The Striking Absence of Courage and Loyalty to America in the GOP and Amazing Self-entitlement

 The House voted to impeach Trump for sedition today, a small number of Republicans voted for it.  Apparently not a single Oklahoma Rep was among them.  So Rep Tom Cole, Rep Markwayne Mullin, Rep Kevin Hern, Rep Stephanie Bice, and local Rep Frank Lucas all voted in support of Sedition, just as they voted to encourage and give aid and comfort to seditionists by objecting to blocking the will of the voters in declaring Biden as the new President elect.

Some like Rep Tom Cole said it was just a parliamentary move, others think and have said letting Trump get away with attempting to overthrow the government as something that the country should just move beyond and forget about, such as our own Senator Lankford.

Meanwhile Republicans are screaming more about losing book deals (Senator Hawley), being censored by a few losing social media accounts and saying that prevents them from talking to people (duh you can go on TV or radio anytime you want to!).Also seriously does any Congress person actually read or understand the Constitution? or do they know but just think their voters are too lazy or stupid to, and will just believe whatever they are told? Or even more petty crying about not being able to carry guns onto the House floor and walking through metal detectors.  How out of touch and self entitled are these people? Regular Americans are typically not allowed to carry guns on their jobs, many schools have metal detectors, and have they boarded a plane lately? But somehow they think they are special and should be able to carry a gun in a supposedly secure location. Consider that several were and still are engaged in active sedition and some calling for the death of fellow congress people. At least 4 were involved in organizing the rally that led to the riot and one Rep Lauren Boebert is an admitted conspiracy theorist and was sending the location during the riot Speaker Pelosi's location to her followers. There were only two credible reasons to do that 1) Hoping the rioters would go after Pelosi and leave the floor alone (in hopes of protecting herself) or 2) Hoping they could reach Pelosi.  Why should she be allowed in office, much less to carry a gun? Apparently our own Rep Mullin was also among those crying about the metal detectors.

So these are the priority issues of the GOP, not the people who died or risked their lives to save their lives (By the way, many Republicans, including Senator Graham and some from the Oklahoma delegation were yelling at the Capital Police for not doing enough during the crisis.  We even have American service members sleeping on the Capital floor to protect their ass. While as a former service member myself I can say this is not the most uncomfortable billet, its shameful that Republicans in office are devaluing that and putting their own personal privilege's over and above the people sacrificing to protect the self-entitled spoiled brats.

When will Republican voters ever hold them accountable?  Will they ever do so? Or is racism so that damm important to you? Can't really be anti-abortion based on the reckless disregard for human life. Maybe its just the lie about taxes.  Shameful whatever the reason is.

A Real Hero

So I saw small clips of this Black Capital Police Officer running from the mob. My initial thoughts were that is understandable as they likely would have killed him if they caught him but he should probably lose his job. Dying is part of the risk you take for these kinds of things, which is why few people should be in these high risk jobs.

However, I heard a report and checked into it and turns out the Senate chambers were just down the hall. Looking at this video clip you can see him glance over (apparently noticing the Senators had not been secured yet) and deliberately egging the rioters on. Then he runs a short distance, turns and continues to confront the, This repeats several times and you hear him giving his location an calling for backup where he leads those that followed into a trap.

This shows incredible bravery and presence of mind in a tough situation. Remember these people are waving racist flags and symbols around so its clear they hate any nonwhite and likely would have beaten him to death had they caught him.  Sure that skinny white guy at the front doesn't look too dangerous as commentators have said, but he could easily have been armed. Plus there is the whole mob behind him.

He deserves our thanks, a raise and hey President Biden why dont you use the Medal of Freedom appropriately instead of the participation trophy Trump has turned it into? Give this guy a medal!

Pyramid Scheme Post #2

 The next announcement post about the upcoming Pyramid special has come out.  Actually several days ago, but things been rather hectic. Sign up here to know when it launches!

The second of three issues will be themed for Modern Day/Action.

Articles at Launch

• El Rancho Fin del Camino - Matt Riggsby [ready to use locale, with map]
• Derelicts on Ice - Carolynn Ivy Stein and Steve Stein [ships to explore]
• Secret Masters - Rory Fansler (thats me) [character options for an illuminated campaign]

My article was written just for this issue and is very similar in concept to The Captains Boat which was a well received article I wrote for Pyramid #3/71. Both took a simple idea and ran with it to affordably build a character matching a common stereotype.  I ran with this one a bit more, bent one rule to make it work, and ran out of space trying to squeeze everything in.  So look for designers notes in the future, if this funds. Thank you to Steven Marsh and Sean Punch for not only their usual sterling editorial work but also giving the concept room to breath.

Stretch Goal Articles

• The Phoenix Program - S.A. Fisher [real world Vietnam info]
• Three Steampunk Monsters - Phil Masters [monsters!!]
• The Checkpoint - Michele Armellini [generic encounter]
• Into the Forbidden Zone - J. Edward Tremlett [real-world lost locales]
• Phoenix: Birds of Prey - S.A. Fisher [more real world Vietnam info]
• The Hunters Reliquary II - Christopher R. Rice [more options for GURPS Monster Hunters]
• The Company - Sean Punch [GURPS Action expansion]
• Highway Stars - Roger Burton West [popular vehicles using GURPS vehicle stats]

This kickstarter will be starting later this month, might be scheduled for a short window so save your money!

Some rumors on the forums that this is a restart of the magazine. That has been confirmed as not true. Instead this is another version of the PDF challenge that did so well last year, just using the themes from Pyramid as the organizing structure.  Its my hope that we see one or two of these things a year, in addition to the regular monthly new GURPS supplement.

TTJP Season 1 Episode 24 A New Journey

 

Casting: Tiger Team!

• Jian Wu (Two) (Christian) 16M; Our smith and all around craftsman, carries a huge sword and Master of Dragon Man Kung Fu.
• Jiao Ting (Eight) (Chris D) 16M; Reckless grappler; Black Palm
• Liang Jing Min (Five) (Randy) 16M; Noble, on the outs with family; Chinese Spear Fighting.
• Nongmin Chushi (Seven) (Rory) 16M; He talks to spirits, inquisitive and charming perhaps a wee bit too friendly to strangers. Shaman, Eagle Fist Chin Na!, Quarterstaff. Also Talker!, Artiste!, and Outdoorsman!
• Shang Yi (One) (Calvin) 16M; Natural leader and archer. Shedao
• Zhiyu Zhige (Nine) (Laurie) 16F; Sorcerer specializing in healing. Eagle Fist Chin Na.
• He Bohi (Eleven) 16M; Twin, grew up near the docks. Eagle Fist Chin Na, focused on striking.
• He Donghai (Twelve) 16M;, Twin, Eagle Fist Chin Na, focused on grappling.
• Ko Lanfen (Four) 16F; Solid Order devotee. Tai Chi Chuan,
• Laoshu (Three aka Mouse) 17F; Quiet and deadly with a knife. Dagger Fighting
• Meiyou Ren (Six) 16M; Affectionately called the party blending machine and close to Zhige.
• Rang Baozhai (Ten) 17F; Our bookworm and nerd. Eagle Fist Chin Na and Xiangliu's Bite (Crossbow).

GM Review

A Time of Building

After the last adventure our heroes have spent another two years training and are now basically young adults. Most of us now have Style! wildcard skills, plus a few others. Chushi improved his ability to get along with others by getting Talker! and Artiste! to build gifts for spirits and making fetishes. Added Cooking as an extended skill to Artiste! meaning he can make really great meals.

Also increased his Spirit Hands (TK) to ST 20. Wu got bigger and stronger, Jing Min got faster and several levels of Flying Leap (Super Jump 3 with modifiers), Zhige picked up more spells.

Reassignment

Master Pai Mei calls us to assemble and tells us we have been assigned to the Inquisitor branch of the order.   This is in large part a recognition of our success with the last adventure. This branch focuses on hunting down warlocks, demons, and other bad apples within the empire.

We gate to the capital city and are ushered into the Orders grounds. Were given $50 and told to take the evening off and we break up to scout the city.

Chushi and Yi explore the city, memorizing locations and getting a feel for the place.  The idea is to learn travel routes, potential hot spots and places of interest.  Chushi especially pays attention to the social makeup of various areas such as where cultists may gather or recruit or other elements of various types.  Also learns where the parks and graveyards are.

Jing Min goes to the opera, he has been missing the refined side of culture. He dutifully calls it an early night after that to be fresh in the morning.

Ren takes Zhige on a date, buys her a remarkably nice water silk dress that repairs itself.

Rang takes Ting on a date, it does not go as well.  Ting seems obtuse to her advances even though hes shown interest in her by making her gifts. Also turns out to be a lousy dancer.

No one is ambushed or gets into any trouble, except maybe Ting with Rang.  The next morning were fed a good breakfast and reviewed by our new trainer.

End Session

We didnt really do much, lot of cross talk and goofing off kept us off base, possibly post holiday energy.  We all had fun though and in the end that is what a game is all about right?

TTJP Episode 22 Did She Blink?

 

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).

The Trap

With three members of the team captured the group heads out to rescue them. Naturally its a trap so we scout ahead and find the meeting place to be on the docks in a large open space normally filled with vendors, a salt market. The large open area favors the cultists with their fireballs, though were not helpless when it comes to range either.  We choose to attack from two sides. Chushi, Jing Min, and Yi from one side coming in on the roof of a large building.  The rest from the opposite side and going across a bridge.

Our Tactics roll gives the group 3 rerolls to use as needed.

Our friends are tied up in a fountain close to the building and we see 3 Gol-shan (big stench demons), 12 bone demons, 16 cultists, and 2 elites. A fox tail and a sorcerer.

Opening Move

Yi kills two cultists with his arrows, Jing Min drops down and guts another with his spear, Chushi sends his knife towards the fountain. On the other side Wu charges one of the big demons, Ren heads toward a bone demon between him and the leaders, Ting slams a cultist and Zhige backs up to the waters edge and hastes Ren.

Zhige summons her foxfire, Mouse escapes her bounds, Ko goes for a bone demon after easily making her HT roll to avoid the stench effects from the nearby stench demon. Yi kills two more cultists, Chushi frees Bohi as Dinghi freed himself as well.  All the prisoners are now free and Mouse grabs the knife.

Fireballs come at Yi who dodges, Christian gets two aimed at him, one of which is a crit failure -burning himself. Ren gets one crited at him but we use a reroll and it becomes a crit fail on the reroll.

Rang shoots a cultist with her crossbow but it dodged. Jing Min kills two cultists on the outer edge.

Zhige hastes Ting and sends her foxfire at a cultist.

Yi shoos the leader but he is magically protected. Wu uses Quicksilver Strike to reach a demon. Ko uses a reroll to avoid a crit hit by a bone demon, the rest of them fail to land a blow.

Ting charges the foxlady and hits with a crit, GM uses a reroll and she blinks away.

Game ends there due to external circumstances.

Aftermath

With 45 people on the board this was quite a chaotic mess, even listening to the recap. This part of the fight took just under 2 hours with most of the people not having to look up rules or things on a character sheet.

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.