On the Edge of Expanion (OOC)

Out-of-Character thread for the newest part of our Greater Good universe. This is where you will post links to your rolls, questions or comments about the game from a player perspective, and anything that doesn't take place in the game itself.

Welcome to the Tau Empire Carnelian, Litschi, and Insane!

I went ahead and added two very general introductions to our "heroes." Feel free to play with the setting as you like.

Alice, I am OK with you inventing NPCs (race, name, demeanor) for your interactions. In fact, I welcome it. Just be careful not to dictate the storyline or other player's moods/actions/thoughts. I am only saying this because it is your first RPG and that is something to always keep in mind.

I am excited, guys! Thanks for helping me create another part of this universe.

OK, so we have our first skill test. Now, you haven't completed your character creation yet, Litschi, so we will need to do that before we can address this test.

I will go through your PC sheet again and hopefully explain how spending XP to buy skills/talents/characteristic upgrades works!

Okay, I added the XP. When you have checked them I will reply (until that specific time, the old earth caste has to awaite a response) *_*

Alice - OK, cool. No problem!

Dave - You know that the Oasis Angpak referred to will not be a matter of, "OK let's walk there." It's pretty damn far. You will need to secure a ride out there. You know that the Earth Caste engineers who run the workshop also sign out vehicles/drivers if there is a need.

Alice - here is the breakdown for the skill test you need to complete for the Fio'ui.

Skill tests make up the backbone of doing almost anything in the game. Whenever you want to do anything you have 2 options: 1) tell me what you want to attempt and ask me how to do it or 2) Tell me you would like to attempt an "X" test (tech use/common lore/stealth) and I can tell you the modifier for it.

I dictate how difficult the test is. For this one, it is a challenging +0 test.

For this test - Tech Use - you start with the related characteristic score. So, it should look like this:

Int 46 +10 (tech use skill) +10 (nano-tool) +10 (labor drone assist) +20 (workshop) +0 (test difficulty) <96

You roll 1d100 and as long as it results in a number below 96, you would succeed. However, there are two exceptions: 1-5 is always a success. 95-100 is always a failure.

When you are ready, please roll on Orokos and post the link to your roll here.

Ai thanks. This should be an easy roll. It was a 12. So close to critical in ^^

Skill test - repair pulse pistol: 1d100 12

Well done! That is a huge success. This game system determines how well one succeeds or fails by degrees.

12 is a success, so that counts as 1 success. Then we count by tens until we hit the target number.

12  --> 22 (2 successes) --> 32 (3) --> 42 (4) so on and so on.

12 vs 96 is 10 Degrees of Success. In other words, you repair the fuck out of that pistol. Great work.

Now that you know you have done extremely well, you can make an IC post and describe the results of your work.

Quick reminder for those who may not know, you can speak fluent Tau if you'd like by consulting this Insanely Awesome Lexicon.

Download it and reference it whenever you want to spice up your posts by adding some Tau into them. Cheers.

Right. I was thinking about going in for a charge but it seems I can't reach them..... Or not.

Vra'fa is going to try and use Charm on them- to persuade them that it will be more for each of their benefits if they work together than against eachother. I'm assuming whatever they are- the Polygot Hedron should be able to communicate through to them.

Fell 50 +20 (Charm) +5 (Water caste) +10 (Polygot Hedron)
Rolled 66 https://orokos.com/roll/645687

2 DoS. Just have to see how well they roll in return.

Also can she see them any better once she's turned? Going to post now her attempt to do the above.

That's a good roll; however, there is no apparent affect whatsoever.

Even in the dim light she can see that they are pretty fucking horrifying once she turns around.

Vra'fa will make a general awareness test around her to see if she can hear any other noises, or see anything useful around her, or even smell anything or see a  possible avenue for escape.

Per 36
Rolled 73 https://orokos.com/roll/645879.

4 Dof

If possible- I'm not sure if she is cornered against a wall or not, she will make a half move away from them. (I'm guessing with her leg, only a half move is possible.)

Do I roll for the drone to shoot? I'm going to assume so for the moment- but discount if not. It reads like an automatic system so I feel like I'd have no control.

Drone BS 22 +10 (short range) +10(standard attack) +10(half aim?)
Rolled 20 https://orokos.com/roll/645882

4 DoS

Wound 15 pen 4
https://orokos.com/roll/645883

Here is my roll for a possible new uniform. IFL 27 + 60

Engineer field uniform: 1d100 53

All right, good roll! Just to reiterate, +60/-60 are the maximum bonuses/penalties a test can ever have. This test received a +30 (Fio'ui's favor) and +30 ("abundant" availability)

You can find the ability modifiers on page 140 of the DH2 rulebook.

I'll get an updated post shortly. The Earth Caste Field-Fatigues grant 3 AP to every location except the head. They are made out of the same material that fire warriors wear under their combat armor.

Nitafrong, remember the new "Reload" rules. You can always "use" a reload for specific benefits, one of which is making two attacks in the same round. Might be useful.

Oh I hadn't realised that was an additional function for the reload. I'm going to have to go for that- if all three of these things get into combat with me- which will be on their next turn, I don't really fancy her chances.

So going to expend a reload to get an extra shot.
Number 1
BS 22 +10 (range) +10(standard attack)
Rolled 25 https://orokos.com/roll/646405

2 DoS
Wound Roll- 18 Ap4
https://orokos.com/roll/646408

Number 2
BS 22 +10 (range) +10(standard attack)
Rolled 9 https://orokos.com/roll/646409

4 DoS
Wound roll 13 Ap4
BS 22 +10 (range) +10(standard attack)

Flip I did not expect to make both shots. I really should have taken the gamble with the second one and chose rapid fire- but I didn't think I'd roll as well. Still going to be at least one getting into combat and I don't rate her chances too highly.

For her part Vra'fa will get into a defensive stance.

Excellent! The escort drone only has 1 reload left. So, if you roll anywhere from 90 - 00, it will be forced to reload and could even be a jam depending on how bad the roll is. You can also use your last reload for another special effect.

Once you have 0 reloads left, if you roll 90 - 00, that's it. You're out of ammo until you can acquire more.

That will also destroy two more, leaving one cave ghoul remaining.

Agh yeah I'm going to have to be careful. Having a jam or running out of ammo down here wouldn't be the best.
Right- next drone roll.

BS 22 +10(range) +10 (standard attack)
Rolled 22 https://orokos.com/roll/646564
2 DoS

Wound roll 13 Ap4
https://orokos.com/roll/646565

Vra'fa will remain in defensive stance.

A small note for Elanro; I am currently considering that with the talents Light Sleeper and Paranoia, he is essentially as aware asleep as he is awake (correct me if I'm wrong). In case someone tries to surprise him while asleep. I also mentioned scent as this seems to be the strongest tau sense; I would say his nose is open for any awareness rolls required.

Excited to get started!

Light Sleeper has always bothered me for some reason and I never could put my finger on it. I think it is worded well for how it works - assuming that the smallest change would wake the character and thus allowing them to test for awareness when they otherwise would not be able to due to sleep. But I do not interpret it to mean that you are always aware to everything that is going on even when asleep. I interpret it to mean that you will be able to make awareness tests while asleep with no penalty. At the end of the day, the dice are still in charge and all that.

However, it mentions at the end that they also do not sleep well as a result with no technical way to put this into play. I am going to add that tests to avoid fatigue will be at a penalty (probably -10) for PCs with the talent.

I think both Light Sleeper and Paranoia fit your character build very well. He is going to be a grumpy prick, that's for sure.

Fun Fact: Tau's olfactory senses are located in their mouths. So you'll be, in a sense, eating the scents of all those nasties trying to sneak up on you and end your early retirement.

He will be a very grumpy individual. No doubt about that.

The "always aware" thought came more from the combination of paranoia+light sleeper. He will be really twitchy.

I love that everyone and then some voted in our poll. No love for the Vespid or Demiurg surprisingly! I like seeing the love for the Tarellian though. That was my vote as well.

OK, so right now we are still getting everyone acquainted. Keep doing so, and just let me know when the group is collectively ready to head out.

Someone will stand up for the demiurg. IF I CANT HAVE MY SQUATS, I NEED MY SPACE DWARVES!

btw. I actually wanted to draw all of us in the TX5 but its was not as easy. so i started with a little overview of our sizes. Sorry if you imagined yourself different than how i made you look I thought this could be helpful at some point (when drawing all four characters at once for example ^^)

So fantastic! Thank you!

+20 Navigation Surface from anyone who knows the skill. +0 if unknown.

Also, anyone else who has the skill at known may attempt to assist, but the assist roles must be made first.

Sent from Topic'it App

Land Navigation http://orokos.com/roll/652062 = 15 vs 53 = 4 DoS

Land Navigation: 1d100 6 vs 46 = 5 DoS (*edited from 4 to 5)

Just to clarify the rules, Alive, because you do not have Navigate (surface) known you normally would have attempted the test at -20. However, because it is a +20 test, you attempt at +0.

Gorthrax's successful assistance roll gives an additional +10 to your test. So you really tests at 56.

6 vs 56 = 6 DoS (1 DoS for success +5 DoS)

A very good roll indeed.

I see, I see. I used the +0 as you wrote in Line Didn't knew the assist is something I would benefit from. But it makes perfect sense.

Does this mean, we are driving through the outback suddenly stumble upon a chocolate fountain or something ^^

You did well. Assistance for tests is usually a good strategy to go by if you have a party member who can assist nearby.

Now that you mention it, yes. That is what it means. Sort of. I will give you guys this time to answer Vra'fa's questions and roleplay with one another a bit more. I like the interactions immensely.

operate surface: 1d100 76 vs 60 = -2 DoS.

(Can there be - DoS)? ^^"

Negative DoS are called DoF (degrees of failure). Glad that it's only 2, because 3 DoF is usually the threshold for something truly terrible to happen.

I went through the vehicle rules, decided that 3 DoF constituted an "out of control vehicle" (pg. 255-56) which for skimmers means a crash and rolled 1d5 on the hull critical effect table. Got a 2, so no big deal, but the vehicle has slowed to half speed until it can be repaired.

To repair it you need to bring it to a complete stop. Tech Use +10 will fix this as it is lightly damaged.

Vra'fa Tech use- assist roll
Int 42 +10
Rolled 21
https://orokos.com/roll/653524

4 DoS

46 INT
nano tool +10
skills, caste +5; +10 trained skill
artol assist +10
vra'fa assist +10
tech-use in such situation +10

Tech use (TX5 repair): 1d100 15 vs 101 = LOL / 9 DoS

Five days since my last update - yikes. I really apologize guys. I don't like leaving this much lag time in between my updates, but you all have been fantastic in keeping the RP up. I appreciate that.

Na'no repairs the shit out of the gas line lol. Like insanely well done. IC UPDATE INCOMING.

Awareness test:

http://orokos.com/roll/654292
45

Base awareness 41+20, 2 DoS

Apologies I've been quiet this week.

I'm going to give this cloud close scrutiny and then get an IC in.

Survival https://orokos.com/roll/654821 = 16 vs 53 = 4 DoS

Assuming the cloud is natural what are we looking at... sandstorm?

What is the survival roll for exactly? A place to lay low while you observe?

To try and decipher what it is, I need -20 awareness roll from this distance.

I guess survival might tell me if its natural? I'm thinking survival skills would keep me aware of 'dangerous' weather... heavy snow clouds, sand storms etc... Does it look natural or are we so far away at the moment that its just the awareness roll you've mentioned.

awareness https://orokos.com/roll/655001 = 3 vs 23 = 3 DoS

I thought I made it clear elsewhere, but perhaps I forgot. Going around the cloud will add quite a bit o time to the journey. You will not make it to the oasis this day if you do so. This is a huge valley.

Awareness check:

http://orokos.com/roll/656693  67 vs 41, 3 DoF


Elanro aint seeing great today...

Awareness check- to see if there looks like anything dangerous or moving at all in the plants

Per: 36
Rolled 20 https://orokos.com/roll/656702

2 DoS

Coast looks clear.

@Jeff - are any of the plants separate from the 'mob'? I'm thinking of shooting one to test out what happens. I'm envisioning explosions or something if the plants are buoyed by gases.

Would be good to know what we might be getting in to.

Na'No also makes an awareness check:

Awareness check (cloud): 1d100 23 vs. 43 = 3 DoS

nothing new to see here I guess

Carnelian wrote:

@Jeff - are any of the plants separate from the 'mob'? I'm thinking of shooting one to test out what happens. I'm envisioning explosions or something if the plants are buoyed by gases.

Would be good to know what we might be getting in to.

Now there's an idea...

No plants are immediately separate. I mean, it's a floating beautiful forest.

So, what are we doing? Someone take the reigns and let's get this moving.

Lets go forward!