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.