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Finally... => Forum Games and Roleplaying => Roll To Dodge => Topic started by: GoombaGeek on October 14, 2012, 07:58:06 pm

Title: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: GoombaGeek on October 14, 2012, 07:58:06 pm
In a world not unlike our own, but much different…

The year is 1838. A brave party of explorers, adventurers and big hairy mountain guys embark to conquer the great Pointy Mountain Range that separates the bustling city of Vanceattle from the Less Notable Ocean and its untold riches, and to bring back the wealth that lies beneath the mountain peaks.

One month into the expedition, the caravans are caught in a spontaneous micro-volcanic eruption, charring them beyond recognition. With an ample food supply, the group decides to strike the earth, and it is told in numerous legends that after the very first pickaxe swing, the head miner reached down and yanked a pure nugget of gleaming zinc straight out of the cracked earth, the most noble of metals. The mine was soon expanded into the largest zinc-refining operation on the planet, sending caravans all over the continent and growing extremely rich.

However, in 1842, the François-Müller Method of zinc extraction was discovered, allowing zinc to be produced in vast quantities with nothing but a fresh source of seawater, a certain species of fungus and a neutron gun. The zinc mine was closed, boarded up, and cemented over, and the miners switched from mining to offering historic tours and operating bed-and-breakfasts for the travelers hoping to found their own outpost overlooking the Less Notable Ocean.

The year is 1938. Emotionally hardened by the horrors of the Third Gulf War, Steve the Nameless One, eminent nuclear metaphysicist and metaphilosopher, discovered the true horrors of osmiridium-215, and was fatally poisoned by its intense radiation. Before he died, Steve wrote a letter to the President detailing how mankind could either use his new isotope to forge a clean future of practically free energy, or blow itself to hell in about three months of hard work. Nuclear scientists were immediately set to work in the most suitable location possible: the abandoned zinc mines from a hundred years ago, so deep in the mountain that no radiation-measuring satellite could possibly detect a clandestine nuclear research facility. New tunnels were dug, hazardous materials were poured into distant tunnels with reckless abandon and within a year, half the continent was irradiated desert.

The year is 2038. Civilization has re-claimed most of the land bombed during the Fifth Gulf War of 1939, and the Robot Halls of the Old World have been crippled by a recent extrasolar storm. The Robot Royal Prime Minister of the United Robot Fiefdom is one of the casualties, and a power vacuum opens up, devastating the delicate structure of international power-politics. The Republic of Vanceattle Prime, half a world away, sends a crack team of armed forces to recover its rusting nuclear weapons from deep within the halls of the two-hundred-year-old zinc mine in the mountains, and bring them safely back to the capital for a reason known only to the President.

The team makes its way through the damp entrance, covered by vegetation to hide secrets that became common knowledge centuries ago. Soon, they reach the smoother hallways and rooms, and then the once-lit corridors with broken metal furniture, and then the almost undamaged rooms with anti-humidity safes built to preserve everything learned within the facility. Eventually, they wind their way into a narrow entrance that hasn’t been touched for centuries. Nuggets of zinc are visible in the walls, showing that they’re at where the zinc miners had reached before the mine was suddenly abandoned. Nowadays, zinc is the most plentiful metal of industry, but some among them remember a history lesson telling them about the high value of zinc before a cheap way of obtaining it was found. Lining the walls is a stockpile of mass destruction that would make a dictator cry.

There are so many bombs here, they look like an array of hot water tanks. Some are clearly empty. Others are broken. One still has a faint light glowing on the outside, primed for a war that ended long ago. Where there aren’t bombs, there are bins and boxes of strictly regulated materials of all kinds, including one gigantic lead safe labeled “OSMIRIDIUM-215, DO NOT STEAL”. Osmiridium-215?! The most horrifying of radioactive materials, as poisonous as it is a handy source of gamma rays? The stuff that ended two wars at once? Even worse, the safe is being used as a support beam in the tunnel, and the weight has shortened it by at least six inches. If it ever broke, Vanceattle would probably have to be evacuated.

The task force leaves, reports of the terrifying wonders of the abandoned mine in hand. But then, disaster strikes. As the team reaches the main research room, a multi-storied complex filled with toppled desks and obsolete equipment, deep enough underground to be protected from severe moisture damage, the leader tries to push open the main blast door, opening the way for the bombs to be hauled out. A robotic voice crackles to life.

<PASSCODE-?>

The leader, frustrated, kicks the door, but it won’t budge.

<PASSCODE-?>

A keypad is located next to the door, embedded deep within the solid shielding. Unfortunately, the symbols on the keys have worn off ages ago, as evidenced by the paint flakes on the floor. Swearing, the leader kicks the keypad, too.

Everything goes white as the keypad detonates, reducing the leader to an angry cloud of atoms and those nearest to him to depressing lumps of charcoal. Those who are not changed into a baser form are flung across the room, mostly dying on impact, others already dead from the blast wave. A few, still in the previous corridor, have half a second to react before a very heavy door slams down in front of them, while a red light turns on. The sign below, if you were an extremely fast reader, says “LOCKDOWN: FACILITY COMPROMISED”. A very loud noise is heard, and the door bends, but does not give. Those locked in the corridors have some hope, are not yet dead, should probably get medical attention soon, and need to find a way out. Who are they?

CHARACTER CREATION

- Give a name, and some physical attributes because I’m hoping to draw some scenes. Don’t say anything ridiculous like “6’8”, weighs 250 pounds of pure muscle, is a prime hunk of man-beef and has one red eye and one black eye.”
- You have an inventory, but unfortunately it is all filled with the same stuff at the beginning.
- It will be impossible to retcon in new characters later on, so strike while the iron’s hot. But don’t feel obligated to make your own self-insert either, because we don’t want one character for every single thread participant (which would also alienate latecomers). Just suggest names and try to come to some sort of consensus, so that different people can suggest actions for the same character later on.
- If you set off a nuke in your pants, you will die. Try not to do things like that.

ROLLS

Yes, it’s a RTD, so what did you expect? Standard rules all around.
[1]: Failure with negative consequences
[2]: Plain ol’ failure
[3]: The bare minimum
[4]: Mostly successful
[5]: Success!
[6]: You have done too well and bad things will happen.

For EXTRA-CRITICAL stuff, we may use a CRITICAL ACTION SYSTEM™ and a D12:

[1]: You failed so badly that something good happened.
[2]: You failed so badly that something mediocre happened.
[3]: You failed so extremely that absolutely nothing good happened.
[4]: You failed and you probably won’t get the intended result.
[5]: You failed only a little bit and have still done somewhat okay.
[6]: You failed to do a good job. You have done a mediocre job.
[7]: You succeeded at not failing. You have done a mediocre job.
[8]: You succeeded at your action. Okay!
[9]: You succeeded at your action and have done very well!
[10]: You succeeded very nicely and everything is copasetic!
[11]: You succeeded so much that there may be an untold side-effect!
[12]: You succeeded so incredibly much that there may be failings in your future! Oh no!

DEFAULT INVENTORY

- Basic Clothes: These are comfortable and possibly unsuited for secret clandestine stealth missions. Oh well…
- Zinc Nugget: While no-one else was looking, you just had to pocket one of these. The anions contained within will help you sleep better and regulate your heart rate. But don’t fall asleep here because you’ll probably get cancer.
- Geiger Counter: Surplus from the war. Yours keeps clicking, it’s probably broken or something.
- Car Keys: If you ever manage to return to the armoured convoy outside, you’ll be able to hop in and start driving. Also useful for etching little penises on painted surfaces.
- Hazmat Suit: You never know what you’ll find in these abandoned mines full of old nuclear weapons! Just in case, you were issued these ultra-portable suits. They probably won’t be much help, but hey, better safe than irradiated.
- Day Planner: Appointment @ 4:30: Recover lost nuclear weapons cache. Check!
- Ballpoint Pen: In case you can’t vandalize something with your keys, there’s always this. You had another one but it burst in your pocket.
- Night-Vision Contacts: Now you don’t have to let total darkness get in the way of the plot. Science marches on!

SYNTAX

Preface actions with > so we can tell that you're suggesting something.
Before the >, put the character's name. Here's an example:
Quote from: Some guy
Urist McAverage > Burn everything

Also, this is not like BAY12 ALLCAPS ZOMBIE STD SPIN TO DODGE, it's somewhat formal so don't say things like
Quote from: You know who you are
URIST MCEXAMPLE > EAT SUN

All right, I sure hope this is compelling enough!

CHARACTERS
Jeremiah Douglass: Farm guy, comes from a large family, enlisted because he thought it was cool.
Michael Caine: Tall, word is in the street he's a decent guy.
Samuel Malbeau: Old. Mustache. Glasses. He wants to find his parents even though he's old and they're probably dead.
Title: Re: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: Greenstarfanatic on October 14, 2012, 08:18:07 pm
Reserve! sheet coming soon.
Title: Re: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on October 14, 2012, 08:30:50 pm
Name: Jeremiah Douglass
Description: 5'8", wiry. Blonde hair, gray eyes
Past: Jeremiah came from a religious family, 11th of 13 kids. He grew up in want, if not in poverty. When the chance to join the army, he jumped at it, tested well, and joined a special forces group. He's never looked back and tries not to think about his past.
Title: Re: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: Joben on October 14, 2012, 09:06:22 pm
lol I feel like this could somehow be the backstory for Girl Genius.  ???

Michael Caine
Tall and blue eyed with wavy blonde hair.
Infantry Lieutenant from a 'good family.'
Not a lot of people know it but he's really a decent guy. Actually wait, he's obviously an absurdly decent guy.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)

*fixing borken image*
Title: Re: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on October 14, 2012, 09:08:57 pm
Maybe, but that would require a LOT of work...
Title: Re: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: Greenstarfanatic on October 14, 2012, 09:42:51 pm
Name: Samuel Malbeau
Description: Slender, little hair, and what he has left is gray. Fading Handlebar Mustache, has to wear glasses, but has surprisingly good lower body strength. Oft wears blue plaid jackets.
Past: Cannot Remember anything. His lifelong quest is to somehow find his parents.
Title: Re: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: GoombaGeek on October 14, 2012, 10:25:00 pm
BEFORE CHARACTER SELECT:
(http://oi45.tinypic.com/15cocbp.jpg)
Quote from: GreatWyrmGold on October 14, 2012, 08:30:50 pm
THEN CHARACTER SELECT PART ONE HAPPENED
Name: Jeremiah Douglass
Description: 5'8", wiry. Blonde hair, gray eyes
Past: Jeremiah came from a religious family, 11th of 13 kids. He grew up in want, if not in poverty. When the chance to join the army, he jumped at it, tested well, and joined a special forces group. He's never looked back and tries not to think about his past.
YOU ARE DISSATISFIED WITH YOUR PRESENT SITUATION
Quote from: Joben on October 14, 2012, 09:06:22 pm
lol I feel like this could somehow be the backstory for Girl Genius.  ???

Michael Caine
Tall and blue eyed with wavy blonde hair.
Infantry Lieutenant from a 'good family.'
Not a lot of people know it but he's really a decent guy. Actually wait, he's obviously an absurdly decent guy.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)

*fixing borken image*
EVEN IF FUNNY REFERENCE, I DO NOT GET FUNNY REFERENCE
I AM SAD
Quote from: Greenstarfanatic on October 14, 2012, 09:42:51 pm
Name: Samuel Malbeau
Description: Slender, little hair, and what he has left is gray. Fading Handlebar Mustache, has to wear glasses, but has surprisingly good lower body strength. Oft wears blue plaid jackets.
Past: Cannot Remember anything. His lifelong quest is to somehow find his parents.
YOU WOULD BE WEARING YOUR JACKET IF IT WASN'T LOCKED IN THE CONVOY
WATCH OUT, YOUR MUSTACHE MAY TAKE CRITICAL DAMAGE IF IT REMAINS IN THE CAVE FOR TOO LONG

HERE ARE FIRST THREE PEOPLE
ALLCAPS IS JUST TO GET THIS STARTED
(http://oi45.tinypic.com/hupx0i.jpg)
MUSTACHE GUY DOES NOT CARE

Character select is still open, I just wanted to draw something.
Title: Re: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: Greenstarfanatic on October 14, 2012, 10:48:01 pm
((...So....What do we do?))
Title: Re: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: Joben on October 14, 2012, 11:05:20 pm
((It's not really a funny reference so much as a quirky random one...The character I suggested is basically the one Michael Caine plays in the awesome 1968 movie ZULU (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/zulu/). Also "A lot of people don't know that (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX0F3kY3uxU)" is a Michael Caine catch phrase for some reason) This just seemed like a setting where it would be fun to play a Stiff-Upper-Lip British guy and he popped into my head.))
Title: Re: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: Greenstarfanatic on October 15, 2012, 12:09:19 am
((Also, is it bad that I read the Inventory in Cave Johnson's voice? Fun Fact: My character's name is MY name, changed by two letters!))
Run away? With my pen in hand, in case i have to re-draw my mustache.
Title: Re: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: DinosaurusRex_x on October 15, 2012, 06:52:47 am
Reserve, should have something up by lunchtime. (3-4hrs)
Title: Re: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: GoombaGeek on October 15, 2012, 10:11:15 pm
Quote from: Greenstarfanatic on October 15, 2012, 12:09:19 am
((Also, is it bad that I read the Inventory in Cave Johnson's voice? Fun Fact: My character's name is MY name, changed by two letters!))
Run away? With my pen in hand, in case i have to re-draw my mustache.
You run away at maximum speed. Unfortunately, you are in a small chamber and there is nowhere to run. You feel sad and your mustache tingles in response. A couple of people are still unconscious - this is your first assignment together and you don't recognize them. (These are the unselected characters, cough cough hint.)

I've been looking things up, and mustache is probably not in critical danger unless you receive a near-lethal dose. So it's like a safety barometer on your face.
Title: Re: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on October 15, 2012, 10:33:39 pm
Don hazmat suit.
Title: Re: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: GoombaGeek on October 17, 2012, 08:28:35 am
You put on the hazmat suit. Immediately, you are filled with a sense of security and happiness.

Anyone up for more select? If not, this is formally starting.

Remember, you can suggest actions for any character, even if you haven't made any characters. Give names.
Title: Re: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: Greenstarfanatic on October 17, 2012, 09:57:57 am
>Twirl Mustache
Title: Re: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: GoombaGeek on October 17, 2012, 08:13:11 pm
Quote from: Greenstarfanatic on October 17, 2012, 09:57:57 am
>Twirl Mustache
I threw this dice straight up. It hit the ceiling and straightened out - as it fell, it didn't spin a millimeter. Hitting the carpet with an unmoving thud (again, not spinning at all on impact), it revealed...
[1]
Sam twirls his mustache out of boredom. Unfortunately, his finger is covered in nervous sweat, and his mustache soaks it right up. Bonding inextricably, his finger is hopelessly ensnared to the mustache. Pull as he might (but not too hard, he doesn't want to lose the 'stache), it will not come loose.
Title: Re: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: Gotdamnmiracle on October 17, 2012, 08:46:48 pm
Posting to watch this badness!
Title: Re: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on October 17, 2012, 09:20:32 pm
Quote from: GoombaGeek on October 17, 2012, 08:13:11 pm
Quote from: Greenstarfanatic on October 17, 2012, 09:57:57 am
>Twirl Mustache
I threw this dice straight up. It hit the ceiling and straightened out - as it fell, it didn't spin a millimeter. Hitting the carpet with an unmoving thud (again, not spinning at all on impact), it revealed...
[1]
Sam twirls his mustache out of boredom. Unfortunately, his finger is covered in nervous sweat, and his mustache soaks it right up. Bonding inextricably, his finger is hopelessly ensnared to the mustache. Pull as he might (but not too hard, he doesn't want to lose the 'stache), it will not come loose.
This is the saddest 1 I have seen in a long time.
Title: Re: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: Greenstarfanatic on October 17, 2012, 11:51:13 pm
Quote from: GreatWyrmGold on October 17, 2012, 09:20:32 pm
Quote from: GoombaGeek on October 17, 2012, 08:13:11 pm
Quote from: Greenstarfanatic on October 17, 2012, 09:57:57 am
>Twirl Mustache
I threw this dice straight up. It hit the ceiling and straightened out - as it fell, it didn't spin a millimeter. Hitting the carpet with an unmoving thud (again, not spinning at all on impact), it revealed...
[1]
Sam twirls his mustache out of boredom. Unfortunately, his finger is covered in nervous sweat, and his mustache soaks it right up. Bonding inextricably, his finger is hopelessly ensnared to the mustache. Pull as he might (but not too hard, he doesn't want to lose the 'stache), it will not come loose.
This is the saddest 1 I have seen in a long time.

True. Time to get a 5 to comprimise.
>Remove hand for 'stache and proceed to draw on the walls until something important happens.
Title: Re: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on October 18, 2012, 06:43:14 am
Try to get out.
Title: Re: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: GoombaGeek on October 18, 2012, 08:35:26 am
Quote from: Greenstarfanatic on October 17, 2012, 11:51:13 pm
Quote from: GreatWyrmGold on October 17, 2012, 09:20:32 pm
Quote from: GoombaGeek on October 17, 2012, 08:13:11 pm
Quote from: Greenstarfanatic on October 17, 2012, 09:57:57 am
>Twirl Mustache
I threw this dice straight up. It hit the ceiling and straightened out - as it fell, it didn't spin a millimeter. Hitting the carpet with an unmoving thud (again, not spinning at all on impact), it revealed...
[1]
Sam twirls his mustache out of boredom. Unfortunately, his finger is covered in nervous sweat, and his mustache soaks it right up. Bonding inextricably, his finger is hopelessly ensnared to the mustache. Pull as he might (but not too hard, he doesn't want to lose the 'stache), it will not come loose.
This is the saddest 1 I have seen in a long time.

True. Time to get a 5 to comprimise.
>Remove hand for 'stache and proceed to draw on the walls until something important happens.
[2]
Your hand remains ensnared in your mustache. You use your car keys to scratch a little guy in the wall, sporting an equally magnificent mustache. You are pleased by this rendition.
Quote from: GreatWyrmGold on October 18, 2012, 06:43:14 am
Try to get out.
[6]
Behind you, Sam appears to be trapped in his own facial hair, and Mike is sitting on a tipped-over bomb despite the very real hazard of testicular cancer. You decide to take action!

The fallen figures have stopped moving [because character select is CLOSED, you guys, unless that guy gets his reserve sheet up soon]. You are worried about this, and decide to try to get out. Picking up a bar of what looks like inert lead (your pocket doesn't click any louder when you pick it up), you try to bash the door down. Unfortunately, it is a solid metal door, and lead is a soft metal. The bar squishes a bit, and the door doesn't move. Looking beside the door, you see a button labeled "BLAST DOOR UNLOCK". Pushing it, you hear a click, and a handle springs out of the door.

Working together, you and Mike manage to lift the door about a foot, as Sam wriggles underneath it, hand in 'stache the entire time. When he's on the other side, Mike's hands slip off the handle and the door slams shut. You are trapped in a room behind a door that takes two people to open. As you stare at the handle, the door rises suddenly and the handle hits you in the forehead. You are expected to bruise there, but you're free! Clearly there was an Emergency Motorized Override switch on the other side! You step out and see less of a glassy underground wasteland than you thought - thick foam appears to have automatically sprayed over the fallout from the micro-nuke blast and it wasn't much of a radioactive explosion to begin with, and hardened into something resembling either expanding foam sealant or diet recipes. You could dig through it if you wanted, but you'd probably only find a thin spread of hazardous dust and burn marks - everything in this room was stored on archaic computers, and most have been tipped over (plus the nano-punch cards that defined that era of computing will have burned up in the blast). Oh well, at least a thick lead brochure rack appears to have survived, although it's tipped over and sunken into the foam.
Title: Re: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: Greenstarfanatic on October 18, 2012, 09:53:18 am
Try to grab the brochure stand to use as a weapon.
Title: Re: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: Joben on October 18, 2012, 10:34:02 am
Mike: Find and read brochure. Maybe one survived!
Title: Re: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: GoombaGeek on October 18, 2012, 01:28:17 pm
Quote from: Greenstarfanatic on October 18, 2012, 09:53:18 am
Try to grab the brochure stand to use as a weapon.
[6]
You try to lift up the brochure stand with your mighty arm, but it is not enough. You will need to extract your hand from the mustache. With a heavy heart, you pull and pull, until your finger comes free with a pop. Your philtrum erupts in agony as the deepest bed of your facial hair is disturbed, but it appears you have not lost the 'stache... for now.

The stand will not be lifted, but it can be rolled with effort. After rolling it once, a shelf-ful of brochures cheerily stares out in various degrees of charredness and age.

Quote from: Joben on October 18, 2012, 10:34:02 am
Mike: Find and read brochure. Maybe one survived!
You pick a likely-looking brochure entitled "NUCLEAR SECRETS AND YOU: BOMBING FOREIGNERS WITHOUT LETTING ON TO ANYTHING." On the first page is a full-page spread of antique advertisements for various health products and antique quackery.
"Purchase Dr. Phineas' Best Nuclear Baldness Enhancer! Containing REAL plutonium oxides, Dr. Phineas' will make your hair fall out almost immediately. Phone today post-haste and acquire 3 bottles plus a bonus uranium-enriched Bald Comb for only $2.00!"
"The Miracle of LEAD: Enhance Your Vision with "Nature's Cure", bathed in Healthful Mercury Solution."
"How to CURE AUTISM with Aluminium Pillules in Three E-Z Steps!"
Beyond the ads is a very long article on how to keep any nuclear secrets you may happen to be developing out of the hands of capitalist spies. Tips include locking your briefcase, offering anyone suspiciously eager to see the facility a tour of the hazardous waste cistern from the inside (future note to self: avoid pits into hazardous waste cisterns), printing everything on edible paper and carrying a murder pill everywhere you go (like a suicide pill, but more external). This advice will come in handy if you ever decide to develop obsolete nuclear secrets, but otherwise it's useless.
Title: Re: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: GreatWyrmGold on October 18, 2012, 04:56:18 pm
Locate plot-significant stuff.
Or anything, really.
Title: Re: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: Greenstarfanatic on October 18, 2012, 09:35:45 pm
Quote from: GreatWyrmGold on October 18, 2012, 04:56:18 pm
Locate plot-significant stuff.
Or anything, really.

Help him. Use Awesome Mustache to enhance his power.
Title: Re: Tales of the Lost Zinc Mine: Exciting and Serious RTD
Post by: Joben on October 19, 2012, 07:30:56 pm
Mike: Search for other exits to this room.