

Wu broke the door down with his sword (probably weighs more than the door) making enough racket to catch everyone's attention. He got two fireballs tossed at him for his trouble which he handily dodged then parried a demons tail. Ting then slammed a bone demon after jumping over the fire pit in the entrance and smacked it real good. Then he used Extra Attack to hit it crippling its leg. Chushi followed up by stepping onto the porch and tried to Rapid Strike with his spirit projection (TK) but missed. Used a reroll to hit and hit for 7 damage.

Group B led by Jing Min rushed in through the breech in the wall and stabbed a bone demon. Ren went and cut off the tail on another demon. Yi plinked a demon with a couple of arrows. Bohi kicked one in the head. The demons then countered, two attacking Ying Min the rest just had one each.

That was pretty much the first round f combat, lets hit the highlights.

• Ting had the shiniest moment when he took two fireballs and got set on fire. He followed that up by standing up after being knocked down (also at negative HP) and used Intimidation on a couple of cultists and a demon. A cultist actually fainted!
• Wu shattered a few skeletons and cut a cultist pretty much in two.

Afterwards

Overall we did well, the GM expected it to be a two session fight but we cleared it in one. Everyone contributed meaningfully. Zhige saved a few people with her healing plus used her fireballs to explode a demon. We also found out why she was chasing fireflies as she used a shield to protect herself. Yi was really helpful with that Tactics skill.  The GM tended to roll really well and critted several times (at least 16 times), the rerolls allowed us to use our defense rolls. The scariest moment was the first hit by a fireball - they hurt quite a bit and were a bigger threat than the demons.

Chushi just used his TK to punch as ST 12 was too low to risk a grab but probably should have tried it on the cultists. I forgot they get an effective penalty from trying to break out of a two-handed grab.

 We saved the fainting cultist for interrogation next session.

It was a fun session but pretty much all combat so was more fun playing than reading about.

TTJP Season 1 Episode 17 A Trip to Town

 

Casting: Tiger Team!

• Jian Wu (Two) (Christian) 14M; Our smith and all around craftsman, carries a huge sword and Master of Dragon Man Kung Fu.
• Jiao Ting (Eight) (Chris D) 14M; Reckless grappler; Black Palm
• Liang Jing Min (Five) (Randy) 14M; Noble, on the outs with family; Chinese Spear Fighting.
• Nongmin Chushi (Seven) (Rory) 14M; He talks to spirits, inquisitive and charming perhaps a wee bit too friendly to strangers. Shaman, Eagle Fist Chin Na, Quarterstaff.
• Shang Yi (One) (Calvin) 14M; Natural leader and archer. Shedao
• Zhiyu Zhige (Nine) (Laurie) 14F; Sorcerer specializing in healing. Eagle Fist Chin Na.
• He Bohi (Eleven) 14M; Twin, grew up near the docks. Eagle Fist Chin Na, focused on striking.
• He Donghai (Twelve) 14M;, Twin, Eagle Fist Chin Na, focused on grappling.
• Ko Lanfen (Four) 14F; Solid Order devotee. Tai Chi Chuan,
• Laoshu (Three aka Mouse) 15F; Quiet and deadly with a knife. Dagger Fighting
• Meiyou Ren (Six) 14M; Also good with a blade, possibly any blade.
• Rang Baozhai (Ten) 15F; Our bookworm and nerd. Eagle Fist Chin Na.

Training Montage

So the group went through 3 years of training, mostly under Pai Mei - though most had another teacher as well for a specific style. Chushi and Zhige also continued training under the Green Seer.

Several of the group learned Eagle Fist Chin Na from Pai Mei, though Zhige was by far the best at it. That annoyed Pai Mei quite a bit and we had a lot of extra stair climbing because of it.

Chushi learned more shamanism but was held back a little by the Green Seer who wants him stronger before learning more advanced material.  Or wiser, wiser is good, but she is not holding out much hope for that. So he learned how to project his spirit more quickly and for longer, lift more with his telekinesis, and how to shield his mind,  Also he made two fetishes for his friends.

A Test in Town

The group is taken to the portal chamber and sent to a port city. Turns out to be where the twins were born and the seedy side of town. We're handed a bunch of gold, a coin at a time (did I mention its a seedy side of town?) and told to deliver it and a note to a teahouse on the other side of town. Oh, and were not allowed to fight, except in self defense IF there is no other choice and will be watched and judged based on how quickly we get there and any fighting.

As soon as Pai Mei leaves a bunch of street thugs at the entrance of the alley we arrived in come towards us. We opt to climb the walls of the three story buildings to avoid a fight, everyone making the Climbing skill roll and many of the thigs failing.  Zhige grabs one and does a Judo throw as he ran to her, tossing him back towards his friends.  They give up and leave as we run quickly across the rooftops.

We arrive at the teahouse with no further difficulty and are told we have the rest of the day off and rooms reserved for us. Also we can use the gold to pay for meals and whatever. Zhige took Mouse clothes shopping, the rest stayed at the inn.  We had a great meal with Chushi trying everything and figuring out the recipes for later use (Discriminatory Taste with Profiling and Cooking -17). The bar had an open entertainment, first up were some bad poets so several members of the group decided to get up and try our singing and dancing. Chushi decided to channel a spirit to help with local music and when the group got back to the table the owner remarked it was an old favorite and dinner was free.

Some people got too drunk and had to be escorted upstairs. Rang tried to kiss Ting, while Jing Min kept speculating this was all part of the test and made sure to drink and eat in moderation. We had a great nights sleep, though most still got up early.

Trouble Brewing

In the morning as we have breakfast and overhear a customer begging the owner for help. Some mention of the gates being down is made. Zhige tests and her magic works but is a bit sluggish. Chushi and Yi go up and ask what the conversation was all about and after a bit of demurement overcome by good reaction rolls get an address and a few of us head out. We talk to the guy, his daughter was kidnapped by the Black Silk group as hostage for his information.  Turns out he was working for them, giving them information on local business and government people.  He got nervous and backed out but was too late.  We offer to see what we can do and the evening ends.

TTJP Season1 Episode 16 The Next Step

 

Casting: Tiger Team!

• Jian Wu (Two) (Christian) 11M; Smith and guy with huge sword
• Jiao Ting (Eight) (Chris D) 11M; Reckless grappler
• Liang Jing Min (Five) (Randy) 11M; Noble, on the outs with family
• Nongmin Chushi (Seven) (Rory) 11M; He talks to spirits, inquisitive and charming more than creepy, despite possibly being insane. Perhaps a wee bit too friendly to strangers.
• Shang Yi (One) (Calvin) 11M; Natural leader and archer.
• Zhiyu Zhige (Nine) (Laurie) 11F; Sorcerer specializing in healing.
• He Bohi (Eleven) 11M; Twin, grew up near the docks.
• He Donghai (Twelve) 11M;, Twin, powerful grappler
• Ko Lanfen (Four) 11F; Solid Order devotee.
• Laoshu (Three aka Mouse) 12F; Quiet and deadly with a knife.
• Meiyou Ren (Six) 11M; Also good with a blade, possibly any blade.
• Rang Baozhai (Ten) 14F; Our bookworm and nerd.

Blood for Teacher!

So our intrepid and scrappy band of bald headed 11 year olds heads back to the arena for some sparring.  Everyone will participate in a unarmed duel, the sorcerer in a magic duel and the shaman in a shaman duel and the armed combat one is optional though advised.

At stake is not just our creches reputation but the quality of teachers who will pick among us. Oh and were fighting team Umber Snake, Lanfen's old team whom we traded Qing for.

First up are the two magical duels....

• Chushi sparred a shaman who tried to turn into an animal but Chushi pinched his nose breaking his concentration. Then they traded TK punches he went for Chushi's groin, Chushi started off with the face. Chushi fell down but remained conscious at 0 HP then knocked the other guy out with an extra effort judo throw.
• Zhige dodged a lightning bolt and cast an illusion of pits of hell and he screamed in terror and yielded.

First round goes to us 2 -0!

As both of us had the Green Seer for a teacher little was at stake here but it could reflect on our teacher so best we won.  Also Chushi showed his toughness by fighting through his wounds and Zhige won on style points.

Next up was the armed combat round...

• Jian Wu took his guy out with 12 HP using a sparring stick, guy rolled 18 on his HT roll to stay conscious.
• Chushi went up to fight a guy (DX 18!) with cestus who took him out with two hits to the face in one round.
• Jing Min went up against a guy with bladed hands who was also fast, did retreating dodge to avoid then Giant Step to get some distance and crushed the guys windpipe.
• Yi shot three arrows into a bullseye, easily besting his opponent.

Score was 2 - 1, with Chushi losing.

Finally we have the Unarmed Combat!

• Ting slammed into his foe but he managed to stay on his feet and failed a return punch. Ting followed up with a clinch and knee strike to the groin, guy breaks free and steps back retreating dodge and Ting hit him with another slam then he backed up for a kick. Ting followed up with another clinch and knee strike Observers were overheard talking about how unorthodox his style was, but also remarking on its effectiveness.
• Yi traded blows with his foe, both dodging well. Then he did a Judo Parry followed by a Judo Throw which stunned him. Did enough damage to break the arm and knock him out.
• Chushi opponent leads with a flying jump kick which Chushi handles with a Judo parry followed by a throw. Guy was stunned and Chushi kicked him while he was down, the team saw him think about stepping back after the third round of kicking him to let him recover and shouted NO! so he kicked gum again while he was trying to get up and he he eventually fell unconscious.
• Jing Min did a judo throw and kicked his guy while he was down, breaking both arms.
• Jian Wu rushed his guy for a Wrestling grapple all out attack and walked his foe out of the ring.
• Zhige fought Qing who rushed for all out attack grapple but she dodged then did all out attack double grabbing his head and shoving it into her knee.  She stunned and knocked him down the did an Arm Lock and paralyzed and arm then the next arm, followed by the leg. Judges had to call it as he refused to yield.

Score 6 - 0

All the NPC's won their fights as a Quick Contest of skills so no details on those.

Overall we did well, several of our NPC's out preformed us but everyone except Chushi won all their bouts. Zhige was very popular as she healed everyone and the medics standing by had nothing to do.

We were waiting for the end to see who would get offers and discussing how well we thought we did when we were summoned away.

 Some Bad News, and Some err Lets Call it Good

We were ushered into Headmaster Jong Jong Shi's office and some strange guy was standing next to him, looking very unhappy. We were informed our teacher had died falling down the stares between fights. Yi or was it Jing Min? was the only one of us who looked unsurprised and not flat out incredulous (ie he actually had Acting skill and the brains to use it) while some us restrained ourselves or were in too much shock. Most of the group however exclaimed in disbelief and Master Shi said there would be an investigation. Zhige pointedly asked them if they had killed him (and people keep wondering why Chushi is the one still alive?) and threw the bones to confirm. In the meantime we were all to report to Master Whisper (Orders Inquisitor) for questioning and pack our stuff as we were being reassigned to Master Pai Mei (The unhappy old guy there) for instruction as we had overall showed much promise. Plus other creche teachers were busy after all.  Individual instructors would be in touch with us later and we were dismissed.

Chushi quickly inquired if since Master Pai Mei lived in a private mountain retreat if he and Zhige would still be able to be taught by the Green Seer. We were informed it would be so.

Our Masters are Indeed, Idiots

We quickly left for our rooms and started discussion.  No one believed Master Wo Er just fell and Chushi decided to go see if he could talk with his spirit. Everyone else came along to pay respects and provide cover. Master Wo Er was easily contacted and informed us that he didnt see who tripped him but that there was a mole in the Order and we had to make sure the Ebon Book of 1000 Nightmares did not fall into his hands. (You know where this is going...)

We questioned him as much as we could and were informed it was secured in the library where only two people had access to it. Also we told him we won the testing and he said he saw most of it and was proud of us, at least most of us. Shade from beyond the grave! He also told us he was sorry when told we had been reassigned to Pai Mei as he is particularly harsh and impatient with students, especially girls.

We headed back to our rooms to discuss options. Rang said she knew where the book was and we opted to go look for it.  Mouse escorted her and Chushi offered to follow along. Getting a dirty look from her he mentioned he would go as a spirit so they agreed.  Mouse was prepared to break in but Rang had a key since she worked there.  Chushi propped himself into a corner and went into a trance to project his spirit. Rang quickly went to the main desk and pulled some keys from underneath the desk that gave access to where the book was locked up. They went and she quickly recognized the book was not there as she had just been cleaning the room the week before.

Hello, you call this secure?

Chushi spotted a dark aura and trail leading from the room and went to investigate.  Unable to speak so the others could hear him. He followed the trail to the dungeons where Qing was talking with the captured bandit leader and he had the book under his arm and was fumbling with some lockpicks.

Suddenly a demon attacked and tried to possess him! He resisted (rolled a 5) and quickly fled, hearing the demon warning the others they had been discovered. He found his body and woke up to Mouse and Rang waiting on him. Warned them to head to the dungeons yelling and ringing every alarm we could along the way!

Meanwhile as the demon attacked Chushi the bones given to Zhige by the Moon Spirit  jumped out of her pouch and started circling her head.  One was trying to lead her into a specific direction. So they headed to the dungeons.

Apparently the stones were a better guide than Chushi's memory as a spirit and the main group arrived first. They found an unconscious and badly wounded guard that Zhige healed who told them what was going on and to get help. The bandit was free by this time and had the book. Yi shot an arrow at him but he plucked it out of the air and was creating a gate. The guard handed Zhige a stone and she passed it along to another to throw it, not trusting her aim. It shattered and the bandit vanished into the gate as it closed, except for the arm he had defended himself with. Qing was quickly beat up and paralyzed before the rest of the guards came along and Chushi and infiltration squad.

Master Shi exclaimed in an exasperated fashion how he had just left us and how could we get into so much trouble so quickly. Master Whisper had us all interrogated separately.  Were alive so our stories were accepted, probably helped having the bandits arm and the healed guard handy.

We were released and sent back to our rooms to head out in the morning. Chushi and Zhige were not having it and told the others they were off to talk with the Green Seer, they decided to tag along in case of more trouble.  She was waiting for us at the clearing, though expressed surprise Chushi was still alive and escorted us to her house for a snack and we discussed things. She gave Zhige and Chushi a green gate crystal and we were told she would see to it that Pai Mei was fair to the girls and allowed our training to continue.  Also our training was to be sped up and we needed to be ready for a conjunction when the book would be used.

Aftermath

Regarding the fight, we all had saved Impulse Points and several of us used them to reroll failures during the duels,  So things not quite as risky as it sounded or surprising we won. Chushi could have used two to avoid taking those two hits in his armed combat round, but it was obvious he was going to lose so saved his remaining three points for a closer contest.

Next time will be another three years later and we all have Trained by a Master and impressive combat skills.  Chushi added Universal to Medium so he can now talk to the tree and understand what its saying! Christopher cried.  Also increased his TK strength and can now project his spirit for an hour at a time, only taking a minute of meditation.

Most of us studied up on some Demon Lore, Green Seer offered to teach Zhige and Chushi and Chushi will teach the others with Zhiges help. Chushi has Teaching -14 and Hidden Lore (Demons) -14 by the end of the time skip. Rang likely already has some skill in it as well and probably can still access the library.

Chushi impressed some teachers after all (yay!) and learned Quarterstaff fighting from Hwa Ga Wen, the Orders best staff fighter.  Not sure how that happened as Chushi didn't get to fight with his staff, being knocked out before he could move. Maybe it was his undeniable charm, his toughness in the first round, or perhaps the Green Seer put in a word for him.  Seems everyone wants him to be good with a staff, probably a "shamans should use staves, like priests" kind of thing.

He also learned Pai Mei's Eagle Fist Chin Na style, improved his Cooking to -17, and learned to ride a horse.

TTJP Season 2 Episode 15

 GM Link

Casting: Tiger Team!

• Jian Wu (Two) (Christian) 11M; Smith and guy with huge sword
• Jiao Ting (Eight) (Chris D) 11M; Reckless grappler
• Liang Jing Min (Five) (Randy) 11M; Noble, on the outs with family
• Nongmin Chushi (Seven) (Rory) 11M; He talks to spirits, inquisitive and charming more than creepy, despite possibly being insane. Perhaps a wee bit too friendly to strangers.
• Shang Yi (One) (Calvin) 11M; Natural leader and archer.
• Zhiyu Zhige (Nine) (Laurie) 11F; Sorcerer specializing in healing.
• He Bohi (Eleven) 11M; Twin, grew up near the docks.
• He Donghai (Twelve) 11M;, Twin, powerful grappler
• Ko Lanfen (Four) 11F; Solid Order devotee.
• Laoshu (Three aka Mouse) 12F; Quiet and deadly with a knife.
• Meiyou Ren (Six) 11M; Also good with a blade, possibly any blade.
• Rang Baozhai (Ten) 14F; Our bookworm and nerd.

Bandits Part Deux!

With the village saved we interrogate the bandit leader (who was apparently just knocked out) and he is unimpressed with our intimidation efforts. Chusui tells him he will bind his soul but the bandit doesn't believe he knows how. And well he doesn't so he says hesoff to look for ingrediants to maintain the bluff while actually checking for tracks.  Turns out they made no effort to hide the trail and Chushi easily finds it and tells the others. We leave several behind to guard the village (2 players werent feeling well) and Ren was really hurt.  Villagers do not have the tithe so we have to get it from the bandits, plus most of us wanted to finish them off anyhow.

Happy Trails!

We follow the trail to the a point where we cant take the wagon any further and leave it to keep going. Bandit leader is tied up in the wagon (not sure why really but he might be useful)and Chusi leads us onward.  We pretty much stumble across the camp with us spotting it and they spotting us at the same time.  There hold up in a cave with a wide ledge.

We split the group, half going toward the cave, with Jian, Liang, and Donghai taking the farthest ledge since they have two bowman over there, plus some guards.

Mouse gets up first, followed by Bohi, and Ting, with Chusi being the slowest opted to stay behind.

Bohi gets one good but an archer cripples his leg and he isnt much use after that, Mouse kills several, Ting dispatches 3, including shoving two off the cliff. Chusi uses his spirit powers to turn the quivers upside down and disarming the archers (Telekinesis 6 so its too weak to grapple adults). Jian gets mauled but survives his death and consciousness checks and dispatches 3, while Liang and Donghai kill the ones that were attacking Jian. One was thrown off the ledge and Chushi tried to kill him but after finishing the fight on the ledge Liang made a flying leap off it to land on him with his spear. Ting was just a second to late to do his own flying leap from the other side.

So one seriously wounded on our side and a few with significant injuries vs. another 12 bandits taken out. Totaling 44 bandits, we cut off some ears for bounty and haul the wounded and goods back to the wagon.

The Spoils of War

We found some coin, the tithe, and misc gear and materials in the cave plus the bandits armor was quality leather.  We split the coin up into three parts, 1 to the village, 1 split among us, and 1 to the Order.  We figured they had been raiding several villages in the area so the village probably got more than was lost but we couldn't chase down the other villages.  After all we were running late!

We were chewed out for being two days late when we got back and the order took the weapons and armor but we got to keep our share of the coin plus will get some bounty money for the bandits.

Next week is sparring, and how well we do will influence if we get offered any special training our teachers take an interest in us.  If not we keep with the regular training we have been undergoing.

TTJP Season 1 Episode 14

 GM Link

Casting: Tiger Team!

• Jian Wu (Two) (Christian) 11M; Smith and guy with huge sword
• Jiao Ting (Eight) (Chris D) 11M; Reckless grappler
• Liang Jing Min (Five) (Randy) 11M; Noble, on the outs with family
• Nongmin Chushi (Seven) (Rory) 11M; He talks to spirits, inquisitive and charming more than creepy, despite possibly being insane. Perhaps a wee bit too friendly to strangers.
• Shang Yi (One) (Calvin) 11M; Natural leader and archer.
• Zhiyu Zhige (Nine) (Laurie) 11F; Sorcerer specializing in healing.
• He Bohi (Eleven) 11M; Twin, grew up near the docks.
• He Donghai (Twelve) 11M;, Twin, powerful grappler
• Ko Lanfen (Four) 11F; Solid Order devotee.
• Laoshu (Three aka Mouse) 12F; Quiet and deadly with a knife.
• Meiyou Ren (Six) 11M; Also good with a blade, possibly any blade.
• Rang Baozhai (Ten) 14F; Our bookworm and nerd.

Update

So everyone has spent their saved experience and some bonus points from 3 years of training and are quite a bit better than we last saw them.  Note a few changes in the casting list for hints.

Jian Wu got stronger and added some Talents, perks and other things letting him do massive cutting damage to the neck.

Jiao Ting added more DR, ST, and some special traits letting him do more on his Slams (still a favored tactic) plus increased Judo and Karate and is good at Knee strikes.

He Donghai has become a vey good grappler.

Mouse got even deadlier with her knife, and does does Rapid Strikes to the vitals.

Meiyou Ren learned a Technique called Greater Whirlwind and used it to great effect.

Chushi added Awareness to Channeling, purchased Medium, TK 6, and Spirit Form. Also modestly increased his combat skills to 11, though still ST 8.

I didn't really get to observe everyone else's upgrades.

A Trip to Town

Our group is sent to bring back provisions from a nearby town, part of its tithe.  Its a week there and back and fortunately Chushi spent points learning Teamster so is no longer working from default.  Also now has Animal Handling (Equines) to help take care of the horses. And Zhige has Veterinary in case things get really bad for them, not to mention her sorcery.

Many in the group have obtained weapons from the groups blacksmith Jian Wu and we get some provisions and gear for the trip from stocks.

The first night out, were still in the valley but post guards as were in the woods and to get in the habit. Chushi hears something during his watch and signals Zhige who is also awake (all the PC's and several NPC's have Reduced Sleep so we dont need a full 8 hours rest) and goes to check it out. Recognizing its the sound of a Kharakara staff which has metal rings to scare away small animals (carried by some Buddhist priests) he goes to the road and observes an old woman. He stands out so as not to startle her and greets her and she in turn greets him by name and directs him to take her to the camp, naturally he does just that.

OOC There is some discussion how Chushu should not be allowed to stand watch anymore...

She enters camp where some have woken up and introduces herself as the Spirit of the Moon. Chushu nods, thinking of course she is and that explains everything. Some are a bit skeptical but most wise enough not to be too obvious about it and Chushu courteously offers her something to eat.

She sits down and explains the group is headed into trouble as the village is beset by bandits and were greatly outnumbered.  She offers to throw the bones for us, getting mildly annoyed with Zhige who can read them and silences her to keep from telling everyone what they say.

Note: Need to ask her to teach me how to read them too, as he only knows Fortune-Telling (Dreams).

She does get the bag of bones tossed to her as a gift though so the Spirit Lady is not very annoyed after all.  Also were all given a silver coin to toss in the water sometime after we survive and we can call on her.

Thats cool!

The Fight!

We do a bit of scouting and opt for most of the group going in the center across the main bridge with two small groups of flankers. There are 31bandits, a handful with bows.  Most clustered in the south around the village square, a few to the north.

Mouse, Zhige, and Ren head towards the north, Jian and two others flank from the south around some buildings and the rest head straight in. We get initivive and surprise them with some opening attacks as we drive across the bridge.

Its a long and brutal fight, 12 vs. 31  so I wont cover it all.

Ren accounted for the most deaths, though he also took the most hits. At one point he was fully surrounded by 6 bandits and killed 5 of them in an impressive Greater Whirlwind attack. I think he killed that remainder and 2 more before things were over.

Jian got the next most kills, mostly with a form of aggressive parry and his huge sword.

Mouse probably came in a close third, she was hung up on one guy who kept passing his death checks.

Everyone else got at least 1 kill except for Rang who stayed out of the fight and held the wagon.

Everyone (most of us are 11) did impressive against bandits in leather armor, showing why the Order earns its tithe.

We ended right after the fight as the game lasted longer than normal, about 5 and a half hours, much of that the fight.

Aftermath

Next time Chushi should probably threaten the dead bandit leader with an ignominious burial to see where their camp is and get the villagers back some of their stuff plus make sure there are no stragglers.

TTJP Season 1 Session 13

 Final episode before the break!

GM's Recap

Casting: Tiger Team!

• Jian Wu (Two) (Christian) 8M, strong guy
• Jiao Ting (Eight) (Chris D) 8M
• Liang Jing Min (Five) (Randy) 8M, Noble, on the outs with family
• Nongmin Chushi (Seven) (Rory) 8M, says he talks to spirits, inquisitive and charming more than creepy despite possibly being insane.
• Shang Yi (One) (Calvin) 8M, natural leader and archer.
• Zhiyu Zhige (Nine) (Laurie) 8F, sorcerer specializing in healing.
• He Bohi (Eleven) 8M, Twin, grew up near the docks.
• He Donghai (Twelve) 8M, grew up near the docks.
• He Qing (Four) 9M, bully of the group.
• Laoshu (Three aka Mouse) 9F, quiet and good with a knife.
• Meiyou Ren (Six) M Also good with a knife
• Rang Baozhai (Ten) 11F, our bookworm and nerd.

The Green Seer

Our team, minus the twins and Qing who remained at camp followed the elderly lady to her treehouse. Its a big tree and a big house. We made idle conversation while she finished making donner, surprisingly having more than enough for all of us. She explained there were blood speakers who sneak into the valley from time to time stealing the chi from the plants and such here. Most of the group did not quite get it, though Chushi and Zhige definitely did. After the nice venison stew she gave us some fantastic dumplings and candied fruit.  Not sure why some others were nervous, no one who is that good a cook can be bad right? Chushi is quite sure its a rule that good cooking is one of the best signs of good hospitality.

Anyhow, she told us a few things but it was mostly chit chat and good eating. Chushi decided to see if the tree would talk to him and it did, sorta. He invited it in (Channeling) but as usual he was not able to hear what it was saying. His friends tried, but were unhelpful as they described he was talking in weird sounds. The elderly lady, who had identified herself as the Green Seer smacked him to snap him out of it.  As dinner ended she offered to teach Zhige and Chushi if they wanted to come back, both eagerly accepted and the group headed back to camp.

Apparently Qing had hit He Bohi and given him a back eye. We shared food with the group and in the middle of the night Qing was mysteriously beaten with sticks in his bedroll.

Next day we headed back, horses a little less cooperative this time so it took longer. They also did not seem interested in our offerings of food. When we arrived we were told we were light and proudly replied we had trouble with the horses but brought all the wood and plenty of smoked meat. Because we killed a bear!  and Ghosts!!!

We got a mildly satisfied grunt in return and told to put it all away.

It was very late by the time we were done but we got to sleep in a bit, it was almost dawn when we were woken up for the days task.  Running. Up stairs, downstairs, repeat. A lot.

Bohi fell down the stars and hurt himself pretty badly, Zhige healed him, mostly and we continued. Mouse told her she had seen Qing trip him. On lunch break the group discussed options for dealing with Qing, though Ting wanted nothing to do with it.  Jing Min suggested breaking his arm but in the end we did nothing.

The next day was a lot more running, this time just in circles though and a few were exhausted but no injuries this time. That afternoon we were in a sparring match with another group, the Monkeys. We lost but not too badly, Chushi did not do well at all.

Our Trainer declared we had spirit at least, and as we were deemed healthy enough we could begin our unarmed combat training.

Aftermath

No game next week, one of the players is moving so we skip a week. Also this is a time skip as we will have three years training before the next session.

Fun game, we were a bit rowdy, almost felt like an in person game!

TTJP Season 1 Session 12 Beware of Ghosts!

GM Link Session 12 Part 2

Casting: Tiger Team!

• Jian Wu (Two) (Christian) 8M, strong guy
• Jiao Ting (Eight) (Chris D) 8M
• Liang Jing Min (Five) (Randy) 8M, Noble, on the outs with family
• Nongmin Chushi (Seven) (Rory) 8M, says he talks to spirits, inquisitive and charming more than creepy despite possibly being insane.
• Shang Yi (One) (Calvin) 8M, natural leader and archer.
• Zhiyu Zhige (Nine) (Laurie) 8F, sorcerer specializing in healing.
• He Bohi (Eleven) 8M, Twin, grew up near the docks.
• He Donghai (Twelve) 8M, grew up near the docks.
• He Qing (Four) 9M, bully of the group.
• Laoshu (Three aka Mouse) 9F, quiet and good with a knife.
• Meiyou Ren (Six) M Also good with a knife
• Rang Baozhai (Ten) 11F, our bookworm and nerd.

 A day off, what to do?  We talk about it a bit, some opt to relax around camp but most decide to go exploring. We follow a trail for a bit to a fork and opt for the less traveled one to the left.

About two hours from our camp we come across a small clearing with a cave and a big triskelion symbol carved into the stone ground. Chushi curiously walks right up to it, whereupon a ghost appears!

Everyone has to make a Fright Check, Chushi makes his possibly because though startled he thinks its likely a friendly spirit. Mouse of course makes here check, because well shes mouse! Chushi is startled (Not having Combat Reflexes that can happen a lot) so loses his first turn in surprise but cheerfully says ho to the ghost as it approaches him.

The Fight!

The ghost impolitely ignores Chushi's greeting and attacks him!  Chushi takes 2 FP damage and decides its not a friendly ghost,it has him grappled. He opts to run away but its not his turn so...  Mouse runs up and stabs the ghost to no effect, followed by half of the party. Rang ponders what she knows about ghosts. Jing Min runs up behind them tugging onto their sleeves suggesting its time to go and Zhige runs up behind Chushi.

Chushi manages to break free (and rolls 5 to resist the FP drain) and though he was going to run off, changes his mind. Not leaving Mouse there! He wonders if his bear claw might hurt it since its a fresh kill.  Right after that Rang calls out there vulnerable to bones so hes more confident in the idea and pulls it out.

Jing Min does the same, Jian Wu comes up and slashes at it with his axe, and Zhige does the first thing to make it nervous and casts a foxfire spell at it, though it dodges. Ting runs up and rushes into it, figuring he has bones but does not hurt it.

Ren and Rang run to the lip above the cave where we saw a bunch of bones.

Ting decides to bloody his knuckles in case it has to be exposed bone and smashes the ground. Unfortunately that releases two more ghosts! He then gets grappled for his trouble, while one ghost heads towards those going for the bones and the other goes after Jing Min.

Things looking kinda dicey here!

Jing Min stabs the first ghost and hurts it! Drawing first blood! Zhiges foxfire comes around for another pass (cool spell) and burns the ghost. Chushi slashes with the bear claw but misses.

Jing Ming backs up and goes for the ghost that came at him from behind, Chushi finishes off the first ghost with a very lucky slash. So half the party is on each remaining ghost and now armed with bones.

Ting gets grappled by the ghost and proceeds to get his energy drained, also he is prone from a really bad dodge attempt. Unfortunately in our efforts to kill the ghost the rest of us hurt him more than the ghost.  Chushi does a Telegraphic horizontal slash so if he misses he wont hit Ting, Zhige tries to heal Ting, and Jin Ming tries an armed grapple using the bone to pull it off Ting. We struggle a few rounds but Jin Wu lands a powerful hit and dispatches that ghost.  Meantime the others finished of their ghost as well.

Chushi figures the ghosts may come back and starts to make a warning sign. While Zhige is healing Ting up (hes still too exhausted to move fast but at least she heals the damage his friends inflicted on him. An old woman appears and tells us what a great job we did, she has been trying to exorcise them for some time but is too old to do much.  Since the ghosts wont be coming back, Chushi changes the sign to read "No more ghosts here, your welcome. Team Tiger"

She then invites us to her place, the right fork.

This Old House

The team follows her back to the house which is a really big and nice place.  Shes cooking venison in the oven and cuts up some greens to make a stew. We ask why another exorcist or warrior wasn't dispatched to help but she informs us some blood sorcerer is summoning them all over the place. We ask if she works for the Order, she laughs and tells she kinda works with the Order, she was here long before they were. Chushi thinks about it carefully but declines to directly ask how old she is, she might think it rude. He wanders around and tries to figure out if she is either a spirit or a Taoist Immortal, maybe even something else.

We end the session here, picking up next week.

Post-Mortem

See what I did there? 

Next week will likely be our last one before the time skip when we do off screen training and get a year or two older. One player is moving the next week so the timing worked out perfectly.

We started late, after about 30 minutes of chatting but needed no catchup after last time. It was a fun ride and we did surprisingly well.  Luckily their were bones available and we had the bear claws to help out.

TTJP Season 1 Session 11 The Tiger Team Lumberjacks!

After completing the choosing or initiation test  our group is moved to new barracks and given a days rest before their next assignment.

GM Link Session 11

Casting: Tiger Team!

• Jian Wu (Two) (Christian) 8M, strong guy
• Jiao Ting (Eight) (Chris D) 8M
• Liang Jing Min (Five) (Randy) 8M, sorcerer
• Nongmin Chushi (Seven) (Rory) 8M, says he talks to spirits, inquisitive and charming more than creepy despite possibly being insane.
• Shang Yi (One) (Calvin) 8M, natural leader and archer.
• Zhiyu Zhige (Nine) (Laurie) 8F, sorcerer specializing in healing.
• He Bohi (Eleven) 8M, Twin, grew up near the docks.
• He Donghai (Twelve) 8M, grew up near the docks.
• He Qing (Four) 9M, bully of the group.
• Laoshu (Three aka Mouse) 9F, quiet and good with a knife.
• Meiyou Ren (Six) M Also good with a knife
• Rang Baozhai (Ten) 11F, our bookworm and nerd.

GURPS Lumberjacking!

So the first assignment under our new teacher is basically a team building exercise. Were given a cart and sent to the southern end of the valley to cut firewood. We have to bring back 3,000 pounds of firewood in 5 days. Naturally no one knows how to drive a cart, or even ride a horse. Chushi has Animal Handling (Goats) and that seems our best shot so he introduces himself to the horse, which kind of ignores him and figures "Didnt bite me! Good enough" and he drives the cart. Afew who have not taken the Hiking skill pile in and the rest walk. Chushi takes his time and gets used to the horse and it to him. The group requisitions with some basic gear, no food, a bow for the archer and a fishing pole for Chushi.

We find a good spot and most of the group decides to cut wood, but a few go off looking for food. Yi has the bow so goes hunting,while Ting and Zhige go out foraging.

Day 1 Woodcutting

• He Bohai (+30%) 112.32 lbs
• He Donghai (+25%) 108 lbs
• He Qing (+0%) 76.8 lbs.
• Meiyou Ren (+35%) 155.52 lbs.
• Jian Wu (+10%) 116.16 lbs.
• Liang Jing Min (+35%) 103.68
• Chushi (+30%) 99.84
• Rang Baozhai (Leadership) (+35%) 
• Sub-Total: 772.32 lbs Total: 1,042.64 lbs
• Sheng Yi (Hunting) Wasted 1st/400 lb. deer 2nd
• Jiao Ting (Foraging) +10 meals
• Zhiyu Zhige (Foraging) +8 meals

So 1/3 the wood we need on day 1 and 18 meals from our foragers plus the deer. However there was a complication. The 8 year old Sheng Yi was unable to bring the 400 pound deer back on his own and had to come back for help. When some people (5 of us) went to get it (notably those with Survival so we can butcher it properly) we found a bear had just come across it and was looking it over. Chushi wanted to back away and told the group to back away slowly. The bear however was pretty angry and reared up to challenge us. Sheng Yi promptly shot it with an arrow in the vitals so running away no longer an option.

Zhige tried to do something magical but nothing we could see happened, Meiyou charged with her axe and hit it, followed by Chushi getting in a lucky shot. Several of us gang up on the bear doing all out attacks to make up for our low skills (as in most using default axe) and though it takes a few swipes the shock penalties and some lucky rolls we manage to kill it without it actually hitting anyone. 

Chushi skins and dresses the bear (bad roll losing a lot of good ,meat and the deer (much better roll) getting 400 lbs. of bear and 280 lbs. of deer meat.

Day 2 

• He Bohai (+30%) 112.32 lbs
• He Donghai (+15%) 95.04 lbs
• He Qing (+15%) 88.32 lbs.
• Meiyou Ren (+50%) 172.8 lbs.
• Sheng Yi (+30%) 99.84 lbs.
• Zhiyu Zhige (+35%) 103.68 lbs.
• Jian Wu (+30%) 91.52 lbs
• Liang Jing Min (+10%) 84.48 lbs.
• Rang Baozhai (Leadership) (+25%) 
•  Sub-Total: 948 lbs. Total: 1,060 lbs.
• Chushi (Smoke Meat)
• Jiao Ting (Gather Water/Smoke Meat)
• Jian Wu (Made Smoker)
• Mouse (On Watch)

Day 3

• He Bohai (+0%) 86.4 lbs
• He Donghai (+15%) 99.36 lbs
• He Qing (+5%) 80.64 lbs.
• Meiyou Ren (+15%) 132.48 lbs.
• Sheng Yi (+25%) 96 lbs.
• Zhiyu Zhige (+35%) 103.68 lbs.
• Jian Wu (+45%) 153.12 lbs
• Liang Jing Min (+30%) 99.84 lbs.
• Rang Baozhai (Leadership) (+25%)
•  Sub-Total: 851.52 Total: 1064.4

4th Day

• He Bohai (+35%) 116.64 lbs
• He Donghai (+10%) 95.04 lbs
• He Qing (+15%) 88.32 lbs.
• Meiyou Ren (+50%) 172.8 lbs.
• Sheng Yi (+25%) 96 lbs.
• Zhiyu Zhige (+20%) 92.16 lbs.
• Jian Wu (+40%) 107.52 lbs
• Liang Jing Min (+30%) 99.84 lbs.
• Sub-Total: 868.32
• Total: 1128.82 Rang Baozhai (Leadership) (+30%)

At this point we reached our goal and will spend a day exploring or relaxing before heading back. Our cart will be full of excess meat thats been smoked for 3 days so should last and well have stories to tell about how we took down a bear.

Aftermath

So the numbers above are probably not interesting but I decided to include them anyway. It shows just how good GURPS is about handling all kinds of things if you want it to..

The GM could easily have set an arbitrary amount and had us make a die roll to see if we made it or not, instead he pulled out some rules,mostly from GURPS Low Tech and used the figure ST *0.8 for amount of wood per hour, we opted to work 12 hours most of us, our lazy bully only did 8 hours a day. Also we got a bonus from Extra Effort and Leadership to increase efficiency. The rules for how much meat and how long it took to cut it up and smoke it were also from the Low Tech series of books.

Also were kids but were extraordinary kids who will hopefully one day be notable adults.  So we have a lot of high wills, many adding Single-Minded, Less Sleep, and Reduced Consumption.

We had fun socializing and organizing ourselves, then killing the bear. A few got to show off some of our skills and abilities. These first several sessions were just kids in a secret martial arts school so its more about getting to know each other and character growth than exotic adventures.

TTJP B-Team Season 1, Episodes 9 & 10 A Fresh Beginning

This was our first and second session of the new characters. Also we picked up a new player (Randy) giving us 5 players in the group. With an announcement that another one would be taking over one of the NPCs for a total of 6 players.

GM Link Session 9

GM Link Session 10

Basic Concept

This new group is a bunch of youngsters 8 to 12 living in a monastery kind of thing called the Order. There are twelve kids per creche, each creche has a "minder"or chaperone till they are old and fit enough to begin formal training. Some of us have been here several years, brought in as orphans or sold to the Order.

The Order is a powerful training and quasi military organization run by the Empire that patrols the land and its borders looking for monsters, rebels, and unrest.  Pretty much anything that can pose a threat to the empire. The outlined plan is to have several sessions then a break of a year or two game time, then repeat the cycle a few times till were all adults. GURPS Social Engineering: Back to School will be used to help with training, and of course as its a Wuxia/Xianxia setting GURPS Martial Arts will be essential for its additional rules and listed martial styles.

This format has an advantage over the "You all meet at an Inn" in that our characters grow up knowing each other. Also the training sequence lets us figure out our characters as we slowly build them (25 point templates plus bonus to start, and most of us reserved much of the bonus points). So we can interact with the other players and the environment so we grow organically and hopefully cohesively. This will be my first time but two of the players already did this in the GMs prior campaign (Ceteri).

So with the intro out of the way....

Casting

• Jian Wu (Two) (Christian) 8M, strong guy
• Jiao Ting (Eight) (Chris D) 8M
• Liang Jing Min (Five) (Randy) 8M, sorcerer
• Nongmin Chushi (Seven) (Rory) 8M, says he talks to spirits, inquisitive and charming more than creepy despite possibly being insane.
• Shang Yi (One) (Calvin) 8M, natural leader and archer.
• Zhiyu Zhige (Nine) (Laurie) 8F, sorcerer specializing in healing.
• He Bohi (Eleven) 8M, Twin, grew up near the docks.
• He Donghai (Twelve) 8M, grew up near the docks.
• He Qing (Four) 9M, bully of the group.
• Laoshu (Three aka Mouse) 9F, quiet and good with a knife.
• Meiyou Ren (Six) M Also good with a knife
• Rang Baozhai (Ten) 11F, our bookworm and nerd.

The Choosing

The creche is out working the farm when were all called in early through the ringing of the bells. Were led to an auditorium and told to take a seat. Each seat has a backpack next to it, most refrain from examining it though the curious Chushi does. It has some clothing, money, a knife, and some basics.

The grandmaster of the Order walks in and tells us it is our time of choosing. We must decide to leave the Order or stay. If we stay we will not be later permitted to leave until we graduate as we will learn some of the Orders secrets. Those who stay are tasked with going up a nearby mountain and retrieving a Jade Heart flower. Were then dismissed!

Most of the crowd chooses to stay, one of our creche departs, the rest head up the mountain after determining that Chushi at least knows what the flower looks like. Many of the other creches have obviously not hiked before and run, we pass them exhausted along the way as we slowly but steadily pace ourselves. The one who left (Rang Baozhai) also catches up with us after changing her mind on leaving.

The first real obstacle is a short cliff face they have to climb up. Taking our time, using the provided equipment, and helping each other gives us a+5 Task Modifier; trouble is some have to resort to default Climbing skill, which is DX-5! Chushi fails and falls for 1 HP damage, another falls for 6 and has to be healed by Zhige.

Session is then called due to real life drama.

Look! Man Eating Plants!

Next session the group continues on up the mountain until just above the snowline we spot a bush of Jade Heart Flowers up on a rocky outcropping. Qing shoves pas the group to get the flowers first and as the rest of us advance Jing Min is grappled by a plant off to our right. He does not take it very well and screams in a squeeky voice as he panics (18 on Will roll)! Chushi is hit in the chest with a sharp thorn hurled by another plant. It hurts, a LOT but he keeps his calm as the others, now wary spread out and forward.

The two plants do not survive the 11 children attacking them, though we get pretty banged up.  Its a big fight and hard for Chushi to track everything, but some notable highlights were...

• Zhige yanked out the thorn from Chushi's chest (causing more damage and evoking a scream, but a semi manly one at least -just ask him!) but she heals his damage and he charges one of the plants.
• Ting does an impressive belly flop on a plant, trying either a flying tackle or pretending to jump into bed, we cant tell.
• Mouse really impresses anyone watching with her combat skill, didnt miss or fail to dodge once!
• The plants are tough to cut with our knives but really flammable as Wu guesses. Confirmed by Jing Min walking into a spore could and one plant exploding on those fighting it. No one really objects though, the knives weren't doing much after all. Speaking of which, Baozhai helpfully remembers they are highly flammable about the time Jing Min walks up to one with a lit torch.
• Zhige is not to be trifled with or annoyed. She kicked Qing in the groin for 6 HP! after he got down from the rock with his flower and laughed about the rest of us (who were still fighting).
• It pays to listen to Yi as his directions helped us in the fight.

Chushi as a good gardener gets up on the rock and cuts out 11 flowers for the rest while doing his best to make sure the plant survives.  While up there he notices a cave a short distance away.  Climbing back down, slowly and with Jin Min's torchlight to guide him (getting dark) he tells the group about the cave as he passes out the flowers. Assuming no bear or other wild animal it might be a good shelter to rest while they recover from the battle,  However the group decided its not worth the risk as they have to return by dawn anyway. Undaunted Chushi opts to explore the cave anyhow while everyone else rests or gets healed. Jin Min carefully follows at a safe distance to keep an eye on him.  

Its not a deep cave and no bears, but inside is a hole in the ceiling providing plenty of light and some white jade heart flowers! Chushi asks the spirits if its ok to pick them and after a few minutes with no obvious objection he carefully does so.  He gets 11 flowers (the most he safely can) and carefully puts them in his pouch. The group ties some ropes together to make it easier getting back down that cliff, though sadly the last length unravels and Qing falls down, hurting himself a bit.  Hey, he insisted on going first!

The group makes its way back in plenty of time, not the first to rive but not the last either. They made sure to stick together, Wu even carrying Ting part of the way as he was still hurt. Chushi distributed the white Jade Flowers to everyone but Qing whom he determined the spirit of the cave did not want to get one for his behavior. No one seem to comment on the matter either way.

When we arrived the teachers took stock, made sure we passed the test and complimented us on killing two Dark Flowers. Apparently they lose several children a year to them on these quests. Chushi thanked them for letting us know ahead of time. The Alchemist made a tincture of all the flowers with each student getting one, he said we could drink it for its healing and health benefits or sell, as we choose. He was surprised at the white flowers  and asked Chushi f he knew what they were and how rare? Chushi only knew it was a mythical plant and when queried said he found it in a cave. Oddly enough neither he nor Jin Min could exactly recall quite how to find it again.

Aftermath

Fun game, our first with a new player. The flower rewards were a nice benefit (Green +5 pts, White +15 pts towards HT or a health related advantage - more if we let them steep a year or more). This was an obvious plot device to keep the group together as we all need HT 12 (including Fit bonus) to begin Intensive Training and not everyone in the group met that requirement.

It was kind of funny as the GM was mildly pained when the group opted not to go into the cave, I mean it was a pretty obvious hook but smart money was not exploring it since we had what we came for and were pretty banged up.  Luckily Chushi is more curious than smart (10 point disadvantage) and the GMs efforts were not foiled.

I got a better feel for Chushi and its still early yet with lots of tests and trials to shape him but with this adventure I filled out more of his concept and goals.  Currently looking at a Druid/Shaman or given that were also Martial Artists maybe a Ranger/Shaman without the bow (he started with Channeling and was going to be a shaman, had Green Thumb 2 but that was mostly for his cooking). Also going to play up the talks to spirits angle a bit more, its kinda fun. Shaman seem to be rarer than Sorcerers and of course martial artists so not everyone is sure about his ability. Especially the kids. Initially I had planned for more an urban than rural shaman as I expect most noncombat activity to occur in town and he will still be good in town since hes the designated Face.

The GM is still working out details but so far most shamanic abilities are heavily geared towards outdoors and reviewing that material plus the lucky plant plot seem good indicators.

TTJP B-Team Season 1 Session 7 & 8

The End, For Now

Session 7 was very short so I combined the reports for both sessions again.

GM Notes Session 7

GM Notes Session 8

The Final Trial

Gushou faced off against the temple guardian who calls himself the Gentle Master. This was an unarmed fight and Gushou took off his Shenshou so it would not help in the fight, even if it was just sitting on his arm.

His Brawling and Acrobatics skills against the Gentle Masters  mastery of 4 styles (Chin Na, Hsing I Chuan, Pa Ka Chuan, and T'ia Chi Chuan) but all he has to do is tag him three times before being tagged to win. Easy right? Oh, and the duel is among scattered rocks above a waterfall and falling in counts as a loss.

Gentle Master gets in the first hit and its not so gentle, though he pulled his punch.

Both have absurdly high Active Defense scores, though Gushou is relying on Acrobatic Dodge to help him out. After a few rounds of back and forth Gushou uses his saved Impulse Points to score a hit and his Wildcard points to assist his Acrobatic Dodges.

The player (me) forgot his style included Judo so he could have used wildcard points to hit with a sweep and maybe even used Rapid Strike at -3 to try a Throw,

Realizing it was just down to luck with who crit first Gushou used his saved points to improve his success to a crit and used Extra Effort for Flurry of Blows (So Brawling made two strikes at -3 skill or 15 or less). Without his Shenshou his fatigue was sharply limited though so this was an iffy strategy. In fact I miscounted and burned HP with rolls to stay conscious, a problem I would not have had if I remembered he had Judo as part of his wildcard style.

Gushou did manage to get in his three hits before the Master got in his second, but he was holding back as Masters sometimes do when just testing students. Also this cost him some points he was saving for the big fight with the head villain.

After the victory, everyone got complimented for their test, except Gushou who was told he needed serious training. But, he passed and thats what counted!

Training Montage!

After this the group was promised the sought after compass and they were offered personal training by the Gentle Master. This used the rules from GURPS Martial Arts, p. 147 The Training Sequence and allowed us to buy up our skills, specifically something he had or was part of our existing training (campaign limit of +1 level per training break or new skills up to base attribute level) and Gushou opted to learn Pa Ka Chuan as a new Wildcard style (trading in points he already had in Brawling, Meditation, and Wrestling) with a wildcard version of the Style Adaptation perk for Hsing I Chuan. That rounded out his unarmed combat abilities nicely, gave access to a couple of new Cinematic Skills and he still had enough points to increase his primary style and Flying Leap by +1 each.

Follow the Compass

At the end of the week our heroes were introduced to a young boy who we were told was the compass we were seeking. Basically this kid had the special ability to just find things and could lead us to whatever we wanted. After much debate we opted to chase the Dark Stranger in hopes of catching him before he reached his next target.

That ended session 7.

The Ambush!

We found the Dark Stranger and set up an ambush along the road for him. Gushou, having the best stealth went ahead in hopes he would pas him before rounding the bend and the rest of the group.  The idea was to cut off his escape and the rear group split into two parts, one on each side of the road.

As he passed Gushou and just before rounded the bend in the road Gushou struck him, though did not quite catch him by surprise. Gushou struck 5 times with his mighty magic chain whip (Using Rapid Strike and Flurry of Blows for 5 FP) but was dodged several so got in three hits. They hurt but seemed largely absorbed by his armor.

Shen Feng ran up using Heroic Charge and struck twice with Power Blow for massive damage,enough to require HT checks! Xhiu approached but could not reach him in time and Ann Rang also needed to close the distance to reach the target with his stars.

Had the latter two possessed the Stealth skill we might have had them closer but surprise was key here. For some reason our healer/artist and our burly man mountain never learned the skill.

The Dark Stranger summoned his jumping vampire minions and cast a large area spell that knocked Shen Feng unconscious.  Everyone else was out of range.

The jumping vampires quickly raced forward, 3 on the unconscious Shen Feng (who has a LOT of Chi)and 1 for everyone else. Gushou dodged his attacker and opted to attack the Dark Sorcerer again but critically failed and lost his turn (Jerk used his Villainous points), An Rang and Xhui were caught up with their vampires.  Xhui decapitated his and moved to do the same to the one on An Rang.

Gushou again went ll out on the Dark Sorcerer and pumped in some lightning this time.

The Sorcerer moved closer to Xhui and brought his glowing circle with him but with the aid of his protective tailsman he resisted and tried to cut off the targets head. Unfortunately the blade turned in his hand and he hit with the flat of the blade instead. Still did a lot of damage though. An Rang sunk a bunch of shuriken in him, though he dodged several. The next round Gushou took out a vampire and tried to hit the sorcerer but had exhausted most of his energy and did little damage.

Xhui got in another solid hit and then An Rang finished him off with a barrage of Shuriken (like a dozen).  That dropped the spell and Shen Feng woke up and the remaining 4? vampires fell unconscious and were quickly dispatched.

Xhui beheaded the sorcerer but we noticed the head inching towards the body so he staked it. Then when the body tried to craw to the head we shattered its limbs, finally deciding to cut it up into little pieces and bury them in separate boxes all over the countryside. Including at various temples.

Aftermath

This was our last session, the GM opted to restart us as kids with new characters. I opted to try another spirit based character as its something in the setting but so far I am 0 for 2 in the game lasting long enough for the character to grow in and explore that role.  Since a shaman fits well with the Face archetype and that appears to be my role in the group its time to try and break that streak.

I had fun with Gushou and learned what I wanted about the Kusari in GURPS. Two of the other players have decided on their characters, Calvin wants to try to be an archer and Christian is opting for a "guy with big weapon" which worked out rather well for him in this series.

We wont be playing next week, but hopefully have everything ready the week after that.

Why this Kickstarter is a Great Time to take a fresh look at GURPS!

So the latest GURPS Kickstarter has achieved its funding and all stretch goals, I think to no ones surprise. As of this writing its at $50,740 with 2,401 backers.
1,062 at the $3 level to get all 12 PDFs.
407 at the $30 level to get all the PDFs and $30 credit towards additional GURPS PDFs.
280 at the $99 level to get 12 PDFs plus $125 credit towards additional GURPS PDFs.
98 at the $49 New to GURPS level to get the PDFs plus the GURPS Basic Set in PDF.
And we have 53 hours to go!

The number of total backers is great as many of those are new to GURPS, or at least the kickstarter GURPS.  And the New to GURPS level is an exciting benchmark as well, especially since some people will have chosen the higher $99 level instead so they get that sweet discount.
The $3 level is probably mostly current GURPS people who have most of the supplements they want already, though it likely also includes some just looking to get a taste.

I think this campaign was successful enough that we will see more like it, perhaps an annual event. The idea was inspired by the CEO Phil Reed who has done several systemless projects, including some like this. If you like ANY RPG you should follow him. Seriously.

A few people have posted ideas to help people figure out what to spend that credit on when Backerkit comes out in a week or two.
Matt Riggsby, a popular and prolific author posted this on his blog.
Peter Del'Orto the author of the Megadungeons book posted this list

So here is my list...
First, if your new to GURPs This page should be helpful, especially the linked FAQ and Primers. But it really boils down to build what you want (with setting and campaign guidelines) and to do something you typically roll 3d6 under the appropriate skill or attribute level.
Ok to my list...
Tricked Out Rides, Boardroom and Curia: Tomorrow Rides, and Action 7 Mercenaries support the GURPS Action line which is a series of supplements aimed at playing GURPS as a movie action hero.
Monster Hunters Encounters 1 and How to be a GURPS GM: Ritual Path Magic support the Monster Hunters line (Someday it will get a category on the main GURPS book page) which is designed to emulate modern secret magic or alien hunting settings. Series like The Dresden Files, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Shadow Hunters, The Librarian, Warehouse 13, Men in Black, and many more. Ritual Path Magic is also popular in fantasy settings or those where variety is desired over closed spell lists.
Dungeon Fantasy Adventures 3: Deep Night and the Star and Dungeon Fantasy 21: Megadungeons support the Dungeon Fantasy line, easily the most popular GURPS genre sub line. Basically its old school dungeon crawling but in GURPS so allows more flexibility and detail to those who want it. For those tired of constraining character classes or want extra options like specifically targeting hit locations, feints, and putting some tactics into your games its a great choice. And for those who want to skip some of those details they can, even in the same game where the swashbuckler stabs for the vitals the barbarian could swing for the neck or the warrior could just ignore all that and strike at the torso or rely on luck for a more deadly hit.
Reign of Steel: Read the Sky is an adventure set on the post apocalyptic Reign of Steel setting where the machines took over the world. Its a Third Edition setting but has had updates for the current and Fourth Edition. Worth mentioning that all the Third Edition settings (and there are many) are easy to update to the current edition.The change was more a matter of streamlining and very few rules actually changed, mostly the difference is point costs and a lot of clarification based on common questions.
Hot Spots: The Incense Trail is yet another in a series of historical Hot Spots and Locations (not all historical and even the historical are set up for dropping into your settings). These are good inspirational books helpful in a lot of ways.
Template Toolkit 3: Starship Crew by the GURPS line editor and publisher of many GURPS books will help players and GMs quickly build crew for starships (likely easily tweaked for sailing vessels too). This is a good example of a typical GURPS supplement, you wont need it to do the job or play that kind of campaign but it helps by saving time with examples and guidelines and makes missing important traits less likely.  Typically some rules are clarified or explained in how they can be applied to the subject and often add a few new traits to better model that subject.
SteamPunk Setting: The Broken Clockwork World is a setting book supporting the Steampunk genre, currently at three books and some Pyramid articles. Though its yet to get a Topic or Series entry in the GURPS book page (You would think the CEO merited more attention to his material!).
Horror: Beyond the Pale is a creepy horror adventure by two prolific authors and one of my favorite setting writers in J. Edward Tremlett. The horror genre has quite a few GURPS books in it.

Summary

 So what am I buying with my pledge? A few Pyramid back issues, GURPS Fantasy (I own a printed copy but PDFs are more handy) and a few Classics like GURPS China that I used to own in printed form but lost over the years.
The $3 pledge is a great value for anyone, 12 books for that price is awesome, even if your only interested in 1 of them. Likely several will have something of interest, even to non GURPS players. GURPS uses plain English measurements and terminology so adapting its material to other systems.
I and others are hoping newcomers will be impressed enough with the writing they decide to give my favorite system a try.
Maybe you'll even like and buy some of my work!