Post by: hermes on July 02, 2013, 11:59:44 am
Stalker – Community RPG Game
Thirteen years ago the Visitation occurred. At six points along the 43rd parallel on the earth's surface something, or someone, caused the laws of nature to degenerate within discrete circles of land, radiating up into the cold of space. These six Forbidden Zones, just “Zones” now, have redefined humanity most immediately by forcing political and technological change, but more deeply by insisting on collective philosophical and religious meditation. Yet what each Zone contains has been only seen, thusfar, to be nothing short of monstrous. Perversions of reason, order and physical law that mock humanity's curiosity and will to control.
You are a Stalker, an illegal scavenger both hunted by the Institute that would control the Zones, and hunter of Artefacts within the Zones. What kind of person would risk life and sanity for inexplicable trinkets? Or maybe the Artefacts are not what you are along for, maybe you seek some other resolution within the Zones. Though science can find no answers, that does not mean there are none to be found.
The first mission shall take place in the Japan Zone. The team shall start in the borderland city of Sapporo. The circle demarcates the absolute perimeter of the Zone, 72km in diameter, but the border region effectively encompasses the whole of Hokkaido, which has become once again a dark uninhabited island, except for the Chitose Airport-Sapporo corridor which maintains a thriving underworld in a place where the light of law shines very weakly.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9nx1vBHln8k/UdMCyo9yryI/AAAAAAAAEBs/c6GSFGGbXxI/s640/JapanZone.png)
This is a diceless RPG game. The team's performace, nay, survival, shall be determined by the quality of its answers, discussion and preparation. Before character creation, please claim a slot. Before you claim a slot, please bear in mind:
- You may die in the game.
- You may be injured, and it shall be scientifically graphic.
- The minimum time between updates shall be a week, this shall be a slow game.
- If you skip a turn or leave either another player may take, or I shall puppet, your character.
- No knowledge of the lore or book is necessary, anyone is welcome to play.
You can buy the PDF from here (http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/100243/STALKER---The-SciFi-Roleplaying-Game) or a printed copy from here (http://www.lulu.com/shop/ville-vuorela/stalker-rpg/paperback/product-20046636.html). It won't be necessary for the players of the game, but it is recommended. A great read!
Roll call:
| ID | POSITION | NAME | AGE | NATIONALITY | STATUS |
| LordBucket | Mozg | Alexei Konovalov | 28 | Russian | FINE |
| hector13 | Driver | Corban 'Wheels' Hodge | 26 | Scottish | FINE |
| USEC_OFFICER | Doc | Marcus Jekyll | 52 | Canadian | Broken tooth |
| Zako | Saru | Kasumi 'Lynx' Himashi | 23 | Japanese | FINE |
| The13thRonin | Muscle | Jack 'Apocalypse' Fitzpatrick | 30 | Australian | Unconscious |
| DaveTheGrave | Scout | Tyler Stye | 19 | Canadian | FINE |
Stalker team positions:
| ENGLISH | RUSSIAN | JAPANESE | DESCRIPTION |
| Monkey | Zmeja | Saru | Acrobat/athlete, may access hard to reach places. |
| Muscle | Robot | Nikuman | Gunman, bodyguard, heavy. |
| Doc | Kostolom | Sensei | Treats the injured. |
| Scout | Norka | Sukauto | Sneak survivalist, finds safe routes. |
| Prof | Otshkarik | Hakase | Provides Zone knowledge in the field. Same service available in border area. |
| Driver | Vodila | Doraibaa | Driver, handyman, thief. |
| Chef | Grutzshik | Kokko-san | Quartermaster, mothers the team. |
| Boss | Mozg | Kantoku | Planner, tactician, negotiator. |
Turn list...
| TURN 00 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=128016.msg4394222#msg4394222) | The Stalkers arrive in Japan |
| TURN 01 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=128016.msg4400483#msg4400483) | The doctor arrives |
| TURN 02 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=128016.msg4406361#msg4406361) | The mission is accepted |
| TURN 03 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=128016.msg4433207#msg4433207) | The shopping trip begins |
Post by: hermes on July 02, 2013, 12:00:13 pm
Spoiler: How challenges and contests work (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Gameplay Tips (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Character Creation (click to show/hide)
Post by: FritzPL on July 02, 2013, 01:54:30 pm
Post by: LordBucket on July 02, 2013, 02:23:55 pm
Before character creation, please claim a slot.
Claiming a slot
Post by: CognitiveDissonance on July 02, 2013, 05:01:40 pm
Post by: hector13 on July 02, 2013, 05:16:23 pm
Post by: Bdthemag on July 02, 2013, 05:21:28 pm
Post by: hermes on July 02, 2013, 07:21:36 pm
Claiming a slot
Roger!
PTW. I'd play, but I have never played any of the STALKER games. I should...
Neither have I, and I suspect nobody here has (played the book RPG), so don't worry.
I'd be quite interested in this, though I just got married and I'm going on my honeymoon for about 8 days or so on 13th July. Will that be a problem?
Congratulations! It shouldn't be an issue. It may take a week or two to setup, quite possibly. Enjoy the honeymoon!
Not super interested in a Japanese STALKER type, but what the hell. I'm kind of confused how this will play out though without dice or the usual RPG setup. Will this basically be we suggest what we want to do, and you interpret it and basically do what you want? Also, what are supposed to base characters off of since there's no real S.T.A.L.K.E.R. lore regarding Japan?
I want to minimise the amount of playing I do, and maximise player-player interactions to solve obstacles in character. The more the players discuss through their actions, the better their plan, the better the outcome.
Having the RPG book would help with character creation, PDF may be bought here (http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/100243/STALKER---The-SciFi-Roleplaying-Game) or printed copy from here (http://www.lulu.com/shop/ville-vuorela/stalker-rpg/paperback/product-20046636.html), but it is not necessary. I shall post a couple of example characters and tell you how to allocate points. It is not too hard, and pretty much anything is OK. Your characters can come from any country and have any pre-stalker history you like. You don't need to know anything about Japan or stalking or the Zones specifically as everyone shall, more or less, be a green stalker - though that doesn't mean you can't have experience/knowledge on the periphery of the business.
The character sheet is available here (http://www.burgergames.com/stalker/EN_web/stasheet_en.pdf). Don't worry about points yet, but you can begin to think about their past. What is most important there is why your character has become a stalker
Post by: Bdthemag on July 02, 2013, 07:50:02 pm
Post by: USEC_OFFICER on July 02, 2013, 08:09:20 pm
Post by: Zako on July 02, 2013, 11:29:13 pm
Post by: The13thRonin on July 03, 2013, 12:46:46 am
Post by: Zako on July 03, 2013, 11:48:20 pm
Kasumi Himashi, Saru, 23 years old, Japanese
Post by: evilcherry on July 04, 2013, 05:40:58 am
Doctor I'd replace with Isha. Isha means expressly the medical doctor - Sensei means master which can be a lot of things.
Professor is more accurately Kyoujyu. Hakase means, not coincidentally, a Doctoral Degree Holder.
Post by: hermes on July 04, 2013, 10:09:19 am
Claim a slot but want to fix the Wapanese first.
Doctor I'd replace with Isha. Isha means expressly the medical doctor - Sensei means master which can be a lot of things.
Professor is more accurately Kyoujyu. Hakase means, not coincidentally, a Doctoral Degree Holder.
My Japanese is not great at all... but I was going for natural names. Kantoku is like a baseball team coach, Nikuman is a cheap joke based on Kinnikuman. With Doctor, they are referred to, perhaps, in writing by Isha but almost exclusively when speaking to a doctor people will say Sensei. With Professor, I'm not sure. I might change that one, so thanks for the tip :)
Post by: evilcherry on July 04, 2013, 11:18:54 am
OK I've added Character creation info to the second post. LordBucket has already sent me a complete character sheet, the deadline for submission we'll say is in one week, then it will start.But Sensei can be anything. Author, Teacher, Academic, Priest, Professional (Chess) Player, Lawyer, and Physicians are all referred to as sensei in speech. Its essentially a honorific.Claim a slot but want to fix the Wapanese first.
Doctor I'd replace with Isha. Isha means expressly the medical doctor - Sensei means master which can be a lot of things.
Professor is more accurately Kyoujyu. Hakase means, not coincidentally, a Doctoral Degree Holder.
My Japanese is not great at all... but I was going for natural names. Kantoku is like a baseball team coach, Nikuman is a cheap joke based on Kinnikuman. With Doctor, they are referred to, perhaps, in writing by Isha but almost exclusively when speaking to a doctor people will say Sensei. With Professor, I'm not sure. I might change that one, so thanks for the tip :)
I mean, calling the leader head coach isn't much of a problem. Calling someone Sensei is essentially calling him "sir" without capitals.
When A Japanese want to see a doctor, he'd say お医者さんを見に行きます or Literally "I'm going for seeing a doctor." When he is in front of the doctor he would refer to the Doc as "Sensei", just like people address your favourite doctor as Doctor whatever.
(Apologies for any inaccurate Japanese here. My Native tongue is not Japanese, but the oddity of referring to someone in third person using a honorific is common to us or Japanese.)
Post by: hermes on July 04, 2013, 05:50:11 pm
On Kyoujyu/Hakase.... I'm leaning towards Hakase. My source (Japanese wife) is not sure at all which is more common or suitable, but the impression I get is Kyoujyu would be more a teaching professor in a university and a Hakase a research professor at university or in business. The latter seems more appropriate here, but I am open to change if you have a good argument.
Having a Japanese speaking character on the team might be quite useful to garner some extra information!
Thanks for the submissions, I gave them a once over and they look good. Busy now, so will check them more thoroughly later and get back you.
Post by: The13thRonin on July 07, 2013, 12:21:06 am
Post by: Parsely on July 07, 2013, 01:18:36 am
Post by: LordBucket on July 07, 2013, 04:23:28 pm
Post by: hermes on July 07, 2013, 11:10:10 pm
Post by: Zako on July 11, 2013, 12:12:21 am
Check into the hotel.
Post by: LordBucket on July 11, 2013, 02:04:16 am
Having arrived earlier to sample the cuisine, Alexei enters the lobby from the adjacent lounge area of the Sapporo Aspen hotel. With meticulous dark hair, Alexei is a fairly tall Russian of medium but solid build, wearing a three-piece blue pinstripe suit with bright, shiny shoes and carrying an umbrella in one hand and a bright green martini in the other. After approaching the front desk, he sets his martini down and with a warm smile happily greets the girl behind the desk with what little Japanese he's managed to pick up during his stay so far.
Ariga-shimasu desu kudasai. Konovalov ka? Reservation? Desu?
Check in to hotel
And by the way, the parfait your restaurant serves is fabulous. Desu.
Post by: hector13 on July 11, 2013, 05:54:06 am
Arrives at the hotel in the morning, carrying a rucksack on his back. Glances around the hotel foyer and nods to himself, seemingly happy with the place, then proceeds to the reception desk.
Uh... do you speak English? Good, good. My name is Hodge, I believe there is a room ready for me?
Check in to hotel
Thanks!
Post by: hermes on July 11, 2013, 08:40:16 am
Quote from: Kasumi
Check into the hotel.
Kasumi walks through the empty lobby to the front desk where a single young lady sits with drawn back hair and simple makeup looking plainly and unsmiling at Kasumi. Kasumi doesn't smile either. They both know who each other are and any pretence at formality or friendliness seems unnecessary. There are three big Yakuza families with a presence in the north; the Yamaguchi, the Kawano and the Baba. The invitation had said Yamaguchi, but this hotel could be run by any one of them. Kasumi didn't know which one she was dealing with, but it doesn't really matter.
(Japanese) “I'm Himashi. My room card, please.”
”Here you are. Room 605.” She doesn't even bother to point out the elevator.
Quote from: Alexei
Check in to hotel – with a martini
“Ariga-shimasu desu kudasai. Konovalov ka? Reservation? Desu?”
The reception lady smiles without restraint at Alexei's Japanese. It is awkward like all foreigners, but he doesn't seem awkward. He asks for his card, she hands him two.
“This is your room, number 405. And if you need any help with anything, here is my room key. The elevators are that way, Mr. Konovalov.” And she smiles again. “Welcome to Sapporo.”
“Thanks. And by the way, the parfait your restaurant serves is fabulous. Desu.” She reaches for the martini and takes a sip, and bats her eyelashes.
Quote from: Corban
Check in to hotel
“Uh... do you speak English?”
“Yes, sir. How may I help you”
“Good, good. My name is Hodge, I believe there is a room ready for me?”
“Yes, sir, there is.” She hands him a card and smiles, “Room 413 Mr. Hodge. Enjoy your stay.”
“Thanks!”
The second post has been updated with gameplay advice. I still have to finish everyone's character sheets, having underestimated the amount of work involved :-[. The beginning will hopefully be a gradual introduction to the game. The real first turn will start once Jack checks in, or in about 24 hours. I'm thinking the flow of the game shall be, on my part, a major update followed by shorter updates for smaller actions and dialogue etc. but we'll see what happens! tl;dr First real part is coming soon, character sheets to be finalised shortly.
Post by: USEC_OFFICER on July 11, 2013, 08:53:40 am
Post by: hermes on July 11, 2013, 08:56:25 am
Post by: USEC_OFFICER on July 11, 2013, 09:01:29 am
Post by: LordBucket on July 11, 2013, 09:16:24 pm
Kasumi: room 605
Alexei: room 405
Corban: room 413
Interesting that they put Kasumi two floors above us.
Quote from:
And if you need any help with anything, here is my room key.
She reaches for the martini and takes a sip, and bats her eyelashes.
Damn it, she's a ninja assassin here to seduce and kill me. *sigh* Japan. Ninjas everywhere.
Alexei Konovalov
Alexei smiles at the receptionist, and accepts both room keys. IF the girl is pretty, after she sets the martini glass down, pick it up then rotate it around in front of her and take a sip from where she did for the indirect kiss.
Flirt briefly, then check my room for note with instructions, envelop on the bed etc. Also check the room for ninjas. If nothing is found, return to lounge and watch the lobby for suspicious-looking new arrivals.
Also, Kasumi and Corban: can we get physical descriptions for you?
Post by: Zako on July 11, 2013, 10:36:27 pm
Take the stairs for some exercise and head to my room. Check the corridor and my room for traps or cameras/microphones and then wait patiently inside.
Post by: hector13 on July 12, 2013, 07:18:23 am
Corban Hodge
Smiles back at the receptionist and wishes her a good day.
Have a nice day, ma'am.
Proceeds to use the stairs, it's only four floors, and considers the adventures that wait within the zone. Upon reaching his floor, scans the corridor with his ice blue eyes, and wanders down the hall to his room. Enters his room and plonks a chair at the end of his bed, slides his rucksack onto the floor next to him and settles his medium build into it with a sigh, before turning on the TV to watch some sports with his dark brown, scruffy hair.
Accepts the room card, takes the stairs, scans the corridor to his room. Makes a cursory check of his room for anything suspicious and/or interesting, then settles down in the chair to watch end of season Winter sports, at low volume.
Post by: The13thRonin on July 12, 2013, 08:43:36 am
I'd like they key to my room if yer please love... I've got a bit of business to attend to. Motioning down towards his fly But first I'll be needing to drain the old snake.
Noticing the receptionist recoil in horror from both his surly demeanor and rank breath Jack laughs. Don't worry love, she don't bite!
One of the other younger and unimportant STALKERs at the hotel moves to intervene in the exchange and finds the blade of a machete pointing at his throat. Don't ya know it's rude ta interrupt boy? Getting right up in the STALKERs face the earlier mirth is gone from Jack's features and replaced with a look of pure menace. Yer lucky this time fella... If yer keep sticken yer neck out and trying to be the hero someday someones gonna cut it... Ya'd do well ta remember that lad. Suddenly Jack laughs again and as soon as the storm clouds had descended on him they were gone, seemingly enjoying the mixture of fear, hatred and humiliation on the young STALKER's face he swipes his keys off the desk, lightly and playfully slaps the young STALKER's face with the flat of the machete, winks at the receptionist and walks off toward his room.
Check into the hotel.
Post by: hermes on July 13, 2013, 05:32:02 am
TURN 00 Contined
Quote from: Alexei
IF the girl is pretty, after she sets the Martini glass down, pick it up then rotate it around in front of her and take a sip from where she did for the indirect kiss. Flirt briefly, then check my room for note with instructions, envelop on the bed etc. Also check the room for ninjas. If nothing is found, return to lounge and watch the lobby for suspicious-looking new arrivals.
The receptionist is rather attractive by any standards, so Alexei takes back the Martini and sips from the same side. After making some small talk for a couple of minutes and trying out some more Japanese, much to her apparent delight, Alexei goes up to his room. It's a large room well made up with a queen size bed and it doesn't smell of tobacco. He finds on the desk an envelope which contains $1000 in cash. In the closets he, unfortunately, finds no ninjas. Alexei returns to the lobby and takes a seat in a sofa to watch the comings and goings.
Quote from: Kasumi
Take the stairs for some exercise and head to my room. Check the corridor and my room for traps or cameras/microphones and then wait patiently inside.
Kasumi runs up the stairs to the sixth floor and feels awakened and refreshed once she reaches her room. The corridor is empty and she gets a feeling that there may be no other guests in the hotel. In the room, she checks everything carefully and finds nothing; without some rudimentary equipment it would be impossible to properly check for bugs. Kasumi too finds the envelope of money, she counts it and decides to rest.
Quote from: Corban
Accepts the room card, takes the stairs, scans the corridor to his room. Makes a cursory check of his room for anything suspicious and/or interesting, then settles down in the chair to watch end of season Winter sports, at low volume.
Corban smiles back at the receptionist and wishes her a good day. "Have a nice day, ma'am."
He proceeds to use the stairs, it's only four floors, and considers the adventures that wait within the zone. Upon reaching his floor, scans the corridor with his ice blue eyes, and wanders down the hall to his room. Corban enters his room, glances around and doesn't see any big cameras or microphones so plonks a chair at the end of his bed, slides his rucksack onto the floor next to him and settles his medium build into it with a sigh, before turning on the TV to watch some sports with his dark brown, scruffy hair. He is delighted to find winter tractor pulling on the box.
Quote from: Jack
Check into the hotel - with machete
(Have to change this a little for consistency)
Alexei raises an eyebrow as Jack kicks the doors to the Aspen Hotel open with a heavy military style boot. The reinforced glass is fractured but does not break. He strides confidently in and laying a meaty hand on the table he leans in towards the receptionist. Once at reception, a dozen tall Japanese in tight suits carrying various weapons walk out from the back and stand on either side of Jack looking at him in the most disrespectful manner possible. Half don't have black hair, half are wearing sunglasses, all look like Yakuza enforcers.
"I'd like they key to my room if yer please love... I've got a bit of business to attend to." Motioning down towards his fly, "But first I'll be needing to drain the old snake." The receptionist looks disgusted, and tosses a room key onto the counter,
“Room 613.” And she looks away. Jack laughs,
“Don't worry love, she don't bite!”
One of the gangsters moves to intervene in the exchange and finds the blade of a machete pointing at his throat. “Don't ya know it's rude ta interrupt boy?” Everyone is tense, just for a moment, but before anything can happen Jack laughs again and as soon as the storm clouds had descended on him they were gone. He swipes his keys off the desk, lightly and playfully slaps the young gangster's face with the flat of the machete, winks at the receptionist and walks off toward his room. If ever there was a definition of muscle, this man was it.
Post by: hermes on July 13, 2013, 05:53:24 am
February 20th 2013, 18:07, Chitose International Airport, Japan
Dr. Marcus Jekyll wheels his luggage trolley through customs and out into the arrival lobby, tired and looking for a coffee shop in which to while away the hours before his connecting flight to Beijing. He walks stiffly to the end of the line of people waiting to greet friends and family. This trip is a much needed break from the cloistered life of the hospital and keeping up appearances at home in Ottowa, and he remembers this and feels lighter on his feet for knowing that no-one here knows him, nor he them. He sees a generic sign for a generic looking coffee shop, heads in that direction and begins to consider what to order.
“Dr. Jekyll. Dr. Jekyll!” a voice calls from the throng, a chauffeur suited Japanese man holding an immaculate card with his name printed on it. “Dr. Marcus Jekyll” the doctor reads. He stops and says simply,
“...Yes?”
“Good evening, sir. Your car is waiting. If you would just follow me, please.”
“I think you are mistaken, I ordered no car. I'm sorry...”
“Someone requests your attendance this night. It is concerning a medical matter.” The young man speaks softly and sincerely with an English accent. He is shorter than the doctor, who looks down to his eyes, and then up again. Two larger Japanese men, bigger and unsmiling men whom he would have been surprised if they knew where England was, walk over and stand on the other side of the doctor. They are wearing suits too, but they look too big to fit behind the wheel of any regular chauffeur's vehicle. Any thoughts he had of politely declining the nice young man he is now rethinking.
“It's OK, doctor. We have a proposal for you, a business offer. We want to talk. Please, follow me.”
“I, uh, I'm taking a vacation. You must have the wrong man. Sorry. Good bye.” He tries to wheel his cart onwards past the three men, but a stronger one grabs him by his shirt and jacket from behind as by the ruff of a cub's neck. “Aaahhh! Let me go!” Marcus shouts this time, suddenly and fearfully angry. Everyone in the arrivals hall is looking in their direction now. He feels sure that someone, the police or someone, shall come to put a stop to this. The smaller man moves to his cart and the other large man moves to stand in front of him and mechanically balls a fist and punches the doctor square in the left cheek. He jaw was loose and is dislocated by the hit and a molar is broken and his legs buckle. Blood drools from his mouth. Many people exclaim at the sight but no one moves. The man holding him half drags and pushes him towards the exit as all four leave, the chauffeur pushing the baggage cart. He looks at the two officers at the entrance in turn, each has a pistol holstered and neither says a word.
Outside it is freezing and snowing. Marcus is confused and in pain and suddenly very cold. He stumbles like a puppet to walk but is soon pushed into the backseat of a dark formal car with net curtains over the side windows. He spits blood onto the floor and without thinking takes his jaw in both hands and pulls it smartly back into place. It is agony for a moment and he roars loadly. Doors open an close and the car shifts weight as things enter. It begins to move and Marcus collapses on the back seat in shock and exhaustion not caring where he is being taken.
February 20th 2013, 19:50, Sapporo Aspen Hotel, Sapporo, Japan
The snow falls lightly but is never ending and piles on the ground and in corner drifts to head height. At night the flakes are only clear near streetlights, shop windows and neon signs, yet by the aurora towering above the buildings of the street, clawing at the stars themselves, the celestial green glow from the Japan Zone smothers all the atmosphere, sweating a putrid light into every alley of the city. Roads and sidewalks are covered with white and black ice, packed snow that never thaws in the winter months, pedestrians and vehicles move carefully but surely, following paths through the sludge cut by those that passed before.
The limousine pulls up before the Sapporo Aspen Hotel. The chauffeur and the other suited men exit and pull out the older man. They all walk into the lobby which is expensive, aged and there is just one man sitting in the lounge and nobody on reception. The chauffeur stops. “Mr. Konovalov? Please follow us.” Marcus is led to the elevator and they get off at the second floor. He is taken down a hallway that looks out over the first floor lobby to smart double doors. The chauffeur pulls one open and says, “Mr. Konovalov.” Alexei enters. Looking at the doctor, “Please, after you.” Marcus is pushed at the door. But must take the last couple of steps by himself.
Inside is a large room, obviously a function room, with a single large table in the centre and three men and a woman, obviously of various nationalities, milling around, looking sour and none of them sitting. All of them look at Marcus. He is old, in his fifties, dishevelled, thinned brown hair, unshaven, clothes unkempt and bloodied, wearing sneakers, cheek bruised purple and holding his jaw permanently with one hand.
“Gentlemen, here is the last of your party. A doctor, as required, since our first choice has declined the invitation. Please bring the good doctor up to speed on what's going on” Marcus looks at him blankly. He turns to the gathered and they are looking back at him almost as blankly, though with a detectable taste of incredulity. “Doctor. The man over there, with the short dark hair, he walked with us just now, you see him? That's Mr. Konovalov, the leader. Of your... party. I suggest if you... you ask him about your situation.”
“Next to him is Ms. Himashi,” she is fair looking in appearance with a clear face, somewhat sharp cheekbones, a small nose, normal black hair that's been cut short and tied back in a pony tail and blue eyes. She's slim and wiry, and aside from the occasional dirt smudge here and there, pretty clean too.
“That there is Mr. Hodge,” he has dark brown hair, ice blue eyes, medium build, sharp chin, round cheeks, scarring around the eyes and a squint nose. He is quite tall.
“And that's Mr. Fitzpatrick,” a towering hulk of a man, whom can only be described as having a violently rough life based on his visual appearance alone.
“Yes,” he says louder and to the group, “I recommend you all get on the same page, a unified front would be better for all involved,” turning pointedly to the doctor then back to the group. “Your hosts shall be along presently. Oh, would you like anything to drink in the meantime?”
Konovalov, Hodge, Himashi and Fitzpatrick arrived at various times throughout the day and checked into their rooms: 405, 413, 605 and 613 respectively. They found $1000 in cash for travel expenses in their rooms, where their baggage is now. Were they in their rooms, they were brought lunch and dinner. They (except Alexei) had been waiting in this reception room for 15 minutes before the arrival of Dr. Jekyll, having been told to wait for the meeting to start. On their person they are wearing light clothes and are carrying whatever effects they would deem reasonable for the meeting. They were not checked for weapons at any time during the day.
What do you do?
Post by: LordBucket on July 13, 2013, 07:19:14 am
Quote
would you like anything to drink in the meantime?”
"Yes, please. One of those strawberry parfaits from the restaurant, if it's not too much trouble. The especially decadent one that somehow manages to squeeze three pieces of fruit, a chocolate fudge brownie and a cocktail umbrella all on the same glass. Thank you."
Glance around at the party.
"No, really. It's delicious. I highly recommend it."
Quote
“I recommend you all get on the same page, a unified front would be better for all involved,”
turning pointedly to the doctor then back to the group. “Your hosts shall be along presently.
"Gentlemen...lady, it's a pleasure to meet you all. Doctor, I apologize for the roughness of your delivery. I hadn't realized anyone here today wasn't a willing participant. As I understand it, we're to be offered a job as soldiers of fortune. Mercenaries. Adventurers! Our hosts, who I admit I've yet to meet, seem to have misplaced a certain item that they'd like to have retrieved."
"I'm sure they'll be along shortly to give us all the juicy details, but as I'm also sure you're all aware, Sapporo city lies near the Japanese zone that fills much of the space between Sapporo, here, and Ashikawa to the northeast. I haven't been given much detail about the proposition we're to be offered, but I don't think it's any stretch to guess that the item they've misplaced might be...at the very least, within the border region surrounding the zone. Possibly, within the zone itself."
"But enough about that. I think some introductions are in order. Doctor, we've already met you, though I'd be curious to know about your specialty, as I assume you're not simply a general practitioner. As for myself, my name is Alexei Konovalov. I suppose you could say that I'm a...gentleman adventurer. I'll be our tactician and coordinator, and ultimately my job will be to keep the rest of you alive. And the first step to ensuring that will be to find out as much as possible about all of you and your abilities."
"If you please."
Make introductions
Post by: Zako on July 13, 2013, 08:00:43 am
"Just water for me.
My name is Kasumi, but when on the job, I go by Lynx. I get in hard to reach places, steal things from time to time and break legs."
And with that she was quiet again, watching the others closely. She especially didn't take much to the muscled brute nearby and the talkative man made her skin crawl a bit, but she had worked with worse before and for worse pay too.
Watch the others, and the yakuza, closely and think about the job. What do I know for certain about it and whatever we're supposed to get?
Post by: kahn1234 on July 13, 2013, 12:01:13 pm
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Also, posting to watch. I love the stalker games.
Post by: USEC_OFFICER on July 13, 2013, 01:16:04 pm
"I'm afraid I must protest. I didn't want to be involved in all of this. I was just going on vacation to Beijing. I don't even speak Japanese!" he says with a hysterical tone to his voice.
Post by: Zako on July 13, 2013, 02:25:15 pm
Post by: LordBucket on July 13, 2013, 07:37:55 pm
"I'm afraid I must protest. I didn't want to be involved in all of this. I was just going on vacation to
Beijing. I don't even speak Japanese!" he says with a hysterical tone to his voice.
(Japanese)
Alexei smiles casually and shrugs. "Well, I'm not stopping you from leaving. Feel free. The door's right there. Before you go, though, I'd like to point out that I don't speak Japanese either. But Lynx here does. Want to know what she said? I caught one word of it: Yakuza. This building is owned by a Japanese mafia family. And they might be offended if you decline their hospitality. I don't think you want that."
"As far as I'm concerned you're a free man. Do what you think is best. But like I explained a moment ago, my job for this little sortie will be to keep members of my team alive...and until you're on the team, I can't help you."
Post by: USEC_OFFICER on July 13, 2013, 08:10:08 pm
Marcus slowly buries his head in his hands.
Post by: The13thRonin on July 14, 2013, 01:18:51 am
He laughs heartily when hears Lynx talk about breaking legs but doesn't say anything more.
Finally he speaks turning to Alexei.
You are going to get these people killed... You know that right?
Jack slams his machete down into the table and waits a second for the shock to settle in.
How many of you have ever handled a weapon before?
How many of you have ever killed a man?
You want to be soldiers of fortune but there's not an honest soldier among you.
You might not like what I have to say... Maybe you prefer the soothing comfort of:
He waves over at Alexei.
Mr Strawberry Parfaits over there. But my job is to keep people alive, not to soothe their egos, so those of you that want to live pay attention... Mr Alexei is proposing we go into the Japanese Zone, one of the most dangerous parts of the world... A place so dangerous that the Yakuza, some of the most dangerous gangsters in the world are hiring people to go in there... with a doctor who looks like he'd run at the first sign of trouble, if he can even run anymore without needing a hip replacement. He waves over at Kasumi. A thief who is probably coming along solely to loot your bullet-ridden corpses after our unfortunate demise and a leader who drinks Strawberry Parfaits and doesn't bother to even find out what we're meant to be looking for. These are the people who will be watching your back, who you will be entrusting your lives to.
You all need months worth of training but I'm guessing we probably don't have time for that what with the Yakuza all excited and the such. At the very least I can teach you how to hold a gun right and which way to point it so you don't end up blowing your own head off.
Calls into question Alexei's leadership ability.
Challenges the group to take this expedition seriously and to seriously evaluate their companions... The weak link breaks the chain.
Suggests training to the group.
Post by: Zako on July 14, 2013, 02:55:25 am
Kasumi promptly goes over to a chair and sits down.
"And you can stop posturing, by the way. It's pointless to do so here and in the future too. We're all equally inexperienced when it comes to the zone, you included."
Post by: LordBucket on July 14, 2013, 03:14:35 am
Mr Strawberry Parfaits over there. But my job is to keep people alive, not to soothe their egos, so those of you that want to live pay attention... Mr Alexei is proposing we go into the Japanese Zone, one of the most dangerous parts of the world... A place so dangerous that the Yakuza, some of the most dangerous gangsters in the world are hiring people to go in there... with a doctor who looks like he'd run at the first sign of trouble, if he can even run anymore without needing a hip replacement. He waves over at Kasumi. A thief who is probably coming along solely to loot your bullet-ridden corpses after our unfortunate demise and a leader who drinks Strawberry Parfaits and doesn't bother to even find out what we're meant to be looking for. These are the people who will be watching your back, who you will be entrusting your lives to.
"Mr. Fitzpatrick, I think you've seriously misjudged the situation. First off, I'm not proposing that we go rushing off into the Zone. I'm proposing that we listen to the offer we're about to be made. I think that's pretty reasonable. You don't know the exact nature or target of this mission either. None of us do. That's why we're here. Second, the Zone is not a simple combat patrol. Is it dangerous? Yes. But the nature of that danger is not simply men trying to kill you. If we could go in and simply shoot people and walk back out, as you point out our hosts have more than enough manpower to handle that. This operation clearly requires finesse. Something that you appear to be sorely lacking. But I'll do my best to accommodate your dead weight."
Quote
Calls into question Alexei's leadership ability.
"Mr. Fitzpatrick, I'm in charge of this operation. If you don't like that, then you, like the Doctor, are free to leave. The door's right there."
Alexei sips his delicious strawberry parfait.
"Now, if you're done having your little temper tantrum, why don't you and Mr. Hodge introduce yourselves properly and let us know what you bring to the table besides hotheadedness."
Post by: The13thRonin on July 14, 2013, 03:45:39 am
Knowing a place of death is irrelevant. If you do not know how to kill and more importantly how to avoid being killed then you will have plenty of time to become better acquainted with the pretty scenery as you bleed out on the ground.
You are still young and that makes you stupid. But death will find you whether you're ready for it or not... So if I were you I would smarten up quickly.
Jack pulls his machete out of the table and reaching into his pocket starts sharpening the blade with a whetstone and turns to address Alexei.
When this comes down to a firefight... Which it will... You will learn that there is no finesse in death... There's no such thing as a clean kill. Whether you survive the lesson is another matter entirely. But let me make one thing abundantly clear. You will not make it five feet inside that Zone without me there. I'm sure even you have heard the stories about what goes on in the Zones. And today is your lucky day because it so happens that I want to get into the Zone... Because if I didn't I'd leave you to your fate.
Leans in real close to Alexei.
Also I don't think you want a demonstration of what I bring to the table Mr Konovalov... At least not yet... Because I'm sure it'd be a terrible inconvenience to you to have to drink the rest of that Strawberry Parfait through a straw.
Jack laughs but his eyes are filled with menace.
Now I suggest that you all consider my offer of training again... Which still stands...
Brings up his offer to train the group in firearms and close quarters combat again.
Post by: Zako on July 14, 2013, 05:07:13 am
"If it will get you to stop posturing and making veiled threats to everyone, fine. I'll take your lessons later. But I strongly suggest you keep your hands to yourself, if you know what I mean, and start acting more civil to your future teammates. It would make things easier for everyone, I would think."
Post by: The13thRonin on July 14, 2013, 06:06:32 am
Don't worry about the Yakuza. We'd all be dead if they weren't after something from us. Do you think they just let anyone walk into a Yakuza den?
I'm sure they won't try to brutally murder us until AFTER they get what they want.
As for being civil? I take offense madam... I'll have you know that I've been on my best behavior since arriving here... I haven't gutted a single person... Not a single one... Scouts honor!
Post by: hermes on July 14, 2013, 08:20:06 am
Corban Hodge
"Aye, I'm Corban. Pleased to meet the lot of you, though Jack lad you might want to take it easy, the lady here speaks some sense. These guys aren't playing and neither are we. This isn't bootcamp right, GI Joe? I'm not sure about carrying more guns. I've lived in these parts for a few years now, and heard stories that them Institute guards shoot at the least excuse. You can bet yer bottom dollar wavin' a gun around is one of those excuses. They're a nervous lot and rightly so."
To Alexei, "I'm a driver, boss. Good with fixing motors. I can drive a bit too. Waiter, I'll have a Scotch. Is the doc really alright with this? He don't look too good."
To Kasumi in Japanese, "Nice to meet you, lass. Our chances for surviving are looking good, no?"
Post by: Zako on July 14, 2013, 09:39:52 am
(Japanese)"Better now that you've proven that you have some sense in you, unlike others."
She looked at Jack and scoffed before turning back to Corban.
(Japanese)"Honestly, what does this idiot think he is? A one man army or, what was it called? Rambo or something? I've seen plenty of tough and mean guys, some tougher and meaner than him even, cry like children when they are lying in the street with a gut wound or with broken legs. He'll have to learn to have respect for others, before he bites off more than he can chew. Especially around here and where we are going."
Post by: The13thRonin on July 14, 2013, 10:08:04 am
Also is anybody not going to get aboard the 'we hate Jack' train? We can't all play smooth-talking, polite and squared away characters!
Post by: Zako on July 14, 2013, 12:38:05 pm
It's early yet, so you can't expect everyone to like everyone else immediately. Not when they haven't even been through anything dangerous yet.))
Post by: USEC_OFFICER on July 14, 2013, 03:31:11 pm
Marcus sighs, his eyes a bit puffy and red as he raises his head to look at everyone.
"Since apparently I am cooperating I would like a full medical history from everyone. Operations, allergies, any medications you're taking. That sort of thing. If you were to have an acute reaction while we were so far from proper medical facilities..."
Post by: The13thRonin on July 14, 2013, 03:46:53 pm
Just thought you should know.
Jack flashes the doctor a toothy grin.
Post by: USEC_OFFICER on July 14, 2013, 04:01:21 pm
Post by: LordBucket on July 14, 2013, 04:18:01 pm
I'm allergic to bullets doc...
Just thought you should know.
Jack flashes the doctor a toothy grin.
I see. So I'm the only one you have a problem with. Unfortunately, OOC. You've unknowingly done something extremely stupid.
Post by: hermes on July 14, 2013, 11:45:35 pm
- Everyone is sticking to their characters and playing them well, Jack is by his nature a violent guy with a chip on his shoulder so it doesn't seem unreasonable to have done or said most of what he has so far, nor should any animosity as a result be a surprise. The colour he brings is most welcome.
- But, Jack please bear in mind you are on a team and this team will keep you alive just as they entrust you to keep them alive. Please try to gain some trust from them, as NPCs are already plotting against you and you don't need the PCs taking action themselves.
- Alexei is the leader. He has tacit support from the Yakuza and is about to be given, as you all are, a proposition that is very important to them. I think any character would be out of his mind to disrespect Alexei or a gangster of importance.
- Imagine this is like the star trek movie, Kirk and Spock bust each others balls but if they can get past it then they make a stronger team at the other end because of it.
Post by: DaveTheGrave on July 14, 2013, 11:48:50 pm
Post by: hermes on July 14, 2013, 11:58:34 pm
Post by: DaveTheGrave on July 15, 2013, 12:03:37 am
Post by: hermes on July 15, 2013, 08:09:17 am
From a side door in walk several unsmiling gangsters, some of the same that Alexei and Jack saw earlier and still carrying weapons though perhaps with a greater quantity of firearms this time, followed by a shorter, balder, bespectacled man who looks like a salaryman who's just finished work. He pats his shiny, sweaty brow with a handkerchief constantly. The toughs stand a little away from the table, while one of them and the business man walk to the head of the table, the gangster sits down but the businessman suddenly finds no appropriate chair so stands to one side. The man who sat down, you now notice, is different from the others. He carries a legal pad and pulls a pen from his jacket pocket and puts them on the table, he too wears glasses which he takes off to look at everyone. He looks decidedly more intelligent than any that just entered, including the business man, is clean shaven with short-clipped black hair, an inch long horizontal scar below his left eye and speaks with a slight American accent,
“Evening gentlemen, and lady. Please sit down.” He looks at each member in turn.
What do you do?
Post by: Zako on July 15, 2013, 09:10:42 am
Post by: USEC_OFFICER on July 15, 2013, 09:31:59 am
Post by: LordBucket on July 16, 2013, 02:44:44 am
Quote
one of them and the business man walk to the head of the table, the gangster sits
down but the businessman suddenly finds no appropriate chair so stands to one side.
Hmm. I know this game. But only one of them sat down?
In that case...assuming the table is narrow enough that there is only one seat at each end, then both to the immediate left and right of the person who sat down at the head of the table there will be a corner chair that is perpendicular to him.
Of those two chairs, take the one that is furthest from the door
Post by: hermes on July 19, 2013, 08:53:57 am
TURN 02 Continued...
Corban sits down easily, and eyes Jack who remains standing, seemingly oblivious to the danger he's in. The American speaker doesn't have to say or gesture a word, the gangsters know that his request should have been followed. About six or seven of them walk up to Jack, quite quickly, and everyone else around the table braces for what their eyes would forecast to be a typhoon. A rather violent battle breaks out, and Kasumi had to leap out of her chair on at least two occasions to avoid being swept up. Jack is, after several minutes of the party and host watching in silence, and after three more gangsters joined in, removed from the room leaving a trail of blood. His machete is buried in a wall on the far side of the room. Everyone watches as the door closes politely, and then they look at each other. The American speaker resumes,
“Ahh. Sorry about that. Do not worry, your acquaintance Mr. Fitzpatrick will awake sometime tomorrow, somewhere in the city, with considerably less memory of this day than we would like to retain of him. Did you see what he did to the front door?” The businessman standing behind, handkerchief still covering his mouth, nods unconsciously whilst staring at nowhere.
“Anyway, let's begin, right? Some would wish to thank you for making the trip to this meeting," at which point the doors click open and the chauffeur walks in quickly, and another foreigner, a medium built lad with white skin and medium length black hair waits in the open doorway. The chauffeur and the lawyer whisper a bit, then they beckon the young man to sit down. He walks over and sits at the table with the other Stalkers. The chauffeur leaves silently.
"How lucky we are today!" the lawyer exclaims, looking oddly happy. "Well, perhaps. Let us not waste that luck. This is Mr. Tyler Stye who shall also be joining you. My colleague has been keeping an eye on flights all day, and Mr. Stye here is a known scout. You are just in time, Mr. Stye, we were just coming to the meat of the business. Where were we? Thanks. Some people would like to thank you all and they acknowledge your politeness and trust in doing so with no assurances. And Dr. Jekyll, they would apologise for the manner of your arrival, and hope that you shall remain for the full duration of the tour.” He sits up straighter now, and looks everyone in the eye when talking.
“The aforementioned party would task your group to enter the Japan Zone with the aim of recovering an Artefact from a town not more than ten kilometers from the border. Should you accept, you will be provided with money to procure supplies, transportation to the Door leaving from this hotel at six am tomorrow morning, guaranteed passage for entrance and exit at that Door, and upon that party's receipt of the Artefact a payment of $10,000 each.
“The Artefact required is known about, indeed was previously recovered from the Zone but has found its way back there again. It is located in the town of Yuubari, here.”
He unhurriedly draws a sketch map on the legal pad, puts down his pen and rotates the map for everyone to see.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-z2ro8p_ylQk/Uek7ty5td0I/AAAAAAAAECk/p6MQOS74k14/s800/LawyersMap.png)
“As you can see, Yuubari is a little way from Sapporo. The transportation, by van, will take approximately one hour. The Door is at Shimizusawa, here, which is where the van will stop. There is an Institute checkpoint there, one hundred meters from the Zone perimeter, but you shall have permission to pass, to enter and exit.
“As for once in Yuubari, it is believed the Artefact is located within the city hall, according to this map here.”
He pulls a photocopied map from his breast pocket, unfolds it and lays it out.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NTgL2qs7-xE/Uek9ziMiDTI/AAAAAAAAEDg/LQ3FaP6rTDg/s800/YuubariMapRed.png)
Spoiler: Map with translations for Kasumi and Corban (click to show/hide)
The salaryman leans forward to see it, and exclaims,
“Aa! Kore wa! Doko de mitsuketta ka?”
The lawyer says suddenly loudly, ”Damare, Yamada san.” The salaryman shrinks back, but says quietly,
”Ano, watashi no namae wo tsukawanaide kudasai.” The lawyer turns to him and half stands up out of the seat. Even half out he is already taller than the business man, who takes a step back and lowers his head.
Spoiler: Translation for Kasumi and Corban (click to show/hide)
“This is a post-Visitation map of the town,” he resumes calmly. You think he is well practised in admonishing people. “It is said to have been drawn approximately one year ago. Expert opinion has it that though the map is not great it does provide enough landmarks to navigate to the city hall. From Shimizusawa the road north leads you to the road at the bottom of this map, near the station, here. See? Said opinion reckons it should take just one day to the town, and one day back. You should know, however, that a year in the Japan Zone is a long time, so even this map may contain errors.”
He leans back, “There you have it. Well, the bare bones of it at least. A relatively simple retrieval mission, lasting not more than one, perhaps two, nights. Guaranteed entrance and exit and payment on receipt. I shall let you discuss this amongst yourselves, for you must all agree to this. If you have any questions, please ask.”
What do you do?
NOTES
- Door is Stalker slang for the entrance/exit to and from the Zone. It may be a sewer, a broken fence or an unguarded mountain pass, for example.
- The market value of Artefacts, as advised in the Stalker manual, is ridiculously low. The cheapest artefact, for example a Pin, which is supposedly quite common, a thin cone that emits light when squeezed, sells for 100-1000 Euros. The most desired by researchers might sell for 10,000 Euros or more. This in a country where, even during the IRL economic recession, company management still squanders thousands of dollars on parties and golf. Not to mention that the cost of a basic vacation abroad would cost more than a So-so (an artefact with an inexhaustible electric charge at both ends) seems a little strange. One night at karaoke can cost more than a miraculous object of scientific wonder. So I have inflated the prices of artefacts, the base offer of the mission, and some shop prices for weapons and equipment. Mainly just so travel and other living expenses make sense.
Post by: DaveTheGrave on July 19, 2013, 09:03:45 am
"Is there any more info you can squander about the area?"
Post by: Zako on July 19, 2013, 09:12:21 am
"How do we get in contact with you if something doesn't go according to plan?"
Post by: hermes on July 19, 2013, 09:27:18 am
"Is there any more info you can squander about the area?"
Lawyer: Ms. Himashi is correct. Knowledge of any area in the Japan zone is transient, Mr. Stye. In general, I mean pre-Visitation wise, the Yuubari city district was a run down ex-coal mining town. The river, I believe marked on the map here, cuts a valley with wooded sides. Now, there are Shifts. Perhaps you do not know of them? Moving pockets of time and space... distortions. Unique perhaps to the Japan Zone. They constantly reshape the land and craft their own maps anew. This particular area is far from the Reiriku, the Ghost Land, though. So the conditions are not nearly as unfavorable as they might seem or could be. It will be cold, very cold, that you can guarantee.
"How do we get in contact with you if something doesn't go according to plan?"
Lawyer: Hmm. Once in the Zone, you will be on your own. The only way to contact... myself will be through the guards at the Shimizusawa checkpoint. They will know you, your party's number, your names and your faces. When they see you, I shall be informed. I personally have no experience of the Zones and do not wish to. To contact me whilst in the Zone would be pointless, and from what I've heard close to impossible anyhow.
Post by: Zako on July 19, 2013, 09:33:49 am
I'm curious about how this job even came to be in the first place though... How did this artefact return into the zone? Was it stolen by a group or something? Anyone in particular that we need to watch out for, given that we are on your employee list?"
Post by: hermes on July 19, 2013, 07:12:49 pm
Lawyer: An important question. Mr. Yamada's company had previously contracted a man to retrieve Artefacts from certain places in the Japan Zone. Which he did. Then, for reasons unknown to Mr. Yamada's employers, this man - probably the same man, for they cannot be sure - proceeded to steal them back and replace them. Place them back in the Zone. He is the source of this map. He has since disappeared. Some believe he is now, as impossible as it sounds, living in the zone. He is not, however considered dangerous.
The businessman seems satisfied with the answer and looks easier at the group.
Post by: LordBucket on July 19, 2013, 10:12:33 pm
Quote
Jack who remains standing, seemingly oblivious to the danger he's in. The American speaker doesn't
have to say or gesture a word, the gangsters know that his request should have been followed.
Personally I'd have interpreted it to mean that he was announcing to the world that he was just a grunt and not a decision maker. The low ranking yakuza didn't sit either.
Quote
The Artefact required is known about, indeed was previously recovered
"Could we get a description of the artefact? I'd like to know what we're looking for so we can stop looking when we find it."
Quote
contracted a man to retrieve Artefacts from certain places in the Japan Zone
"He did this solo? Or as part of a team?"
If he was contracted to solo the zone...presumably he well established as a very experienced stalker already familiar with this part of the zone. Which to me seems somewhat contrary to "not considered dangerous." Not dangerous by disposition, maybe. But not by capability.
Quote
this man - probably the same man, for they cannot be sure
"Could we get a name and picture?"
We'd better hope it's the same man. If somebody else stole it, it seems unlikely the somebody else they can't even be sure who it is would be able to return it to where it was originally found a year prior. And if it was somebody else who wasn't even there returning it to its "rightful place"...that implies some seriously Twilight Zone mind manipulation/control going on.
Share these concerns
If we have an experienced stalker familiar with the zone and living in it...returning artefacts to their original locations...I'm not going to just hope that he won't mind if we come in and take it. Or even, for that matter..that he's still entirely human.
Quote
steal them back and replace them
"'Them' plural? So this single man who is not considered dangerous has been stealing multiple artefacts from what I can only assume was a secure facility, fully a year after he acquired them for you in the first place. How exactly did he manage this? Is it only those he acquired for you that have been stolen or are there others he might still come back for? And what is it about this particular artefact that you're especially interested in having it alone returned to you?"
"What reason you do have to believe that he's returning them to where they were found? I can understand that he might have been seen by the border guard going back in...but if he's an experienced stalker familiar with this zone, if he simply wanted to steal them it would be an obvious thing for him to go back in to eliminate his trail then simply exit elsewhere."
Post by: hermes on July 20, 2013, 07:56:04 am
Quote
"Could we get a description of the artefact? I'd like to know what we're looking for so we can stop looking when we find it."
Lawyer: Yes, of course, this is information you will most certainly need! The Artefact, called the Yuubari Artefact, looks like a black-green lump of coal. It is about fist sized [he bunches up a large fist with his right hand and gestures] and is as dense as coal is. It emits nothing and is quite non-lethal, so you need not have any reservations about retrieving it.
Quote
"He did this solo? Or as part of a team?"
The salaryman moves to the lawyer who senses the approach and raises a hand in dismissal. He then raises both hands apologetically.
Lawyer: We cannot say. We cannot, unfortunately, provide you information about past missions. You need not worry, though. He is, by nature, not a killer.
Quote
"Could we get a name and picture?"
Lawyer: Again, I'm sorry. Such information is sensitive, and frankly speaking none of your concern. You have our assurance that if, however unlikely, you were to encounter this man, the, um, five of you would have no problem.
Quote
"'Them' plural? So this single man who is not considered dangerous has been stealing multiple artefacts from what I can only assume was a secure facility, fully a year after he acquired them for you in the first place. How exactly did he manage this? Is it only those he acquired for you that have been stolen or are there others he might still come back for? And what is it about this particular artefact that you're especially interested in having it alone returned to you?"
The lawyer sighs slowly.
Lawyer: OK. Let me tell you this. The man in question has, researchers believe, become... affected by the Zone in some manner, or come into posession of some..thing or other that has given him... how can I say? Certain advantages? We're not sure what, but it meant that a man in his position, with the knowledge he had, was able to steal a number of items... easily. This particular Artefact was the subject of extensive xenological research, at huge expense to Mr. Yamada's company. They would like to finish that research to recoup their investment. This much is known on the streets of Sapporo.
Quote
"What reason you do have to believe that he's returning them to where they were found? I can understand that he might have been seen by the border guard going back in...but if he's an experienced stalker familiar with this zone, if he simply wanted to steal them it would be an obvious thing for him to go back in to eliminate his trail then simply exit elsewhere."
Lawyer: We know he's returning the Artefacts, to exactly where he found them, because A he told everyone that was what he was going to do and B some of the Artefacts have already been re-recovered and they were indeed where his maps originally located them. He doesn't seem bothered that we might know where the Artefacts are. It seems, some have speculated, to be a game for him. Make of that what you will. Personally, I don't think games can be played in the Zone. If anyone is playing, it's the Zone itself.
Post by: USEC_OFFICER on July 20, 2013, 11:40:30 am
"Er, excuse me for a moment, but how will we know that we have the artifact and not a similar looking rock?"
Post by: Zako on July 20, 2013, 02:06:31 pm
Post by: hermes on July 20, 2013, 11:59:10 pm
Marcus coughs politely and looks embarassed.
"Er, excuse me for a moment, but how will we know that we have the artifact and not a similar looking rock?"
When Marcus talks, moves his mouth, he feels a sharp pain from the raw nerve of his broken tooth. He suspects that eating or drinking could be agony.
Lawyer: It is quite unique. And probably in a place of prominence within the city hall. Just like digging around inside a patient for a cancer I would assume, doctor. You'll know it when you see it.
"And for that matter, we are going to need equipment for travelling in the zone even somewhat safely. Where can we get what we need?" Kasumi interrupts.
Lawyer: Yes! Well, if this pleasant talk is coming to a close, perhaps we can take it that you accept the mission? In which case...
He gestures to a man at the door who leaves the room and returns just a moment later with the chauffeur, who brings in his arms several thick envelopes that he places on the table in front of each of you. Inside each you find $1000 in various denomination bills.
Lawyer: Here is the money promised to cover the purchase of necessary equipment. Along with the money from your travel expenses and any that which you brought with you, you should have no trouble finding supplies in the night markets. The time is still early and the van to the Door leaves before sunrise, so would you like to be off? The quicker we conclude business here, the more you may rest up before entering the Zone. What do you say?
Post by: LordBucket on July 21, 2013, 03:01:09 am
You'll know it when you see it.
"What does it do?"
Not really expecting an answer. This question has been asked twice now, less directly, and been answered with evasions both times. Obviously there's a lot they're not telling us, but I'm starting to get the impression that asking more questions won't generate more answers.
If nobody else has anything else they'd like to ask, I'm ok with moving along.
Unrelated, could we get a currency clarification? Personally, I submitted my character assuming euos, this is Japan so I've been thinking in yen, but the actual bills we're seeing in-game are apparently USD. Is this something we're handwaving?
Post by: hermes on July 21, 2013, 06:15:45 am
"What does it do?"
The lawyer shrugs his shoulders and makes a plaintive look.
Lawyer: The researchers don't exactly know, and I know even less. What's pertinent is the Artefact is not dangerous and it does something that someone will pay for. Pay you a lot for. Perhaps you could run experiments in the field?
He smiles. The salaryman interjects, "Ano..." And the lawyer adds with a sigh, "Ah, please do not conduct experiments in the field with the required Artefact. Or with any other Artefacts. The retrieval of this one Artefact supercedes all other concerns."
Quote
Unrelated, could we get a currency clarification? Personally, I submitted my character assuming euos, this is Japan so I've been thinking in yen, but the actual bills we're seeing in-game are apparently USD. Is this something we're handwaving?
Good point. Sorry I didn't explain earlier. The Stalker book, for ease of use/clarity I presume, gives prices/values of everything in Euros. Japan obviously uses Yen. In the alternate Stalker reality, Japan still uses Yen, and is still essentially an American political/military colony. Mainland Japan and the economy at large continues to use Yen which is soft-linked to the dollar. Hokkaido being what is has become, a large international grey/black market zone, accepts both Yen and Dollars freely in most places. You are being paid in dollars because it is the international currency, favourable in shady dealings since it is not the national/taxable currency here, and it is accepted in local shops.
Euros is a stretch, so any currency characters have brought with them in Euros will hereby, if the players have no objections, be converted to dollars.
Magical one-time-handwaving exchange rate is... 100 Yen = 1 Dollar = 0.75 Euros.
Post by: Zako on July 21, 2013, 02:39:43 pm
Post by: USEC_OFFICER on July 21, 2013, 03:04:38 pm
Post by: DaveTheGrave on July 21, 2013, 03:05:58 pm
"And if we run into any hostile stalkers? What are we to do for protection?"
Post by: Zako on July 21, 2013, 11:20:49 pm
Post by: LordBucket on July 21, 2013, 11:26:13 pm
"And if we run into any hostile stalkers? What are we to do for protection?"
Alexei shrugs.
"We kill them."
"Shoot them would be my guess.
"Yes. If guns are available I suggest we bring them. But I'd like to remind everyone that physics doesn't always work like we're used to inside the zones. Ideally we'll encounter no resistance, but if we do I advise everyone to avoid situations in which you absolutely need your firearm to work."
Move on to the next thing
Post by: hector13 on July 22, 2013, 10:34:48 am
"Yes. If guns are available I suggest we bring them. But I'd like to remind everyone that physics doesn't always work like we're used to inside the zones. Ideally we'll encounter no resistance, but if we do I advise everyone to avoid situations in which you absolutely need your firearm to work."
Smiles slightly and replies.
Sounds good to me, I used to box when I was wee. I might be a bit out of practice, but hey, I wasn't exactly the cleanest of fighters.
Move on to the next bit
Post by: hermes on July 25, 2013, 01:17:35 am
The lawyer stands and smiles again. He seems to have gotten significantly happier as the meeting has progressed.
“Alright then. I suggest you make your preparations and get some rest. Just be outside the hotel front entrance at six o'clock tomorrow morning. Mr. Hodge, you shall be driving, so try not to be too hung over.
“Ah, I almost forgot.” He pulls out another piece of folded paper from his jacket pocket and unfolds it onto the table for everyone to see. “Here is a map of the city in English. And before you leave Mr. Konovalov, could we have a word? Just over here.” Mr. Yamada watches Alexei and pats his sweaty brow more firmly.
After a brief, one sided talk, the two men shake hands and Alexei walks back to the table. The gangsters leave through a side door, and the lawyer and businessman leave through the main double doors. The lawyer says on his way out, "Good luck! You know there is such a thing as luck in this post-Visitation world." and Mr. Yamada bows profusely backing out the door and around the corner with his eyes rooted to his feet.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JaMRxV490O4/UfCUxSQlpxI/AAAAAAAAEEA/v65YD65_mzg/s800/SapporoStreetMap.JPG)
The quality is pretty poor here, apologies, if I have time I'll upload a better picture. The hotel is just north of the station. Everyone has a copy of the map. Here's a list of the shops on the map:
- Cleany Landory
- Bushido Batou
- Kusanagi's Drug Store
- Boma's Electronics
- Ishikawa Pachinko Parlor
- Aramaki's Go Salon
- Togusa Outdoor Supplies
- Saitou's Gun Club
- Pazu's Nightclub
The Shopping Trip
From now until 06:00 you are free to wander Sapporo and/or rest up at the hotel and/or do whatever else takes your fancy. If you leave the hotel, please state as you leave what you're wearing, taking and how much money you have on you. Everything that you gave your characters in creation, if not on their person, is in their hotel room.
The weather outside is around freezing and snowing lightly.
The Zone is cold and is home to few edible stuffs and many environmental hazards and potentially dangerous Inorganisms. You will need stuff to stay warm, protect against/treat other dangers (chemicals, radiation etc.), trigger hazards with (may respond to metals, non-metals, organics etc.), feed/water yourselves, and possibly attack/defend. As a rough guide to prices, a backpack would cost $100-$300, a pistol $500 and a specially designed Zone suit $26,000. When you go to shops, you can get lists of available gear, barter and possibly ingratiate yourselves with owners to get access to more stuff.
If there is somewhere you'd like to go that is not on the map, you can try to find it.
Post by: Parsely on July 25, 2013, 02:28:23 am
Post by: hermes on July 25, 2013, 02:39:27 am
((That's.. Actually a really good map. I'm just a watcher, but that looks really useful and informative to me.))
((Thanks :) My GIMP skills are pretty dire, handdrawn just feels better. Shame it's not easily readable. :( Know any good free software for making game maps??))
Post by: Parsely on July 25, 2013, 03:11:06 am
((Not really, since I think MapTools are only good for silly looking grids. And I feel your pain when it comes to GIMP.))((That's.. Actually a really good map. I'm just a watcher, but that looks really useful and informative to me.))
((Thanks :) My GIMP skills are pretty dire, handdrawn just feels better. Shame it's not easily readable. :( Know any good free software for making game maps??))
Post by: LordBucket on July 25, 2013, 03:38:54 am
Marcus, I'm concerned about you. You're in your 50s, I don't get the impression you're the super athletic type, and you just got beat up. We're going to spend the next two days walking.
So, I propose we find a toy store and get a couple of scooters (http://www.yoyo.com/p/razor-a2-scooter-clear-96991) for anyone not in top condition.
That should generally make the travel easier. Though note that we don't necessarily want to go fast, because zone anomalies aren't always visible, and it would be unfortunate to zoom right into an invisible meatgrinder. To solve that problem, I propose we get some cheap broomsticks that we can wave in front of us as we go. If the tip of your broomstick gets sheered off, or bursts into flames, or vanishes...immediately stop walking and call "hold" to the party, and we'll go around it. Or, since I notice the "Bushido Batou" on the shop list, another obvious option would be to get some simple karate belts, and a couple bokken (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bokken). They're light, they're cheap...they're a bit shorter than broomsicks, but they're sturdy enough to be used as weapons, and it would be completely trivial to carry one in each hand with an extra 1-2 in your belt for carrying, and if/when any are lost due to being shredded by anomalies, we simply dump it and replace it from one on the belt.
Next, I don't know how everyone is on cash, but I do have some. If anybody's a couple hundred dollars short and wants to get a gun or some crucial piece of equipment, let me know and I'll advance you funds and you can reimburse me from the payment we get after the mission. Related, despite Jack and I not getting along, I do think his advice about firearms practice is sound. So I propose we all get guns, bring extra ammo, and as soon as we're in the zone take 20 minutes for target practice. Remember to buy an extra clip or two and pre-fill them with bullets so you can quickly reload.
In terms of physical protection, I don't think we really need ballistic armor, and I seriously doubt anybody's going to be spending $26,000 on environmental suits. But thermal underwear, ski mask a gloves is probably a good idea. Gas masks if we can get them. They're surprisingly cheap, but the filters don't last very long. I highly recommend full body coverage with no exposed flesh. We don't need to be sexy here.
Duck tape. Because duck tape. It can be used to seal clothing and wounds, can be turned into rope or shelter, can be used to tie up hostages, and all sorts of great things. Also, if we can find them, I'd like everyone to have 2 or 3 mylar space blankets (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_blanket). They're super cheap, small, and can effectively protect from temperature ranges as low as -260 up to 480 degrees celsius, as well as protect from UV radiation, and block infrared detection technology. Geiger counter in case of radiation.
Finally, I recommend that everyone travel light. We have a lot of walking to do. This is anticipated to be a two day trip. If it absolutely comes down to it...two days is not a long time to go without food or sleep. If everybody brings a couple packs of beef jerky, a box of granola bars and a couple bottles of water (and/or delicious Japanese vending machine energy drinks) that's probably all we really need. Extra in case things go badly is fine, but let's travel light and avoid heavy things like camping stoves, cooking/eating utensils, ice chests, etc.
Suggested items:
* Arctic sleeping bag
* Scooter
* Belt + Broomstick/bokken
* Gun
* Ammo
* Couple bottles of water
* Beef jerky/granola bars/etc
* Face/gask mask, gloves, fullbody coverage clothes
* Geiger counter
* Roll of duck tape
* 2-3 space blankets
Assume a backpack, fannypack, belt and gun holster, scooter only for people who plan to use them, and everyone should be able to carry the above without being significantly encumbered.
Marcus: you're the doctor. I don't think we all need to bring medical gear, but I expect that you will. As far as I'm concerned, for a quick trip like this, a bottle of rubbing alcohol and duct tape is probably all we really need. There's no need for complicated surgeries when we can disinfect and tape ourselves up and be in a hospital the following day. But that's your job, and I'll let you take care of it if you have any input.
Post by: Parsely on July 25, 2013, 03:48:06 am
Post by: LordBucket on July 25, 2013, 04:33:29 am
You're ridiculous Bucket. Utterly ridiculous. I can just imagine your party,
rolling around on Razor scooters, waving broomsticks in front of you.
Boring but Practical (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BoringButPractical)
I'm sure whomever's on point would rather lose a broomstick than his face to a meatgrinder anamoly, but I don't imagine all of us on scooters like you describe. Scooters require two hands. As I said, those are mostly for people who might have difficulty walking at a brisk pace for two days straight. Especially if we can get one with a motor, and if it works in the zone...that could be a life saver.
Post by: Parsely on July 25, 2013, 05:01:38 am
Scooters could be useful, but you have to consider that they'll only work well on even ground, and that even if you get a chance to use it, when you're not using it you'll need to carry it. Just be careful about what you really need to bring.
Post by: LordBucket on July 25, 2013, 05:52:55 am
You're better off just using bolts or other tiny pieces of metal when you suspect an anomaly is near.
1) As an inexperienced stalker, would you bet your life on your ability to correctly predict when an anomaly is near? I wouldn't.
2) No tactile feedback on a thrown item
3) Less information from a thrown item. For example, let's say you've confirmed an anomaly, but you don't know what it does. If you stick your broom stick in, pull it out and tip of the broomstick is warm or cold to the touch, or is an inch shorter, or trips your geiger counter that's useful information. How do you do that with a bolt that you threw on the ground and is now 5-10 feet away from you?
4) Slow and limited field of coverage on a thrown item. If you suspect there's an anomaly-edge somewhere within a 20 by 20 foot area, a stick can easily be moved around while you walk. That seems much simpler to me that throwing a bolt every couple feet.
5) The stick method does allow for constant "minesweeping" as you call it for the entire length of the trip, and I see no reason to not do it. Whereas I'm not sure it would be practical or convenient to bring enough bolts to throw them into your path every step of the way for a two day trip, and/or stop to pick them up every time you throw.
6) The stick method is vastly superior in conditions of poor lighting. If you can't see the bolt, it doesn't do you much good. You can feel the stick even if you're blind.
7) Remember that anomaly edges are not necessarily flat planes at 90 degrees to the ground. What if the anomaly begins 5 feet above the ground? So you throw your bolt at arm height, nothing happens to it so you walk right in and lose your head. A stick can easily be moved around wherever you want it.
We could conceivably address some of the above using bolts instead of sticks by tying a bolt to the end of string and swinging it. And if people would prefer to do that instead of use sticks, I'm ok with that, though I think a stick would be much less tiring than swinging figure 8s with a string for hours at a time. If metal is required, we could easily wrap a stick in aluminum foil and get the best of both worlds.
But I get the impression that your objection is motivated by aesthetics, not practicality. You'd feel silly doing what I'm describing.
You feeling silly is not my problem.
Quote
It simply won't do to try minesweeping every area you come through.
Why not?
Quote
anomaly detectors
Hermes: Do such things exist? Because I'm doing a text search through my PDF version of the manual, and no such item is listed.
Quote
All anomalies have warning signs as well, so you'll see or hear them before you trigger them.
Hermes: is this true here? Or is GUNINANRUNIN describing only the PC version of the game?
Quote
All anomalies have warning signs as well, so you'll see or hear them before you trigger them. And if you're
close enough to trigger an anomaly with a broom handle? Well, frankly, you're going to get hurt anyways.
Again, are you talking about the PC game or the RPG? Because what you're saying doesn't match the description I'm seeing in the manual. For example, a Mosquito Mange wouldn't give any visible or auditory indication of its presence, but the stick method I'm proposing would definitely locate it because you'd feel the end of your stick suddenly get heavier. A Painting anomaly would give no auditory indication, and might or might not give visual indication depending on what was in it, as well as humidity and dust conditions, but either way the stick method would definitely detect it because the stick would become fixed in space shortly after entry.
Yes, thrown bolts would also detect these anomalies...but only if you're throwing one ahead of you every couple seconds as you walk. I don't think that's practical.
Quote
Scooters could be useful, but you have to consider that they'll only work well on even ground, and that even if you get a chance to use it, when you're not using it you'll need to carry it.
They're light, and easily carried over a shoulder. I suggest we let Marcus decide whether he wants to bring one, since he's the one who's going to get stuck trying to keep pace with people half his age and in much better physical condition.
Post by: Parsely on July 25, 2013, 06:19:41 am
I still stand by the fact that minesweeping would really slow you guys down, and that getting that close to anomalies is really dangerous.
Detectors aren't in this?
But yeah, most (all?) anomalies have obvious warning signs.
Post by: DaveTheGrave on July 25, 2013, 06:50:43 am
Alright. I could go to the night club, sounds like fun. But we do need some weapons....I guess I'll go to the outdoors store first. See whats around.
And goes to the outdoors store.
Post by: hermes on July 25, 2013, 07:19:59 am
Quoteanomaly detectors
Hermes: Do such things exist? Because I'm doing a text search through my PDF version of the manual, and no such item is listed.
There are no universal anomaly detectors. Some may emit EM radiation in one part of the spectrum, or some other exotic particles, and some may emit nothing. A gieger counter would detect some. IR goggles might detect others. And so on.
Some corporations or the Institute, you can bet, are working on something that can detect a common denominator in all Zone anomalies.
A low tech solution of whatever kind is the best catch all, but some anomalies will get through or cause trouble. There will be no insta-death. If someone triggers an anomaly, depending on the manner in which they walked into it they will suffer some consequences and the team will have a chance to react before it becomes lethal, if it is lethal at all.
Quote
QuoteAll anomalies have warning signs as well, so you'll see or hear them before you trigger them.
Hermes: is this true here? Or is GUNINANRUNIN describing only the PC version of the game?
Almost all will have some warning sign, usually they will require the players to notice their presence in descriptions or by anomalous effects on surroundings. It would be unfair to slap a meatgrinder on someone out of nowhere. However, the manner in which the team proceeds will be important here. Running down the street at full tilt could result in an anomaly hitting you without warning.
Tyler seeing as everyone is now free to roam exits the hotel, wether any of his "companions" follow him is beyond him. He has a few thoughts, memorizing the map.
Alright. I could go to the night club, sounds like fun. But we do need some weapons....I guess I'll go to the outdoors store first. See whats around.
And goes to the outdoors store.
What are you taking, and how much money, Tyler?
Post by: LordBucket on July 25, 2013, 07:50:18 am
"Before we split up, I suggest we share cellphone numbers."
Make mine available to anyone in the party who wants it, and collect same from anyone willing to give theirs.
"Before approaching the zone tomorrow I recommend everyone remove batteries from your phones to prevent celltowers from tracking us obviously approaching it then disappearing, but simply walking around Sapporo should be ok."
Post by: DaveTheGrave on July 25, 2013, 09:05:01 am
What are you taking, and how much money, Tyler?Everything I have on me, so my backpack, and as much money as I have. But I wont need money.
Post by: hermes on July 25, 2013, 09:58:47 am
What are you taking, and how much money, Tyler?Everything I have on me, so my backpack, and as much money as I have. But I wont need money.
OK. You have $2000 in cash from the expenses money and the advance for purchasing equipment. From here on in, all challenges shall be resolved according to the rules of the game. See second post in the thread for an example of a challenge.
Post by: DaveTheGrave on July 25, 2013, 10:23:53 am
Post by: hermes on July 25, 2013, 10:58:51 am
Tyler walks the streets alone with his shoulder-slung bag, his hoodie up and hands in jeans pockets. His sneakers get wetter and wetter in the sludge snow on the sidewalk. When he arrives outside Togusa Outdoor Supplies after a few minutes he's shivering and miserable with damp socks.
Inside is a large, bright family looking store. They have aisles and aisles of outdoor and camping equipment. There are several tills though there is only one staff member on them. Tyler can see about half a dozen shoppers milling about, though there are certainly more than that scattered over the large shop floor.
Spoiler: Togusa Outdoor Supplies (click to show/hide)
Post by: DaveTheGrave on July 25, 2013, 11:37:32 am
Post by: hermes on July 25, 2013, 11:51:27 am
Go to the desk and ask if they have any hiking boots in stock.
Young man at the desk, about the same age as Tyler, says, "Ah, sumimasen, Eigo wa tyotto.. wakaranai desu kedo... doushiyou kanaa.." He looks rather confused and seems to be searching for someone, maybe his manager, but no other staff are around.
Post by: USEC_OFFICER on July 25, 2013, 11:57:30 am
You have $2000 in cash from the expenses money and the advance for purchasing equipment.
Does everybody have $2000 cash, or only Tyler? I'm roughly planning out what I want to buy ahead of time.
Post by: hermes on July 25, 2013, 12:04:50 pm
Post by: USEC_OFFICER on July 25, 2013, 12:09:58 pm
Post by: hector13 on July 25, 2013, 07:18:13 pm
Quick question though: are we assuming everyone has a cell phone, or only people who specifically said they had one? Anyways...
Corban
After returning to his room to collect his bag, exits the hotel wearing a wooly jumper over a t-shirt, and cargo pants along with some boots. Squeezing the packet of money he has against his thigh in his pocket, he ponders upon what he might need for tomorrow, mumbling to himself.
Warm clothes, something to sleep in. Weapons, maybe..? A few days there... A little food, something to drink... Man, 6am? Way too early...
Heads towards Togusa Outdoor Supplies
Edit for moneys.
Post by: Zako on July 26, 2013, 12:11:58 am
Post by: LordBucket on July 26, 2013, 12:41:34 am
Can we have a list of what money and stuff we have for our characters,
or a link leading to a list? I'm not sure how much I have on me...
I think we're going based on what would be reasonably expected from character background. For example, given how Marcus arrived, he probably has a suitcase full of clothes, a passport and maybe a camera in his hotel room. And I'd guess probably a couple thousand dollars worth of yuan. He was on vacation en route to china. It would make sense for him to have a big chunk of cash with him.
On the other hand, Kasumi is local, right? Are you from Hokkaido or did you fly in domestically? If you live here, I'd guess you probably have an apartment nearby, but would have just taken clothes and whatever cash/id/credit cards/stuff you'd normally carry. If you flew in from Honshu, maybe a little more plus a duffle bag with spare clothes and so forth.
Just guessing. We're each here under unique circumstances.
Post by: hermes on July 26, 2013, 06:55:16 am
Have to say, loving the references hermes! Also, that map is awesome, poor quality indeed :p
Thanks :D
Quote
Quick question though: are we assuming everyone has a cell phone, or only people who specifically said they had one?
As much as I would like to punish everyone for not bringing a cell phone, let's say you can have one in your pocket if you want. :)
TURN 03 - Corban - 19:03
Quote
Corban
After returning to his room to collect his bag, exits the hotel wearing a wooly jumper over a t-shirt, and cargo pants along with some boots. Squeezing the packet of money he has against his thigh in his pocket, he ponders upon what he might need for tomorrow, mumbling to himself.
Heads towards Togusa Outdoor Supplies
Corban trudges the same path as Tyler just a few minutes earlier, though decidedly quicker. Away from the lights of the station he looks up to glow of the Zone stretching into the sky. He has seen it many times from his home in Otaru, and though there is barely any difference in appearance tonight in Sapporo he feels much more uncomfortable simply for being closer to the unnatural light. Corban arrives at the outdoor shop feeling refreshed by the walk in the cold air. Inside is much warmer, and brighter. He sees the young man, Tyler, at the counter trying to make the staff understand English.
Spoiler: Togusa Outdoor Supplies (click to show/hide)
Post by: hermes on July 26, 2013, 06:58:19 am
Can we have a list of what money and stuff we have for our characters, or a link leading to a list? I'm not sure how much I have on me...
Can we have a list of what money and stuff we have for our characters,
or a link leading to a list? I'm not sure how much I have on me...
I think we're going based on what would be reasonably expected from character background. For example, given how Marcus arrived, he probably has a suitcase full of clothes, a passport and maybe a camera in his hotel room. And I'd guess probably a couple thousand dollars worth of yuan. He was on vacation en route to china. It would make sense for him to have a big chunk of cash with him.
On the other hand, Kasumi is local, right? Are you from Hokkaido or did you fly in domestically? If you live here, I'd guess you probably have an apartment nearby, but would have just taken clothes and whatever cash/id/credit cards/stuff you'd normally carry. If you flew in from Honshu, maybe a little more plus a duffle bag with spare clothes and so forth.
Just guessing. We're each here under unique circumstances.
OK, character sheets sent out. LordB is right, you can assume you brought some things along at this point. If you put them on the char sheet, that'd be great. Things'll be locked down soon though.
Post by: Zako on July 26, 2013, 02:07:51 pm
Take $1300 and head to the Outdoor store and see what lengths of rope they have available, how much the backpacks and water bottles can hold, and if I can find anything that I could wear over my clothes to clip and hang pouches from.
Post by: USEC_OFFICER on July 26, 2013, 03:17:29 pm
Marcus, I'm concerned about you. You're in your 50s, I don't get the impression you're the super athletic type, and you just got beat up. We're going to spend the next two days walking.
Unless a misunderstanding exists between me and hermes, Marcus should be able to keep up. The second day will definitively be harder for him due to not sleeping in a proper bed, but I'd be surprised if he didn't make it.
Marcus: you're the doctor. I don't think we all need to bring medical gear, but I expect that you will. As far as I'm concerned, for a quick trip like this, a bottle of rubbing alcohol and duct tape is probably all we really need. There's no need for complicated surgeries when we can disinfect and tape ourselves up and be in a hospital the following day. But that's your job, and I'll let you take care of it if you have any input.
Input: Marcus already has most of what he wants, but he's planning on buying some more bandages/disinfectants/gloves/masks for everyone else. He's also going to be looking for some scalpels, aesthetics, needle and thread just in case. He won't be able to perform open-heart surgery with the equipment, but at least he'll be able to close some of the nastier wounds.
Hermes: Does Marcus's inventory look okay? I can't think of anything else he might have on him for a trip of Beijing.
Post by: USEC_OFFICER on July 26, 2013, 03:27:09 pm
"Before we split up, I suggest we share cellphone numbers."
Make mine available to anyone in the party who wants it, and collect same from anyone willing to give theirs.
"Before approaching the zone tomorrow I recommend everyone remove batteries from your phones to prevent celltowers from tracking us obviously approaching it then disappearing, but simply walking around Sapporo should be ok."
Marcus mumbles an apology about not having a cellphone on him, and then hurries to his room to check that everything is in order. Seeing that everything is fine, he goes outside with his $2000, with the map clutched tightly in his hand.
Marcus head east to the highway-looking road, and then follows it down to Togusa Outdoor Supplies.
Post by: hector13 on July 26, 2013, 07:28:31 pm
TURN 03 - Corban - 19:03
Corban trudges the same path as Tyler just a few minutes earlier, though decidedly quicker. Away from the lights of the station he looks up to glow of the Zone stretching into the sky. He has seen it many times from his home in Otaru, and though there is barely any difference in appearance tonight in Sapporo he feels much more uncomfortable simply for being closer to the unnatural light. Corban arrives at the outdoor shop feeling refreshed by the walk in the cold air. Inside is much warmer, and brighter. He sees the young man, Tyler, at the counter trying to make the staff understand English.Spoiler: Togusa Outdoor Supplies (click to show/hide)
Corban
Smiles in amusement upon watching Tyler try to get the staff to understand what he needs, fondly remembering his own language troubles when he first came to Japan. Walks up to Tyler, pats him on the arm and asks:
You doing alright, kid?
Turns to the man staffing the desk with a friendly smile.
Spoiler: Japanese (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: More Japanese (click to show/hide)
Okay, dude, what is it you'd like?
Buy some of the things I need for the trip here, pop it in my backpack and/or cargo pants and help Tyler communicate with the staff. Pay for my stuff, too.
OOC: I believe all that comes to $1310 so far.
Post by: DaveTheGrave on July 26, 2013, 08:14:48 pm
"Uh I just needed a pair of boots, so my feet don't get soaked, other then that I'm fine."
Then takes a peek around, looking incase for some off reason, someone was following them.
Post by: Zako on July 26, 2013, 10:39:28 pm
Post by: LordBucket on July 27, 2013, 02:17:57 am
Quote
please state as you leave what you're wearing, taking and how much money you have on you.
Sent via private message.
1) Ask the hotel concierge if they have any private tour guides on staff I can hire for several hours. If the rates are reasonable, hire one and take him with me. While we walk, chat with him for useful information and current events.
2) Since apparently it's snowing outside, go to my room, get my duster and hat.
3) Head to outdoor supply shop. Purchase following:
Backpack (frameless): $150
5 units of Beef jerky: $25
2 cans of food: $10
20 Steel nuts: $10
Water bottle: $25
Sleeping bag: $250
Hiking boots: $180
Rain poncho: $25
Lighter: $50
Subtotal: $725. I assume they'll take ¥72,500 yen.
Examine the "winter clothes." What's included?
Inquire about
* duck tape
* can opener
* mylar blankets
* survival knife (sturdy, not one of those flimsy ones with stuff in the handle)
* spool of string (something like this (http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-roll-hemp-string-image16417610))
Worst case, if I don't have the guide, and if don't arrive in time to shop with Corban and the others, google the things I want on my phone and show a picture to the sales staff. They'll figure it out.
Walk and shop briskly I have a lot to take care of before I get to sleep.
Post by: hermes on July 27, 2013, 10:27:27 am
Take $1300 and head to the Outdoor store and see what lengths of rope they have available, how much the backpacks and water bottles can hold, and if I can find anything that I could wear over my clothes to clip and hang pouches from.
Kasumi walks briskly to the store, she's more sure-footed than the men in the snow and ice, and doesn't spend so much time looking around. Sapporo is tiny compared to Tokyo, a provincial backwater that seems lesser in almost every respect, except for the ominous glow of the Zone which she finds a little unsettling. At least the night glow in Tokyo is man-made.
In the shop she sees Corban helping Tyler so goes straight to the aisles.
The rope is 30m. Frameless backpack is 40 liters, framed backpack carries 80 liters. Water bottles carry 2 liters. The Winter Clothes are bulky, synthetic fiber padded jacket and trousers that are water resistant. They have many pockets and toggles. Very practical.
Spoiler: Togusa Outdoor Supplies (click to show/hide)
Post by: hermes on July 27, 2013, 10:35:58 am
Marcus mumbles an apology about not having a cellphone on him, and then hurries to his room to check that everything is in order. Seeing that everything is fine, he goes outside with his $2000, with the map clutched tightly in his hand.
Marcus head east to the highway-looking road, and then follows it down to Togusa Outdoor Supplies.
The cold is biting but Marcus doesn't seem to bothered by it, the strangeness of the predicament he is in keeps his mind focused. Holding the map he double and triple checks it several times on his way, but the landmarks are easy to follow and he arrives at the outdoor store directly.
Spoiler: Togusa Outdoor Supplies (click to show/hide)
Post by: hermes on July 27, 2013, 10:48:30 am
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Buy some of the things I need for the trip here, pop it in my backpack and/or cargo pants and help Tyler communicate with the staff. Pay for my stuff, too.
OOC: I believe all that comes to $1310 so far.
The cashier charges Corban $1310 for the goods bought and $20 for a space blanket that he goes to fetch. There is too much to put in the travel backpack so Corban has to carry things in bags in each hand (the boots and sleeping bag, etc.).
Post by: hermes on July 27, 2013, 11:00:41 am
Tyler sighs, lucky to have someone helpful on board.
"Uh I just needed a pair of boots, so my feet don't get soaked, other then that I'm fine."
Corban helps Tyler to buy a pair of sturdy walking boots. Tyler pays for the boots and receives the bag. The shop clerk looks at Corban with backpack and arms full of stuff, and looks at Tyler. And back to Corban.
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Then takes a peek around, looking incase for some off reason, someone was following them.
Tyler can't see anyone odd, except the funny looking old doctor, walk in.
Post by: hermes on July 27, 2013, 11:16:38 am
1) Ask the hotel concierge if they have any private tour guides on staff I can hire for several hours. If the rates are reasonable, hire one and take him with me. While we walk, chat with him for useful information and current events.
The lady on the front desk smiles as Alexei approaches again. She thinks about his request and leaves to ask her manager. Alexei waits in the empty lobby, then she returns wearing a thick coat and fur hat. "I'll be your guide, Mr. Konovalov, if that is suitable for you?"
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2) Since apparently it's snowing outside, go to my room, get my duster and hat.
Alexei agrees, tells her to wait and fetches his duster and fedora. They leave walking side by side. On the way to the store, Alexei asks about the latest news and gossip. Charisma 1. Alexei looks like a perfect gentleman in his hat with umbrella shielding them from the snow. She introduces herself, her name is Yumiko Asakura. As they walk slowly, she talks of some attacks that have happened recently in homes in the borderlands. She is safe because she lives in the city, but her mother and aunt live Ebetsu where two or three have been killed. The news reports give no details she says, but everyone knows it is something from the Zone. Some people say it's a Replica of an old woman from Ebetsu, but other's say it's an Inorganical monster. She hopes Alexei will be safe in the Zone.
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3) Head to outdoor supply shop. Purchase following:
Backpack (frameless): $150
5 units of Beef jerky: $25
2 cans of food: $10
20 Steel nuts: $10
Water bottle: $25
Sleeping bag: $250
Hiking boots: $180
Rain poncho: $25
Lighter: $50
Subtotal: $725. I assume they'll take ¥72,500 yen.
Examine the "winter clothes." What's included?
Inquire about
* duck tape
* can opener
* mylar blankets
* survival knife (sturdy, not one of those flimsy ones with stuff in the handle)
* spool of string (something like this (http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-roll-hemp-string-image16417610))
Walk and shop briskly I have a lot to take care of before I get to sleep.
Alexei buys everything with the minimum of fuss, Yumiko translates for him.
The Winter Clothes are bulky, synthetic fiber padded jacket and trousers that are water resistant. They have many pockets and toggles. Very practical.
Duck Tape $10 a roll
Can opener $5
Space blanket $20
The survival knives in this store are all a bit flimsy. Best Chain Store Survival Knife $100
String $5
Post by: DaveTheGrave on July 27, 2013, 11:25:54 am
"Thanks, uh?"
After receiving his name, he thanks him properly, and walks out of the store to the entrance of the store.
Walk to the nightclub.
Post by: LordBucket on July 27, 2013, 03:41:50 pm
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Duck Tape $10 a roll
Can opener $5
Space blanket $20
The survival knives in this store are all a bit flimsy. Best Chain Store Survival Knife $100
String $5
Pass on the knife, then, They'll have knives at the gun store.
buy
(2) rolls of duck tape: $20
Cap opener $5
(5) space blankets $50
roll of string $5
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The Winter Clothes are bulky, synthetic fiber padded jacket and trousers that are
water resistant. They have many pockets and toggles. Very practical.
Hmm. I'd rather not buy it, but when a GM makes this many references to cold:
The weather outside is around freezing and snowing lightly.
The Zone is cold
You will need stuff to stay warm
snow on the sidewalk
the cold air
in the snow and ice
The cold is biting
she returns wearing a thick coat and fur hat
shielding them from the snow.
...one begins to wonder if it might be best to take the hint. Thing is, between three layers (shirt + vest + jacket) on my suit, plus the already waterproof ankle-length duster, plus boots, gloves, hat and umbrella...from the descriptions I've seen (still don't know what Kasumi is wearing, but I've seen sweaters and hoodies on others) I'm already the most warmly dressed member of the party. If I get cold...odds are good everyone else is freezing, and we'll have to stop and camp anyway. Or improvise with mylar and duck tape. If we duck tape sheets of mylar between the inner and outer layers of clothing, we're probably good down to any temperature we can safely breathe in.
Meh.
Buy the winter clothes, a spare frameless backpack and sleeping bag, and have them delivered to the hotel.
Head to gun club next
Continue chatting up Miss Asakura
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She hopes Alexei will be safe in the Zone.
"I appreciate that you're so concerned about me."
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some attacks that have happened recently in homes in the borderlands
"What happened? What sort of injuries on the dead?"
Quote
As they walk slowly, she talks of some attacks that have happened recently in homes in the borderlands. She
is safe because she lives in the city, but her mother and aunt live Ebetsu where two or three have been killed.
"Your family lives in the borderland? That must be very difficult."
Incidentally, is this the same girl who gave me her room key earlier?
Also, try as I might, and even on 200% zoom-in I am unable to read some of the text on the map. Only nine locations are itemized in turn 3 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=128016.msg4433207#msg4433207), but I count 11 text labels on the map besides the hotel, park and subway. What are the other two locations?
Post by: hector13 on July 27, 2013, 06:51:49 pm
The cashier charges Corban $1310 for the goods bought and $20 for a space blanket that he goes to fetch. There is too much to put in the travel backpack so Corban has to carry things in bags in each hand (the boots and sleeping bag, etc.).
Speaking to the staffer [Japanese]Thanks.
I'd like to hail a taxi in order to take things back to the hotel, and chat to the driver on the way to see if they know much about the Zone, because I imagine they'd get to talk to lots of different types of people in their line of work.
I'd like to ask the driver to wait while I drop off everything I just bought in my room and then proceed to the gun shop, continuing to find out things about the area from the driver.
Post by: Zako on July 27, 2013, 09:44:17 pm
Rain poncho
Binoculars
Climbing irons
Rope, 30m
Compass
Sleeping bag
Mess kit
Backpack (frameless)
Lighter
Winter clothes
Electric torch
Water bottle
Can opener
3 x Beef Jerky
2 x Canned Food
Then head to the hotel with everything and put it all in my room, grab the rest of my money and head to the Electronic Store and see what's in stock that I could use in the Zone.
Post by: hermes on July 28, 2013, 08:40:13 am
Post by: LordBucket on July 28, 2013, 08:49:10 am
Walk to the nightclub.
The gun club
I think he meant Pazu's Nightclub.
Post by: hermes on July 28, 2013, 09:06:40 am
Walk to the nightclub.The gun club
I think he meant Pazu's Nightclub.
:D
Oh my! Thanks, I've been typing at my laptop all evening. Time for a break. Oh dear...
Post by: hermes on July 29, 2013, 10:30:10 am
TURN 03 - Tyler
Put the boots on,and put sneakers into backpack.
"Thanks, uh?"
After receiving his name, he thanks him properly, and walks out of the store to the entrance of the store.
Walk to the nightclub.
The store clerk bows quickly and says, "Arigatougozaimaaaasu". Tyler walks a bit more confidently with the boots on, and makes his way through Oodoori Park towards the nightclub. In the park there are many people wandering around the ice sculptures that have been carved for the winter festival. It looks like they were made days or weeks ago however, their once sharp clear features are molten and twisted and eroded into barely recognizable globs. Near their bases the melt has formed pools of clear hard ice. Tyler thinks he can see the remains of a horse in one.
By the time he reaches the nightclub entrance he is once again cold. This hoodie just isn't enough for such a climate. On a quieter though well sign lit street just behind Oodoori Tyler sees a sign for Pazu's Nightclub and walks to the stairs and trots up. At the second floor door he is greeted by a smart man wearing a thick black overcoat, probably a suit underneath, carrying an umbrella. He has a neatly trimmed beard and slicked back hair. "O! Welcome, sir..." He looks Tyler up and down. He looks puzzled for a moment. It seems like hoodied young men with backpack and hiking boots covered in snow don't come here too often. "I am, ahh, don't think this is club for you. You want to come in? The entrance fee is $50. It's not so cheap. There many bars with no entrance fee. Hey, are you over 20?"
Post by: hermes on July 29, 2013, 11:25:52 am
buy
(2) rolls of duck tape: $20
Cap opener $5
(5) space blankets $50
roll of string $5
Buy the winter clothes, a spare frameless backpack and sleeping bag, and have them delivered to the hotel.
Total cost of goods, $1100, cost of delivery $10.
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Hmm. I'd rather not buy it, but when a GM makes this many references to cold:
...one begins to wonder if it might be best to take the hint.
((Yes. The average temp. in Feb is about -4C. Around 0 during the day and -8C at night. In the Stalker post-Visitation world, the Japan Zone has had a cooling effect on the northern part of Hokkaido since it blocks out some sunlight, making it a tundra wasteland. That in turn has had a slight cooling effect on the rest of Hokkaido. So game temperatures are colder than IRL. I am being kind now, but unless people start to kit up they will be cold and wet and die from exposure. :) ))
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Head to gun club nextAlexei and Yumiko walk out of the store and begin talking. They hear a faint, "Arigatougo..." as the automatic doors close.
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Continue chatting up Miss Asakura"It is only natural to be concerned, Mr. Konovalov. I do not wish anyone to harm from that place. Why is it that you became a Stalker? You have money it looks like. Why do you risk your life? If I had money I would move as far away as I could from here."QuoteShe hopes Alexei will be safe in the Zone."I appreciate that you're so concerned about me."
Quote
"I don't really know. My aunt said the paper said the bodies were.. I don't know how to say... umm.. it was hard to tell who they were. They were attacked and some parts were missing. It's pretty horrible, right? Do you understand? The people of Ebetsu want the government to do something but they don't. That is why so many people around here hate the government. They have left us."Quotesome attacks that have happened recently in homes in the borderlands"What happened? What sort of injuries on the dead?"
Quote
"My hometown was there. I mean, it is there. It isn't gone, yet! I was a child when the... you say Visitation, yes? We say Kyouki no hikari, or kyouhi, which means, umm, the light of madness. I was a child when it came. We are used to it here. Where does your family live, Mr. Konovalov? Are they safe from the.. Visitation?"QuoteAs they walk slowly, she talks of some attacks that have happened recently in homes in the borderlands. She"Your family lives in the borderland? That must be very difficult."
is safe because she lives in the city, but her mother and aunt live Ebetsu where two or three have been killed.
They arrive at the gun club. The entrance leads into a shop, a small place with counter-to-ceiling metal grilles covering the counter on the left side of the room. On the right leading away from the door are shelves and racks with all kinds of paraphernalia. There is a door in the grille-counter at the far end of the store. Behind the grille there are lots of guns hanging on racks; handguns, shotguns, rifles and automatic weapons of many designs. Alexei can also see explosives; various sizes of mine, grenades of peculiar shape and function and other things unrecognizable. Possibly bombs? Chemical weapons? Biological? He cannot read any labels.
There is one old bearded Japanese man wearing a baseball cap in the store, a customer, who's leaning at the counter talking to the man behind the counter. The clerk looks old, maybe in his fifties, but clean shaven with short clipped black hair and a black eyepatch. He looks at Alexei and Yumiko and doesn't smile or say anything. He looks ex-military. On second thought, Alexei thinks there is no way anyone could hire a man like this, he must be the owner. The bearded customer looks at Alexei then Yumiko and says something in Japanese. Yumiko responds in a jovial manner. The exchange seems friendly enough. Yumiko says,
"He thinks you have paid for me and want to impress me by shooting some guns!" The customer raises his hand, pleading, and says in rough English,
"Hey, she is a pretty lady! I do the same thing, if I'm younger, ehehe." The owner still doesn't smile. He says plainly with a perfect American accent,
"Don't listen to him, foreigner. You're going into the Zone, right? What can I get you?"
Spoiler: Saito's Gun Club (click to show/hide)
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Incidentally, is this the same girl who gave me her room key earlier?
Yes
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Also, try as I might, and even on 200% zoom-in I am unable to read some of the text on the map. Only nine locations are itemized in turn 3 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=128016.msg4433207#msg4433207), but I count 11 text labels on the map besides the hotel, park and subway. What are the other two locations?
There's also a TV Tower in the park, University grounds and the Historical Government office.
Kasumi & Corban tomorrow.
Post by: DaveTheGrave on July 29, 2013, 12:30:57 pm
"Im just gonna go."
Sighing, Tyler decides to go back to the outdoors store, realizing he needs winter clothes if he's going to survive.
Buy this:
30m
Climbing Irons
Binoculars
Sleeping bag
Mess kit
Winter clothes
Flashlight/Torch
Water bottle/Canteen
3 x Beef Jerky
3 x Canned Food
Entrenching Tool
Hatchet
If possible, a belt to carry tools.
Attempt to steal small items:
1x Beef Jerky
Multi-Tool
Lighter
Compass
Post by: Zako on July 29, 2013, 01:33:12 pm
Post by: hermes on July 29, 2013, 08:58:42 pm
((You missed my turn...))
((sorry, didn't forget, just was time for bed. will do tonight... I double checked and don't think I missed an earlier turn, did I?))
Post by: LordBucket on July 30, 2013, 05:09:06 am
don't think I missed an earlier turn, did I?))
This one (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=128016.msg4440972#msg4440972)
Post by: hermes on July 31, 2013, 09:19:32 am
Speaking to the staffer [Japanese]Thanks.
I'd like to hail a taxi in order to take things back to the hotel, and chat to the driver on the way to see if they know much about the Zone, because I imagine they'd get to talk to lots of different types of people in their line of work.
Corban leaves the shop and waits for a couple of minutes before hailing a cab. The driver is surprised Corban requests a place so close*, but drives.
"The Zone? Ohh, it's a nasty place, of course I don't know anything firsthand, but talked to a lot of people who have been in there. Say, are you a Stalker? Are you going in? This one Stalker, I knew he was a Stalker because he told me, see?, he said there are these great clouds of night, just blackness, that float around the Zone, he said if you are inside then they're OK and day turns to night just in a moment when they pass over. But he said one guy in his team was caught outside when the dark cloud came and he was burnt as like by the Hiroshima bomb. Skin peeling and blistering blood, said he died slowly. Sounds horrible, right! You take care!"
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I'd like to ask the driver to wait while I drop off everything I just bought in my room and then proceed to the gun shop, continuing to find out things about the area from the driver.
The driver becomes quite cheerful when told to wait, assuring Corban he can wait for however long he likes.
"The gun shop, right. Guy who runs that place, he's ex-military, they say he's fought all over the world, as a mercenary too. Tough guy he is. Used to be a sniper, but now he's only got one eye. Do you know if you can still shoot straight with one eye? I'd bet that he can. He's contracted Stalkers before too. Asked them to get something for him from the Zone. Here we are. That's $30."
In the gun shop Corban sees Alexei with the girl from reception at the counter, with the bearded customer and the owner, all four talking. It looks like a pretty friendly place to shop for guns.
Spoiler: Saito's Gun Club (click to show/hide)
* OOC, when I visited Sapporo a taxi driver basically refused to take us in a taxi at night in heavy snow because it was "really close". 15 minute walk. Jerk!
Post by: hermes on July 31, 2013, 09:50:35 am
Purchase the following:
Rain poncho
Binoculars
Climbing irons
Rope, 30m
Compass
Sleeping bag
Mess kit
Backpack (frameless)
Lighter
Winter clothes
Electric torch
Water bottle
Can opener
3 x Beef Jerky
2 x Canned Food
$5 for the can opener. $1275 in total. Kasumi pays in cash, and the young man at the counter packs everything slowly and carefully into big poly-bags. He glances at Kasumi a few times, perhaps half guessing what she's doing and can't quite believe it. She leaves and walks purposefully to the hotel, and stashes everything in her room.
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Then head to the hotel with everything and put it all in my room, grab the rest of my money and head to the Electronic Store and see what's in stock that I could use in the Zone.[/b]
Bouma's Electronics is a stone's throw from the glare of Sapporo station's open concourse. The alley it's in is filled with similarly popular looking shops, games stores, maid cafes, comic shops and more electronics. Kasumi enters, and immediately feels apprehensive. It's a dark, quiet place, illuminated only by the glow of digital displays from the goods, a single flourescent strip lamp above the counter at the end, and a muffled light from the street. The owner, Bouma, is a large man who, despite the poor quality lighting, is wearing sunglasses and reading at the counter. Kasumi thinks he's reading hentai.
He looks up at Kasumi and is quite expressionless. "Good evening," he says. He pauses for several seconds, inspecting. There is no noise in the store besides the faint whirr of some device. It stops. He seems to reach a conclusion, "Take a look around. If you want some specialist equipment, I can get that for you too." And he goes back to his comic.
Spoiler: Bouma's Electronics (click to show/hide)
Post by: hermes on July 31, 2013, 10:18:21 am
I could try to convince him, or I could just leave...hmm.
"Im just gonna go."
The doorman shrugs and watches Tyler walk back down the steps.
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Sighing, Tyler decides to go back to the outdoors store, realizing he needs winter clothes if he's going to survive.
Buy this:
30m
Climbing Irons
Binoculars
Sleeping bag
Mess kit
Winter clothes
Flashlight/Torch
Water bottle/Canteen
3 x Beef Jerky
3 x Canned Food
Entrenching Tool
Hatchet
If possible, a belt to carry tools.
Attempt to steal small items:
1x Beef Jerky
Multi-Tool
Lighter
Compass
Tyler tramps quickly back to the outdoor store. He's really cold now, and keeps his head on his feet to avoid slipping. He walks into the store and shakes off the snow. He starts wheeling around a shopping trolley, and unzips his shoulder bag. While throwing stuff in the cart, some small items accidentally make their way into the opening of his shoulder bag. Tyler is such a klutz!
He rolls up to the counter and without saying anything he pays for the goods. $1145. The young man packs his bags and hands them to Tyler. Tyler walks to the exit, a poly-bag full of goods in each hand, and an insistant voice comes from behind, "Tomatte kudasai! Okyakusama, tyotto matte!" Tyler glances behind and sees a couple of older men wearing suits walking towards him, about 15m away now. The door 3m away.
What do you do?
Note on what happened here... Tyler's action, "Attempt to steal small items:" scores a 2 for idea (weak idea; the list of items means this is not a 1 - stupid idea) and a generous 3 for roleplay (it is in his nature to do this, if Tyler didn't try to steal something I'd be disappointed). 2x3 = 6 which just about fits the challenge score for this action. 5 is a routine action, and I reckon shoplifting small things from a big store is pretty routine, especially for Tyler, but before I worked out the score I'd set the challenge at 7. So failed by 1 point. To have made this a slam-dunk, DaveTheGrave, just add small details like "check for staff and cameras" or "steal stuff behind other customers", etc. That would boost the idea up to about 4... 4x3=12 which would nail the theft. If I wanted to be mean, the guards would be between Tyler and the door ;D
Post by: Zako on July 31, 2013, 11:17:39 am
"I'm looking for something that can help me find dangerous spots and things in the zone. A detector or something. Have you anything like that?"
Inspect the Geiger counters and grab a small but tough looking one, then ask the man for info.
Post by: DaveTheGrave on July 31, 2013, 12:19:34 pm
Post by: hector13 on July 31, 2013, 05:28:17 pm
TURN 03 - CorbanSpeaking to the staffer [Japanese]Thanks.
I'd like to hail a taxi in order to take things back to the hotel, and chat to the driver on the way to see if they know much about the Zone, because I imagine they'd get to talk to lots of different types of people in their line of work.
Corban leaves the shop and waits for a couple of minutes before hailing a cab. The driver is surprised Corban requests a place so close*, but drives.
"The Zone? Ohh, it's a nasty place, of course I don't know anything firsthand, but talked to a lot of people who have been in there. Say, are you a Stalker? Are you going in? This one Stalker, I knew he was a Stalker because he told me, see?, he said there are these great clouds of night, just blackness, that float around the Zone, he said if you are inside then they're OK and day turns to night just in a moment when they pass over. But he said one guy in his team was caught outside when the dark cloud came and he was burnt as like by the Hiroshima bomb. Skin peeling and blistering blood, said he died slowly. Sounds horrible, right! You take care!"QuoteI'd like to ask the driver to wait while I drop off everything I just bought in my room and then proceed to the gun shop, continuing to find out things about the area from the driver.
The driver becomes quite cheerful when told to wait, assuring Corban he can wait for however long he likes.
"The gun shop, right. Guy who runs that place, he's ex-military, they say he's fought all over the world, as a mercenary too. Tough guy he is. Used to be a sniper, but now he's only got one eye. Do you know if you can still shoot straight with one eye? I'd bet that he can. He's contracted Stalkers before too. Asked them to get something for him from the Zone. Here we are. That's $30."
In the gun shop Corban sees Alexei with the girl from reception at the counter, with the bearded customer and the owner, all four talking. It looks like a pretty friendly place to shop for guns.Spoiler: Saito's Gun Club (click to show/hide)
* OOC, when I visited Sapporo a taxi driver basically refused to take us in a taxi at night in heavy snow because it was "really close". 15 minute walk. Jerk!
Tip the driver $10 for the information and pleasant journey [Japanese] Thanks, friend, that information might help keep me and my friends alive. Have a nice night!
Nod in greeting to Alexei, if he sees me come in, and ostensibly look as though he's browsing the stock, but really looking for cameras and other staff/customers.
Post by: LordBucket on July 31, 2013, 06:35:09 pm
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Where does your family live, Mr. Konovalov? Are they safe from the.. Visitation?"
"We're from Moscow. And yes, we were relatively untouched by the Visitation. The Russian Zone is a thousand miles away from home."
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You're going into the Zone, right? What can I get you?"
"I have some companions who'll be showing up soon, and among us I suspect we'll be spending a fair amount of money today. I wonder if we might negotiate a deal: everyone who buys a weapon get a complimentary session on your firing range with personal instruction on how to handle their weapon."
Buy
(2) safety goggles
(2) smoke grenades
gas mask
Pistol, with four loaded clips
Sawed-off shotgun, with 10 each slugs and buckshot
"Also, I'd like a belt loop holster for the pistol and both a back holster and side saddle for the shotgun, and a sturdy combat knife if you have one with belt loop scabbard."
After making purchases spend half an hour on the firing range and get familiar with my guns. Invite Yumiko to join in. I bought two weapons. If I need to buy extra ammo for the range time, that's fine. It's cheap. The above list is what I want to leave with. Be completely certain that, even if my aim is not spectacular, I won't make any mistakes like trying to fire with the safety set, failing to set it, be sure I know how to load and reload, get comfortable with distinguishing between empty and loaded chamber, etc. Given Alexei's background I assume he's probably at least gone skeet shooting once or twice, even if it's not something he's particularly skilled at.
Post by: hermes on August 02, 2013, 05:45:32 am
Kasumi nods and walks over to inspect the Geiger counters, grabbing one and then heading back over to the man.
"I'm looking for something that can help me find dangerous spots and things in the zone. A detector or something. Have you anything like that?"
Inspect the Geiger counters and grab a small but tough looking one, then ask the man for info.
The fat man looks up from his comic, definitely not a respectable one, and looks at Kasumi. He relaxes a bit, "That's a Mitsubishi AS-950. It's a standard multi-modal radioactive particle and wave detector. Gives readouts in Sieverts. Two 9v batteries, works for a year, backlight display and water resistant. In the Zone, hmmm, others have taken the same one. Those that came back said it detected Roentgen's Lilly, but that ain't really a measure of its usefulness, more stating the fact that it is a Geiger counter, know what I mean? Some have said it helped warn for... what was is called?... ah.. Pulsars, of course, and... Cryptoborgs. The day-night boundaries also emit some radiation, though it's fainter than the other stuff. That's it. For other things, I don't know. Might save your life. Might, no guarantees on that, sister. So pretty useful, right? $250."
"Hey, you going in soon? Listen to something, willya?" he takes off his glasses and puts them on the comic on the counter, to reveal two empty sockets, the skin has scarred over where his eyeballs used to be housed. "See this? I lost them to an infection ten years ago. But I ain't the only blinded man around, see?" He leans towards Kasumi and speaks plaintively, "It's known that there are some things in the Zone that give humans special abilities. Things that augment us. I want one of these items. To be more specific, I want mutant eyes. Bring back the eyeballs of a mutant and I'll make you rich. Richer than you think I can make you. The eyes must have a length of the optic nerve still attached, right? And not punctured. Can you do that, sister?"
Post by: hermes on August 02, 2013, 05:55:50 am
Having such a headstart, tyler switches both bags to one hand, and quickly moves outside the door. He moves to the right, so he's out of the way of the door. Then runs across the street. Moving forward more, he moves between the Gun shop and the other building. He continues moving forward until he's at the backside. He stops for a moment to rest, hoping his Quick Feet helped him get away.
The security guards are, at first, shocked that anyone even tried to run. Must be a foreigner, they couldn't tell from the camera, they realise too late. They belatedly make for the door and see Tyler enter the alley. "Oooooiii!" They run across the road to the alley entrance but cannot see him. They look down the alley for twenty seconds but cannot see nor hear anything. It's cold and snowing so they jog back into the store. They're going to have a long night checking all the security videos and doing till counts. They sigh, and joke about each other being slow and too chicken to enter the alley. Tyler waits, for a while, then checks and sees he's in the clear.
Post by: Zako on August 02, 2013, 07:48:25 am
"Sounds reasonable enough. Any specific mutants you want eyes from? Oh, I'm getting some gear to head in, so if you can provide a bit of a down payment to help with that, it will make things easier for the both of us. Something that can help detect artefacts and anomalies would be fantastic though. What do you recommend on that front?"
Accept the job and ask for info.
Post by: USEC_OFFICER on August 02, 2013, 01:19:49 pm
Sleeping Bag, Winter Clothes, Hiking Boots, Electric Torch, Water Bottle x2, Backpack (with frame), Mess Kit, Painkillers (20 pills), Bandage x6, Disinfectant x4, Can Opener, Space Blanket, Beef Jerky x5, Canned Food x6.
He also looks around for some batteries (for the flashlight) and some extra fuel for the portable stove.
Unless I'm mistaken I should have $500 left over. That should be enough for whatever medical equipment I need, right?
Post by: Zako on August 02, 2013, 01:43:47 pm
Post by: USEC_OFFICER on August 02, 2013, 01:52:19 pm
Post by: LordBucket on August 02, 2013, 02:22:21 pm
Quote
The fat man looks up from his comic, definitely not a respectable one,
blinded man
Poor guy is staring at a comic to put his customers at ease and doesn't even realize the one he chose had naughty tentacles.
Quote
No clue. Run and hide is probably my best guess.
Shotguns are only $250. I'm sure we can pitch in and get you one.
Post by: DaveTheGrave on August 02, 2013, 04:37:17 pm
Post by: hermes on August 03, 2013, 08:06:35 am
Tip the driver $10 for the information and pleasant journey [Japanese] Thanks, friend, that information might help keep me and my friends alive. Have a nice night!
"And good night to you, sir. Please take care." He sits in his car with the light on, writing on a clipboard as Corban walks into the gun club store.
Quote
Nod in greeting to Alexei, if he sees me come in, and ostensibly look as though he's browsing the stock, but really looking for cameras and other staff/customers.
In the gun shop Corban sees Alexei with the girl from reception at the counter, with the bearded customer and the owner, all four talking. It looks like a pretty friendly place to shop for guns. He nods in their direction and saunters over to the racks and shelves on the other side of the store, though not so far away. Picking up some items to inspect them closer, he can see out of the corner of his eye that the shop has... no cameras. Well, certainly there are no obvious ones and none betrayed by wiring or antennae. He glances at the four and the old bearded guy is now leaning back on the counter such that he can still talk to Alexei and the girl and also see Corban clearly, though he doesn't seem to be making a point of doing so.
Then he looks at Corban and says in English, "Hey! Are you a Stalker too? You enter the Zone with this guy too? Maybe you need some gun experience too. Want to shoot?"
Post by: hector13 on August 03, 2013, 09:43:24 am
TURN 03 - CorbanTip the driver $10 for the information and pleasant journey [Japanese] Thanks, friend, that information might help keep me and my friends alive. Have a nice night!
"And good night to you, sir. Please take care." He sits in his car with the light on, writing on a clipboard as Corban walks into the gun club store.QuoteNod in greeting to Alexei, if he sees me come in, and ostensibly look as though he's browsing the stock, but really looking for cameras and other staff/customers.
In the gun shop Corban sees Alexei with the girl from reception at the counter, with the bearded customer and the owner, all four talking. It looks like a pretty friendly place to shop for guns. He nods in their direction and saunters over to the racks and shelves on the other side of the store, though not so far away. Picking up some items to inspect them closer, he can see out of the corner of his eye that the shop has... no cameras. Well, certainly there are no obvious ones and none betrayed by wiring or antennae. He glances at the four and the old bearded guy is now leaning back on the counter such that he can still talk to Alexei and the girl and also see Corban clearly, though he doesn't seem to be making a point of doing so.
Then he looks at Corban and says in English, "Hey! Are you a Stalker too? You enter the Zone with this guy too? Maybe you need some gun experience too. Want to shoot?"
Ponders upon the wisdom of stealing from a former military man in a shop full of guns, and decides that perhaps it's not the best idea. At least, having no experience with guns, the owner would probably be significantly less inclined to show him the intricacies of gunplay. He'll swing by the drug store on the way back to the hotel, probably less life-threatening there. Sweating slightly, he replies:
I think that might be a good idea, I've never fired a gun before. What firearms would you recommend for a first time user heading into a potentially deadly area? No offence but uh... I'm in a bit of a hurry so uh... could we do this quickly?
Listen to the man's advice, learn the intricacies of gunplay.
Post by: USEC_OFFICER on August 03, 2013, 10:28:29 am
QuoteNo clue. Run and hide is probably my best guess.
Shotguns are only $250. I'm sure we can pitch in and get you one.
Maybe. I get the feeling I'd shoot myself in the foot with it though.
Post by: Zako on August 03, 2013, 11:27:39 am
Post by: DaveTheGrave on August 03, 2013, 01:54:25 pm
Post by: hermes on August 05, 2013, 10:41:44 am
QuoteYou're going into the Zone, right? What can I get you?""I have some companions who'll be showing up soon, and among us I suspect we'll be spending a fair amount of money today. I wonder if we might negotiate a deal: everyone who buys a weapon get a complimentary session on your firing range with personal instruction on how to handle their weapon."
The man thinks for a moment, looking Alexei straight in the eyes with his one. He has a perfect poker face, giving nothing away except the fact that he is judging.
"OK. Make your purchases and you can practice."
Quote
Buy
(2) safety goggles
(2) smoke grenades
gas mask
Pistol, with four loaded clips
Sawed-off shotgun, with 10 each slugs and buckshot
"Also, I'd like a belt loop holster for the pistol and both a back holster and side saddle for the shotgun, and a sturdy combat knife if you have one with belt loop scabbard."
Without checking anything or hesistation, and without looking up from the receipt he writes for Alexei's order, "I have all that. The holsters will cost an extra $100 and the knife $300."
Total cost: $1450
Quote
After making purchases spend half an hour on the firing range and get familiar with my guns. Invite Yumiko to join in. I bought two weapons. If I need to buy extra ammo for the range time, that's fine. It's cheap. The above list is what I want to leave with. Be completely certain that, even if my aim is not spectacular, I won't make any mistakes like trying to fire with the safety set, failing to set it, be sure I know how to load and reload, get comfortable with distinguishing between empty and loaded chamber, etc. Given Alexei's background I assume he's probably at least gone skeet shooting once or twice, even if it's not something he's particularly skilled at.
While Alexei is going over the goods and payment with the owner...
I think that might be a good idea, I've never fired a gun before. What firearms would you recommend for a first time user heading into a potentially deadly area? No offence but uh... I'm in a bit of a hurry so uh... could we do this quickly?
Listen to the man's advice, learn the intricacies of gunplay.
After putting on my shit, head into the gun store.
Corban and Tyler get recruited into the training session. Tyler looks twice his normal size in the winter clothing, but extremely warm and contented.
The one-eyed owner flicks a switch under the counter behind the grille and a door at the far end of the shop buzzes and unlocks with a solid “klump”. Without talking, he stands and walks to another door on his side of the counter and into the back. The bearded guy, he looks like he's in his sixties with a wrinkled and kindly face, grey hair and bald on top, he says, “If you in hurry, let's go!” And he ushers everyone to the door. “Go through, go in.” Alexei and Yumiko, and Corban and Tyler walk out of the store and into the back.
In the back are just five shooting stalls but a long range, perhaps a hundred meters, it must stretch the whole block. The owner pushes a button on the wall and extractor fans slowly beat into life, then he just stands against the back wall and lights up a cigarette and looks at everyone. It seems he's just going to watch. The older man begins talking and handing out ear plugs and protectors.
“Right, you are Stalkers, I am Genly. I been to the Zone three times and I never fired my gun, but I wanted to every time. If you guys are beginner, let's just work on shotgun and pistol. First, shotgun.” The owner had already unlocked a cabinet and hands him a shotgun, then proceeds to get out three more.
The training session takes forty five minutes in total, with everyone hitting targets and reloading the weapons several times. Yumiko takes a few shots and seems to be a natural. You practiced with a pump action shotgun and a semi-automatic pistol.
Alexei gets Gun-training Advantage.
Corban gets Gun-training Advantage.
Tyler gets Gun-training Advantage.
The Gun-training Advantage increases the RP score in any encounter in which that character uses a shotgun or pistol. Other types of weapon may get an advantage depending on the context.
“Hey you guys didn't kill each other! What do you think, chief?” The owner grunts and doesn't stop smoking. The old man ignores him and continues, "Well you sir," pointing to Alexei, "already bought guns. Good man. How about you two? What he bought, the, er, shotgun is a good idea. You can't miss close, and you can't cause trouble far! Ehehehe."
The time is now 22:05
Sapporo has a more lively night life than most other cities since the citizens do not wish to conduct so much of their business by daylight, but shops will begin to close at 22:30. Some will be open till much later.
Spoiler: Saito's Gun Club (click to show/hide)
Post by: USEC_OFFICER on August 05, 2013, 01:10:32 pm
Marcus listlessly browses the shelves in the store. Finally he decides to buy:
Sleeping Bag, Winter Clothes, Hiking Boots, Electric Torch, Water Bottle x2, Backpack (with frame), Mess Kit, Painkillers (20 pills), Bandage x6, Disinfectant x4, Can Opener, Space Blanket, Beef Jerky x5, Canned Food x6.
He also looks around for some batteries (for the flashlight) and some extra fuel for the portable stove.
Err, did I miss something or did you miss my action?
Post by: LordBucket on August 05, 2013, 03:25:51 pm
Before leaving
Pull Yumiko aside and ask if she would be able to take me to a place we might find some homeless people. People without much to lose and willing to take a risk. People to whom the chance to soak in a tub, stay in a nice warm bed and eat hot meals would be an improvement in their quality of life.
If she
Ideally, I'm looking for a tent city or people sleeping in cardboard boxes in the subway mouth. Failing that, at least an internet cafe so we can find some net cafe refugees (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net_cafe_refugee).
Also...inquire about the street legality of the weapons we're purchasing. Since we're walking into a visible storefront and purchasing firearms and walking out with them with no waiting period, no background check, no permits and without having even been asked for ID, I'm inclined to guess that legality is going to be handwaved as far as game mechanics go.
A precedent is being set by what's going on here, and I don't want to (very reasonably) conclude from what we're seeing here that if we get stopped by police we can openly show them our weapons without concern...and then have it turn out that no, everything we're doing is totally illegal and this shop will be shut down the moment anyone notices it, and we just didn't know so too bad for us.
Quote
shops will begin to close at 22:30
The above conversations should only take a minute or two, but note that I'd like to get to the Bushido Batou before it closes.
Post by: hector13 on August 05, 2013, 06:51:54 pm
“Hey you guys didn't kill each other! What do you think, chief?” The owner grunts and doesn't stop smoking. The old man ignores him and continues, "Well you sir," pointing to Alexei, "already bought guns. Good man. How about you two? What he bought, the, er, shotgun is a good idea. You can't miss close, and you can't cause trouble far! Ehehehe."
The time is now 22:05
Sapporo has a more lively night life than most other cities since the citizens do not wish to conduct so much of their business by daylight, but shops will begin to close at 22:30. Some will be open till much later.Spoiler: Saito's Gun Club (click to show/hide)
Okay, I'll have a shotgun and some rounds then, though I'd also like a pistol, a few reloads and a holster too. Just in case. And a gas mask, also. Please. Could you deliver it to my hotel too please? I don't think many places would appreciate me walking in with a bag full of guns at this time of night! He chuckles.
Buy Sawed-Off shottie ($250)
Pistol ($400)
Shotgun Rounds (10) ($30)
4x Pistol Clips (4x$30=$120)
Holster ($100)
Gas Mask ($150) Total: $1050 plus whatever delivery fee is (if they do it)
Leave quickly, jog to the drug store.
Post by: Zako on August 05, 2013, 10:22:54 pm
Post by: hermes on August 05, 2013, 10:35:47 pm
Post by: Zako on August 06, 2013, 12:22:00 am
I hope I have enough time to go practice on the shooting range...))
Post by: USEC_OFFICER on August 06, 2013, 09:14:54 am
Easy guys! I'm going through all turns in the order they're posted, and lumped Corban and Tyler in with Alexei because they all decided to go to the same place. I don't have nearly as much time to update turns as I'd like, but will try to do something for Doc and Kasumi today at break time. :)
That's fine. It was just a bit weird when you didn't acknowledge my action, so I'd thought I'd ask.
Post by: hermes on August 06, 2013, 09:52:42 am
Kasumi thinks over the offer carefully for a few moments before replying.
"Sounds reasonable enough. Any specific mutants you want eyes from?"
The fat man sits backs and thinks for a moment. "Hmm. The other Stalkers never asked that question. That might be why they failed, you think? Let's say... any mammalian mutant. But the eyes have to fit, do you want to measure?" And he leans forward with one thumb and forefinger guaging the inside diameter of a socket like calipers.
Quote
"Oh, I'm getting some gear to head in, so if you can provide a bit of a down payment to help with that, it will make things easier for the both of us. Something that can help detect artefacts and anomalies would be fantastic though. What do you recommend on that front?"
"A down payment, eh? Hmmm..." he sits back again and taps his chin. "Way I see it, you're going in anyway, else you wouldn't be here. So I don't need to give you any downpayment 'cos this here is a side order to the real reason you're entering the Zone. But... I do want you to succeed. That counter in your hands? That's the best thing you can ask for for detecting the nonsense of the Zone outside of Institute tech or a full blown particle accelerator. Take it. No charge. Just bring back those eyes, right?" And he smiles. Even if he weren't reading dirty comics it would be deemed a creepy smile, with his fat babyface and blind lopsided toothiness to the grin. With the comics, Kasumi feels like she needs a shower.
Quote
Accept the job and ask for info.
"Wonderful! Make the eyes good! And live!"
Kasumi time is now 21:55.
Post by: hermes on August 06, 2013, 10:15:22 am
Marcus listlessly browses the shelves in the store. Finally he decides to buy:
Sleeping Bag, Winter Clothes, Hiking Boots, Electric Torch, Water Bottle x2, Backpack (with frame), Mess Kit, Painkillers (20 pills), Bandage x6, Disinfectant x4, Can Opener, Space Blanket, Beef Jerky x5, Canned Food x6.
He also looks around for some batteries (for the flashlight) and some extra fuel for the portable stove.
After wandering around the store for a while and thinking about the journey carefully, Marcus arrives back at the checkout near the entrance and looks around. He cannot see any of his fellow teammates, but a security guard by the door is eyeballing his every move. Feeling like a criminal already Marcus carefully, with hands away from pockets, wheels the cart to the counter and pays for the goods.
Total cost: $1500 + $25 for batteries and extra fuel = $1525.
When he walks out the store, the guard goes out first and when the automatic doors close behind Marcus, the guard finally says, "Arigatougozaimaaasu!" and bows, a bit too much. Probably by way of an apology.
Marcus is pretty chilly outside, and carrying a couple of heavy bags. The time is 21:25. ((Marcus has a bit more time than everyone else since he really just wandered around the store.))
Quote
Marcus already has most of what he wants, but he's planning on buying some more bandages/disinfectants/gloves/masks for everyone else. He's also going to be looking for some scalpels, aesthetics, needle and thread just in case. He won't be able to perform open-heart surgery with the equipment, but at least he'll be able to close some of the nastier wounds.
Hermes: Does Marcus's inventory look okay? I can't think of anything else he might have on him for a trip of Beijing.
Quote
Unless I'm mistaken I should have $500 left over. That should be enough for whatever medical equipment I need, right?
((What Marcus has in his medical bag is very limited, like you say he'll need to do some more shopping do deal with amputations, penetrating wounds and the like. Marcus'll have to go to the store to check the prices! If he can't buy everything, I'm sure he can improvise. What Marcus has otherwise looks fine.))
Post by: Zako on August 06, 2013, 10:30:48 am
Get his measurements and buy some spare batteries for my light and detector. Then head to the gunshop and check things out, specifically keeping an eye open for good knives, helmets and extra gasmask filters. Ask if I can take a lesson in using guns too.
Post by: hermes on August 10, 2013, 08:51:16 am
Before leaving
Pull Yumiko aside and ask if she would be able to take me to a place we might find some homeless people. People without much to lose and willing to take a risk. People to whom the chance to soak in a tub, stay in a nice warm bed and eat hot meals would be an improvement in their quality of life.
If shepretends not to knowindignantly informs me that enlightened nations like Japan don't have such problems, then ask Genly. He instantly identified us s stalkers. He seems like the "say it like it is" type.
Ideally, I'm looking for a tent city or people sleeping in cardboard boxes in the subway mouth. Failing that, at least an internet cafe so we can find some net cafe refugees (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net_cafe_refugee).
"Homeless people? Yeah, there are lots of street people living in Sapporo. I just don't understand, what do you want to talk to them about? They're just dirty and very smelly! You want to go to Bushido Batou too? Well the best place for street people is the University grounds. They have lots of shelter, people can't see them and the university is too poor to hire guards. It's right next to the weapons store. But if I take you, you have to promise to protect me. They aren't the only ones who go there at night. Do you want to go there?"
Quote
Also...inquire about the street legality of the weapons we're purchasing. Since we're walking into a visible storefront and purchasing firearms and walking out with them with no waiting period, no background check, no permits and without having even been asked for ID, I'm inclined to guess that legality is going to be handwaved as far as game mechanics go.
"Legal?" The owner pipes up. "Of course this isn't legal. But who enforces the law around here? It isn't the police. Don't shoot nobody and you got no problem."
Quote
The above conversations should only take a minute or two, but note that I'd like to get to the Bushido Batou before it closes.
((No problem. Everyone will have enough time for one more shop.))
((I need to update everyone's char sheets with weapons.. haven't forgotten, will do sometime.))
Post by: hermes on August 10, 2013, 09:29:49 am
Okay, I'll have a shotgun and some rounds then, though I'd also like a pistol, a few reloads and a holster too. Just in case. And a gas mask, also. Please.
Buy Sawed-Off shottie ($250)
Pistol ($400)
Shotgun Rounds (10) ($30)
4x Pistol Clips (4x$30=$120)
Holster ($100)
Gas Mask ($150) Total: $1050 plus whatever delivery fee is (if they do it)
The owner, without leaving the caged counter section of the shop, pulls everything out of cupboards and drawers and puts the items in a cheap black nylon zipper shoulder bag. "$1050." He opens up a service window and slides the bag through. Corban puts the cash in the window and slides the bag out a bit. Then asks,
Quote
"Could you deliver it to my hotel too please? I don't think many places would appreciate me walking in with a bag full of guns at this time of night!" He chuckles.
The owner looks at Corban sternly. "We don't deliver. Take the bag." He continues to eye Corban as the Scot picks up the bag and walks to the door.
Quote
Leave quickly, jog to the drug store.
That last exchange felt awkward, and time is pressing, so Corban puts his legs into a brisk but careful jog to the drug store. He remembers the owner's comment about the police and is glad that it seems that no-one will be stopping the guy running through the city carrying a big bag full of guns. Well, he hopes.
Kusanagi's drug store is not so far, just a few blocks, but in the cold and carrying all the weaponry, Corban arrives puffed out. There are still many people wandering on the streets, parties of drinkers coming out of bars drunk, club hosts trying to get them back in, and many who seem aimless and unconcerned with their place in life or where they are headed this night. The lights are still on in the shop but he can't see into the bright store for all the advertisements and notices of special offers plastered over the windows. He steps in and a speaker goes ping-pong. It's not big, there are a few aisles of goods stretching back just twelve meters or so from the door. On the right side, just inside, is the counter where a beautiful woman is standing and says, "Irrashaimase!" She has black hair tinted purple and tied back and wears smart glasses and a white lab coat. On her namebadge Corban reads in Japanese, "Makoto". There are several people in the store walking around with baskets.
Spoiler: Kusanagi's Drug Store (click to show/hide)
Post by: hector13 on August 10, 2013, 09:53:37 am
Figure out where cameras are and what they're covering, and figure out which customers will give him the least trouble should they see him do his thing.
Post by: hermes on August 10, 2013, 09:58:09 am
"Right. I'll just take those measurements now then and see what luck I have finding eyes around that size. Just warning you, I might not be able to find the exact size you want, but I'll try to get close to it." Kasumi says as she promptly makes a few measurements for the creepy man, not wanting to stick around him longer than needed.
Get his measurements and buy some spare batteries for my light and detector. Then head to the gunshop and check things out, specifically keeping an eye open for good knives, helmets and extra gasmask filters. Ask if I can take a lesson in using guns too.
Kasumi asks the man for a measure and he pulls one from a desk drawer on his right. She holds it up to each socket in turn, measuring the vertical and horizontal dimensions. He leans his head forward and keeps still while Kasumi measures. The shop is quiet and Kasumi can only hear his breathing, which is slow and calm. This is definitely creepy. Once she has handed back the measure and bought the batteries, she puts the goods she got in her bag and leaves for the gunshop.
Batteries x2 $20
Kasumi arrives at 22:25. The place is dark and there are no people on the street. She walks in the front door. The owner, who is still behind the counter looks up from something at his desk. There is noone else in the store. The man with the eyepatch looks at Kasumi and says in Japanese, "Are you on the team that came through here just now, oneesan? You want to practice too? I'm surprised, thought you could shoot already. Let's go." He motions for her to go through the back door.
He teaches her with pistol and shotgun just like the others, but goes into more detail on stance and target acquisition, firing at multiple targets in turn. Kasumi gains Advanced Gun-Training Advantage. ((Same as before, but gains bonus when moving and when there are multiple hostiles.))
"You want a good knife? Regular combat knife $300." He draws a knife out from behind himself, "American duelling knife, $1000." He looks at the blade as he turns it in the light in front of Kasumi. Like a light that pulls moths from the inky darkness, it seems she brings out something in people.
Prices as before.
Combat helmet $500
Don't worry about gas mask filters, a mask will be fine for the duration of the game.
Post by: Zako on August 10, 2013, 10:28:36 am
She looks over the knife the man holds, nodding in appreciation.
"A fine knife, but I am afraid that I am on a tight budget at this moment in time. Perhaps when I have more money and time on my hands? In any case, I'll just take these."
Buy the following:
Double barrelled shotgun
30 shells
Combat knife
Gas Mask
Entrenching tool
Safety Goggles
Thank the man for his business and head to the drug store, pronto. Once I'm there, look for a tough, water tight container and preserving fluid to hold the eyes safely, as well as a small ruler for measuring them.
Post by: DaveTheGrave on August 10, 2013, 12:57:02 pm
Post by: USEC_OFFICER on August 10, 2013, 12:59:35 pm
Post by: LordBucket on August 10, 2013, 08:08:29 pm
Quote
It's right next to the weapons store. But if I take you, you have to promise to protect me.
They aren't the only ones who go there at night. Do you want to go there?"
Look at her with an amused smile
"I'm pretty sure I've seen enough anime to know how this goes."
Clear my throat, then put one hand on my bicep and flex it, then strike a comically ridiculous sentai pose and shout loudly enough for everyone in the store to hear and look at her:
"Zettai Ni Mamoru!"
"That's what I'm supposed to say, right?" Stick my tongue out at her playfully.
Proceed to Bushido Battou
University will have to come after that. Apparently we're on a tight schedule.
Quote
protect me. They aren't the only ones who go there at night.
Lengthy, but hilarious true story about Japan:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Quote
He remembers the owner's comment about the police and is glad that it seems that no-one
will be stopping the guy running through the city carrying a big bag full of guns.
Relevent anecdote
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: hermes on August 13, 2013, 09:17:53 am
Marcus slogs back to the hotel to drop off his items, dresses into something warmer, and then walks over to Kusanagi's Drug Store.
Tyler follows behind corban to the store. Then wanders around and talks to people in the store.
Figure out where cameras are and what they're covering, and figure out which customers will give him the least trouble should they see him do his thing.
Quote
Thank the man for his business and head to the drug store, pronto. Once I'm there, look for a tough, water tight container and preserving fluid to hold the eyes safely, as well as a small ruler for measuring them.
Walking around casual like, when the check-out lady is helping a customer, Corban snatches glances at the ceilings, corners, and other cutomers. He sees one camera behind the counter and one on the opposite, far corner of the store. Between them, they cover most of the store and certainly get everyone's faces, but they don't move and there are blind spots in some aisles.
Corban notices Marcus in the store, already there and browsing when he arrived, and Tyler walks in behind him. Then Kasumi too. They four nod conspiratorially. The number of kleptomaniacs in the Stalker team is remarkably high, so they know how to support and cover for each other.
Tyler also sees Corban and Marcus and Kasumi, but decides to try talking to an elderly lady looking at shampoos.
"Hey old lady." She looks up at the young man and stares in incomprehension. She is bent over and has a dark wrinkled face. Then something clicks, "Ahh, hello! Ufufu!" Tyler and the lady talk about nothing at all, for he speaks in English and she in Japanese, and yet they seem delighted to be conversing like they haven't seen each other for years. Or indeed, ever before.
Makoto says goodbye to another customer and looks around her store. Of the remaining few customers she notes that three of them seem to be foreigners. A little odd, but foreign tourists are always a little strange, asking for medicines or salves she has no idea what they want. But they seem friendly, like the one talking to Mrs. Sasaki, and she never had any trouble before. She picks up a basket from behind the counter filled with hair tonic and goes to refill a shelf near the checkout.
Kasumi finds the following items in the store:
A small, plastic, watertight lunchbox $5
Some anti-septic fluid that might pass for embalming fluid $5
A plastic tape measure (2m) $5
Spoiler: Kusanagi's Drug Store (click to show/hide)
Post by: DaveTheGrave on August 13, 2013, 11:17:20 am
Post by: Zako on August 13, 2013, 11:34:26 am
Look for something that can help remove eyeballs in the drug store, and if it's something more suitable than a spoon then buy it, and also buy the box, anti-septic fluid and tape measure and then leave. On the way back to the hotel, see if I can buy a simple crowbar for cheap, and once I'm back, if there was nothing suitable for removing eyes in the drug store then steal 4 strong metal spoons from the hotel cutlery. Then put all my stuff in my room, pack my backpack with the big stuff and then go to sleep after setting my alarm for the morning.
Post by: hector13 on August 13, 2013, 06:21:00 pm
Once he's figured out the blindspots, enters the aisle furthest from Makoto with the biggest one and, after making sure that no camera can see him, picks up something from the top shelf and fumbles it onto the floor. When he bends down to pick it up, make sure no-one is looking and slip something small into his pocket from the bottom shelf, using the skills he learned as a thief earlier in life. Replace what he dropped back onto the top shelf. Before leaving, picks up some beef jerky and some sedatives, and goes to pay for them.
Steal stuff, pay for stuff ($25). Smile at and thank Makoto. Leave quickly. Head back to the hotel.
((OOC: quite happy with a random something here, I'm stealing because I'm worried you might do something terrible to me if I don't :P))
Edit for character history nod.
Post by: LordBucket on August 21, 2013, 09:42:26 pm
Post by: hermes on August 23, 2013, 08:44:28 am
Post by: hector13 on October 07, 2013, 05:18:25 am
Post by: Dwarmin on October 07, 2013, 06:20:32 am
Perhaps Oblivion-esque necromancy, but presumably we dead?
...so I guess you're not accepting new players...
Post by: hermes on October 07, 2013, 10:33:52 am
I really don't care for sharing personal stuff on forums, but my baby went from barely moving to being a mobile terror unit in the past couple of months and I have been busy and distracted to no end.
Also, I did not foresee my erratic focus going onto other stuff, which it kind of did.
You know, I actually feel like I might be able to get back into the swing of this. Let's see if people continue to play. If they don't, that's totally cool.
Perhaps Oblivion-esque necromancy, but presumably we dead?...so I guess you're not accepting new players...
I think the Cook position is still open. Or Muscle. If someone doesn't come back you could take their char. PM me if you're interested, Dwarmin.
I never get into magic in TES, so this necromancy might not work....
Post by: USEC_OFFICER on October 07, 2013, 11:01:03 am
Post by: hermes on October 07, 2013, 01:02:12 pm
QuoteIt's right next to the weapons store. But if I take you, you have to promise to protect me.
They aren't the only ones who go there at night. Do you want to go there?"
Look at her with an amused smile
"I'm pretty sure I've seen enough anime to know how this goes."
Clear my throat, then put one hand on my bicep and flex it, then strike a comically ridiculous sentai pose and shout loudly enough for everyone in the store to hear and look at her:
"Zettai Ni Mamoru!"
"That's what I'm supposed to say, right?" Stick my tongue out at her playfully.
The men at the counter look over at Alexei, look at Yumiko, back at Alexei, and seem to reach a silent agreement that what the foreigner just did was rather understandable and not altogether uncool (Alexei has a certain innate style) because they go back to their quiet personal talk without further ado.
Yumiko clasps her hands together and smiles, delighted. Even if Alexei were a 90lb bespectacled stripling, all Japanese girls know they're meant to behave cute. Though with a woman such as this, why she would choose to is probably the more pertinent line of thought from here. One suspects that Kasumi would react with more disdain or hostility. "My very own Russian Ranger! OK, let's go and you can show me you can do."
Quote
Proceed to Bushido Battou
University will have to come after that. Apparently we're on a tight schedule.
Alexei and Yumiko walk out from the gun store with the guns in a bag slung over Alexei's shoulder. They leave giving thanks and receive a curt but not unfriendly reply from the owner. They walk under the overpass and straight across the city center towards the park, and turn right walking along its edge towards the other weapons store.
On the edges of the park are streetwalkers, pimps, hobos and variety of unorthodox peoples. A transvestite prostitute, middle aged and wearing garish clothes with a pink boa, perhaps for warmth, apparently unphased or uncaring of Yumiko's presence, begins to walk alongside Alexei, speaking slowly with an affected falsetto. "I can... keep you warm tonight. Interested young man?" ((Reaction point here))
At Bushido Batou, the situation looks much more relaxed than Saito's, but then again the owner, perhaps Batou, seems passed out at the counter. There are several beer cans on the counter next to his large frame. He is wearing a military camo jacket and seems to have sunglasses under his face being crushed on the desk. The top of his head is bald and shiny and pointing towards the door. He is snoring soundly.
On the sides of the small, warm shop are lots of weapons of varying quality, some look new and well made, others old and well used. The tinkle from the bell above the door dies out quickly, and after a few seconds Batou heaves himself up and takes off his glasses. His small eyes half open and he says in Japanese, "Oi. Get out, we're closed. I'm sleeping here." He stares. He considers. "You want to but something," he states. "Quickly. Buy something."
Spoiler: Bushido Batou (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Off Topic (click to show/hide)
Post by: hermes on October 07, 2013, 01:06:12 pm
The good doctor is still here to keep playing if things are starting up again.
Cool! I'll get round to other actions tomorrow I hope.
Post by: hector13 on October 07, 2013, 06:07:02 pm
Glad you're willing to give it another shot, though.
TES is worth a look-see too. Though it does have that "it hasn't been 6 hours already!?" effects sometimes.
Post by: LordBucket on October 08, 2013, 01:10:09 am
I might be able to get back into the swing of this. Let's see if people continue to play.
I'm still here. Welcome back. :)
Alexei
Quote
A transvestite prostitute, middle aged and wearing garish clothes with a pink boa, perhaps for warmth, apparently unphased or uncaring of Yumiko's presence, begins to walk alongside Alexei, speaking slowly with an affected falsetto. "I can... keep you warm tonight.
The correct reaction, I believe, is to ignore her and keep walking. However, having already established myself as a crazy foreigner I think I can get away with this: pretend to misunderstand. Pretend to be completely oblivious as to what she really means, just say "oh, of course." Hand her a thousand yen note and keep walking. Resume my conversation with Kimiko as if nothing happened.
Quote
Yumiko clasps her hands together and smiles, delighted. Even if Alexei were a 90lb bespectacled stripling, all Japanese girls know they're meant to behave cute. Though with a woman such as this, why she would choose to is probably the more pertinent line of thought from here. One suspects that Kasumi would react with more disdain or hostility.
I can think of a couple reasons, but yes, my intention was that she be embarrassed.
I'll keep my interpretation of her response to myself for now.
Quote
"You want to buy something,"
"Yes, we'll be fast. I know what I want, no need to browse."
Buy:
* 2 black karate belts
* 4 bokken (curved, with hilt, katana-length)
* 2 brass knuckles
* 6 sageo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_sword_mountings) cords
Use two sageo to create a pair of mounting loops on each side of my backpack. Sheathe the bokken through the loops, two on each side with hilts extending above my shoulders so I can draw with both hands simultaneously. Thread a karate belt through the holsters I bought for my pistol and combat knife, and put it on over the top of my trenchcoat. Pistol on right hip, knife on left. Then toss the extra belt, and four sageo in my bag, and the brass knuckles in a coat pocket. Thank the proprietor then let him get back to sleep.
Hermes:
Just checked my character sheet and look like it hasn't been updated in about 3-4 thread pages. I'll do that once we know the game is continuing for sure. Also, two months ago we talked about eliminating the multiple currencies thing I have going on and converting everything to dollars for simplicity. Do you still want to do that? I notice that nobody else is using yen, not even npcs.
Also...now that we're resuming, I'd suggest sending PMs to players. It's been a while since this was active and it might get missed.
Post by: hermes on October 09, 2013, 11:50:47 am
Hermes:
Just checked my character sheet and look like it hasn't been updated in about 3-4 thread pages. I'll do that once we know the game is continuing for sure. Also, two months ago we talked about eliminating the multiple currencies thing I have going on and converting everything to dollars for simplicity. Do you still want to do that? I notice that nobody else is using yen, not even npcs.
Also...now that we're resuming, I'd suggest sending PMs to players. It's been a while since this was active and it might get missed.
I will update all character sheets right before leaving the city for the Zone, but it would be a great help if anyone wants to do that them themselves. On currencies, it's half convenience and half roleplay to be using USD (Japan being moreso under the US sphere of influence in this reality). It would be a bit awkward to throw Yen in at random, so I don't mind now - you can use Yen and USD freely and NPCs will accommodate.
I probably should PM peeps just to notify...
Oh, and USEC, nice to have you back! I think you need to submit a drug-store action for Marcus?
Post by: hermes on October 09, 2013, 01:21:30 pm
Stop talking to boring lady, look for blindspots in a different part of the store. Locate security, cameras, and tags/magnet strips on items.
Tyler's eyes are darting around the shop whilst Mrs. Sasaki talks at him in Japanese and touches his arm to affirm his reality. He looks back at her and sees faint cataracts in her eyes. He says, "Well, see ya old lady." and turns and walks. She mumbles something and goes back to the shelf she's standing at but is confused and doesn't seem to remember what she intended to buy.
Tyler sees a couple of cameras, a few blindspots in aisles in the middle of the store and magnetic strips only on the most expensive of products, like hair renewal tonics.
Look for something that can help remove eyeballs in the drug store, and if it's something more suitable than a spoon then buy it, and also buy the box, anti-septic fluid and tape measure and then leave. On the way back to the hotel, see if I can buy a simple crowbar for cheap, and once I'm back, if there was nothing suitable for removing eyes in the drug store then steal 4 strong metal spoons from the hotel cutlery. Then put all my stuff in my room, pack my backpack with the big stuff and then go to sleep after setting my alarm for the morning.
Kasumi peruses the wares, and finds a nice pack of loose razorblades. But they are straight and a spoon is curved (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhfuuKiTcYQ), so she makes a mental note to steal spoons later, just in case, and she buys the other things. Total cost is $20.
On her walk back to the hotel she doesn't pass any crowbar shops or things like that, but walking through an underpass next to the station she passes an old blind man with a sturdy looking cane, possibly made from metal alloy, it looks light and supports his decrepit weight easily enough. ((Reaction point here))
Back at the Sapporo Aspen Hotel there is now single big guy in a suit behind the desk, leaning back in his chair and, from the sounds of it, watching porn on a screen below the desk. The time is around 11pm now and it seems the hotel really doesn't want any guests. He looks up as Kasumi shakes off some of the snow but otherwise doesn't acknowledge her. She walks up to the second floor and into the dining hall where the meeting was. There's nobody about, so she walks over to a side table with cutlery and crockery and pockets four stainless steel desert spoons.
Kasumi takes the elevator to the sixth floor and goes to her room, 605. She never sees anyone else and there is no activity coming from any of the rooms, either the whole hotel has been cleared out just for them, or business is awful. She packs and sets the alarm and goes to sleep.
((I'm so happy someone finished shopping :D I'll make sure your char sheet is ready before the next stage))
Corban
Once he's figured out the blindspots, enters the aisle furthest from Makoto with the biggest one and, after making sure that no camera can see him, picks up something from the top shelf and fumbles it onto the floor. When he bends down to pick it up, make sure no-one is looking and slip something small into his pocket from the bottom shelf, using the skills he learned as a thief earlier in life. Replace what he dropped back onto the top shelf. Before leaving, picks up some beef jerky and some sedatives, and goes to pay for them.
Steal stuff, pay for stuff ($25). Smile at and thank Makoto. Leave quickly. Head back to the hotel.
Corban successfully pulls off his little charade, buys his things and leaves the store. He walks down the street towards the station and then looks back towards the store. The beautiful lady from behind the counter has walked out onto the street in just her uniform and is looking around at the people on the street. Even from a distance, Corban can see in her face and body language that she looks panicked, surprised that the nice man she just served had betrayed her trust. Somehow she seems to have caught on that something was stolen, albeit too late. Corban pulls the item out of his pocket and inspects it... hmm. Athlete's foot medication (http://www.e-matsukiyo.com/shop/g/g4987316031071/). Could come in handy. There is a mess of Japanese characters he can't make out on the box, but he does recognise that one of its functions is antibacterial. The lady was only looking for a few moments, and now returns to the store. Corban also turns and walks calmly to the hotel.
Post by: Zako on October 09, 2013, 09:08:48 pm
Post by: LordBucket on October 10, 2013, 02:53:30 am
Kasumi thinks about it for a few seconds, shrugs, and let's the old man keep his cane. It's not as good as a proper crowbar anyway.
When I read bout the blind man with the sturdry metal cane, this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_plYAXXoUs#t=0m54s) was the first thing that came to mind.
Post by: hector13 on October 10, 2013, 03:54:45 am
Smiles to himself as he heads back to the hotel. The shopkeeper caught on quick, but not quick enough.
"Maybe next time, lady" he whispers to himself, slipping the cream into the bag with his weapons.
Walk quickly back to the hotel, trying to keep stock of his surroundings can't be too careful, after all.
Upon reaching the hotel, returns to his room via the stairs, takes a quick shower. Props a chair up against his room door, sets an alarm for 5.30 and sleeps with the pistol under his pillow, taking extra care to make sure the safety is on.
Editted so you know whose action it is.
Post by: USEC_OFFICER on October 10, 2013, 07:11:17 am
Post by: hermes on November 04, 2013, 06:24:01 am
The correct reaction, I believe, is to ignore her and keep walking. However, having already established myself as a crazy foreigner I think I can get away with this: pretend to misunderstand. Pretend to be completely oblivious as to what she really means, just say "oh, of course." Hand her a thousand yen note and keep walking. Resume my conversation with Kimiko as if nothing happened.
The man-woman snatches the money indignantly and curses Alexei sharply whilst quickly nestling the note away in his clothes. She walks back down the street.
Quote
"You want to buy something,"
"Yes, we'll be fast. I know what I want, no need to browse."
Buy:
* 2 black karate belts $20 for the pair
* 4 bokken (curved, with hilt, katana-length) $50 each
* 2 brass knuckles $40 for the pair
* 6 sageo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_sword_mountings) cords $30 each ty for link
Use two sageo to create a pair of mounting loops on each side of my backpack. Sheathe the bokken through the loops, two on each side with hilts extending above my shoulders so I can draw with both hands simultaneously. Thread a karate belt through the holsters I bought for my pistol and combat knife, and put it on over the top of my trenchcoat. Pistol on right hip, knife on left. Then toss the extra belt, and four sageo in my bag, and the brass knuckles in a coat pocket. Thank the proprietor then let him get back to sleep.
Total shopping cost is $440
Mr. Batou and Yumiko look on as Alexei skillfully ropes and belts up and when finished, stands tall and weaponized and extremely dangerous looking. As dangerous as any human could possibly look, without an automatic weapon. The owner raises one eyebrow when Alexei waves his thanks, and calls out,
"Oooi! Take this stuff," he tosses a small can at Alexei with a thick arm. "It'll bring ya good luck out there. Don't use it on yer hair though, pretty boy. Come drop by again if ya make it back alive." Alexei looks at the can, it says, "HOKKAIDO PURE NON-SYNTHETIC OIL". As Alexei and Yumiko leave, they can see him lighting up a cigarette and rocking on his chair, seemingly lost in thought.
Post by: hermes on November 04, 2013, 06:31:25 am
Kasumi thinks about it for a few seconds, shrugs, and let's the old man keep his cane. It's not as good as a proper crowbar anyway.
Kasumi thinks about it for a few seconds, shrugs, and let's the old man keep his cane. It's not as good as a proper crowbar anyway.
When I read bout the blind man with the sturdry metal cane, this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_plYAXXoUs#t=0m54s) was the first thing that came to mind.
In another reality, Kasumi tried to take the cane and was beaten to a pulp and, demoralised, spent the rest of her days waiting tables in Denny's where she had an uneventful yet content life.
Post by: hermes on November 04, 2013, 06:42:36 am
Smiles to himself as he heads back to the hotel. The shopkeeper caught on quick, but not quick enough.
"Maybe next time, lady" he whispers to himself, slipping the cream into the bag with his weapons.
Walk quickly back to the hotel, trying to keep stock of his surroundings can't be too careful, after all.
Corban is alert, but nonchalant as he walks along the cold, tired streets. Passing Sapporo station he sees a policeofficer, a young man, standing outside his policebox keeping an eye on travellers coming to and from the terminal. He pays an extra moments attention to the Scot with his black shoulder slung bag, but as Corban walks past the station the officer attends to other people.
Quote
Upon reaching the hotel, returns to his room via the stairs, takes a quick shower. Props a chair up against his room door, sets an alarm for 5.30 and sleeps with the pistol under his pillow, taking extra care to make sure the safety is on.
Corban allows himself to relax a little in the shower, and contemplates that the end of this day really felt like any other day, and he could easily be in a shower anywhere else in the world. But instead it is a prelude to tomorrow, when he will enter the Japan Zone. He hopes he has made the necessary preparations. Taking precautions against intruders, Corban feels safe..ish. He has been meticulous in considering eventualities, and this brings him a rational kind of emotional security, similar to a faith. He sleeps well.
edit - 2/5 home! I've gotta force myself to keep this going. Can't abandon this until everyone has met a grisly end.
Post by: hermes on November 04, 2013, 06:59:55 am
Marcus picks up the medic's kit, and looks it over it the hope that he'll figure out what's inside it.
Marcus picks up the box, it's plastic, the size of a briefcase with a molded handle. He finds a nice picture on the back that displays the contents. He reckons that with this kit he would be able to deal with almost any standard non-lethal injuries, and even stabilize more serious things like gunshots. Though hospital treatment would still be desired in such cases. Notably though, from a surgeon's perspective, it is glaringly lacking a scalpel and needle and thread and anaesthetic (he recalls he has antiseptics in his bag). Taking a quick walk through the store though, Marcus finds analogues for those items in razor blades and sewing kits and alcohol wash (probably drinkable). Not the best for him, and certainly not for the patient, but beggers can't be choosers, and incapacitated patients can't even beg so they certainly can't choose.
Post by: LordBucket on November 04, 2013, 12:22:32 pm
gotta force myself to keep this going. Can't abandon this until everyone has met a grisly end.
I don't mean to be a downer, but if you're having to "force yourself" to continue, maybe it would be better if we stopped now?
I would be happy to continue, but personally I've concluded twice now that the game was dead, and have been surprised to see turns updating again. I suspect that other players have thought the same. Games are supposed to be fun for participants, and you the GM are also a participant.
I like Alexei. I think I'd rather see the game abandoned and think of him as living happily ever after than to "force" the game to continue to a grisly end, as you put it, simply for the sake of a sense of completion.
Perhaps it would be better if we allowed the game to end gracefully rather than forcing ourselves to go on only to have an unhappy ending?
Post by: hermes on November 04, 2013, 06:55:39 pm
I agree with your assessment LB, so...
I'll call it a wrap here.
I totally made a mistake not starting with the action. Sorry about that, guys. I learnt a lot, and would love to try to improve but the medium is tricky. Live action is probably the best way to go. Thanks for participating, everyone!