Fall in the Mall 1987 - AFMBE OOC

[LarsWester]

In Character Thread (https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?660793-Fall-in-the-Mall-AFMBE-1987-Columbia-SC&p=25881094#post25881094)
This is a placeholder post that will eventually be a source for all game resources. I'd like everyone to copy and paste their character sheet in this thread and we will wait for everyone to do so before posting OOC in here. I'd like this thread to be this post and then everyone's character sheet. To help facilitate this I've copied my table with links to your character sheets from the recruitment thread.
Game Encyclopedia
Locations
Host of the annual Fall in the Mall teen lock-in overnight event. The layout of Columbia Place mall is the same as shown on this map. (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZTLEroB4KXOVIWkVoDTweXoSeAtqzoLL/view?usp=sharing) The actual stores can be different and players can add to the stores directory within reason. When adding a store define it's general location as shown on the above map.
One of the local high schools that has students in attendance. This is the PC's high school.
One of the local high schools that has students in attendance. The rival high school to the PCs. Also the school of some trouble making JV football players.
One of the local middle schools (6th-8th grade) with students in attendance. Jessie is on the Dent's cheerleading squad with several of her friends.

People
Owner of the Mall's Babbage's. Running a SGI Dogfight tournament during the lock-in event. The winner of the tournament takes home a SGI workstation of their very own.
Principal of Richland Northeast High School and person in charge of this year's Fall in the Mall.
Embry's younger sister and a cheerleader at Dent Middle School.
One of Giselle's and Katy's pirate crew. Environmentally conscious 17yr old girl. Plays the tuba. Protests the tuna.
Oh Josh the token boy of the Pirate Crew. Dressed in all black like the Dread Pirate Roberts.
Part of the Pirate Crew and Vincent's crush. Wearing red bandana, white puffy shirt, brown leather skirt with plastic sword.
Columbia Police Department officer. She is one of the few females on the force and gets assigned to this damn event every year.

Giselle's cousin's Ex and supplier for smokes. He is at the Lock-in without an official invite. He snuck in through a side door and smuggled in some smokes. He lost a bet with some other older friends and was forced to "supply" the event. Giselle's Contact 1.
Aged 30-something; a naive, round-ish, bespectacled younger teacher at Giselle's school whom she managed to impress with her "skill" and general "gifted-ness" into thinking Giselle shows real great promise for a bright future. As a busibody, she is among the organizers and chaperones of Fall in the Mall. Giselle's Contact 2.

Events
This year Fall in the Mall takes places Friday October 30th and plans to host over 250 12-18 year old junior high and high school students. There will be free food and entertainment through the night. The mall closed for regular customers at 7:00PM and reopened for teens who received an invitation (those on honor roll or with a teacher's recommendation) at 8:45 with official festivities to start at 9:00PM. Fall in the Mall will officially end at 8:00 AM on Saturday. The mall reopens to general public at 9:00 AM.
Starting at 10:00 a series of PG or PG-13 scary movies will be shown in a make shift theater in the food court. A large projection screen is place out in the mall hallway and seating taking up the food court.
MOVIE SCHEDULE
Gremlins9:30-11:15
Little Shop of Horrors11:20-1:50
Something Wicked This Way Comes1:55-3:25[/tr]
[td]Swamp Thing3:30-5:00
Poltergiest5:05-7:05


An annual tradition where all empty pop cans from the event are used to build a giant structure at the North End of the mall. This is just an activity that keeps some of the more creative people involved throughout the night. Typically there's over 1000 empty cans of soda utilized in the building of some sort of art installation.
A new event this year is a multiplayer computer game experience. With Mr. Maxwell's SGI workstations linked together on a computer network up to 10 kids can compete at a time with the new multiplayer experience SGI Dogfight (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SGI_Dogfight). This event will be taking place outside Mr. Maxwell's Babbage's located in the corner of the A wing of the 2nd floor.

Character Summary Table
PlayerCharacter Name (Link)DescriptionStatus
rogue_alchemistJohn Wilson (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=25876553&postcount=14)Social Anxious Mall Security2nd Floor Currently being NPC'd
MetastachydiumGiselle Nasri (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=25876680&postcount=19)16 yr 2nd Gen GirlCovering Manny's Mistake
Kareeah_IndagaKatherine Hart (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=25876954&postcount=25)16yr old Flag GirlCovering Manny's Mistake
KinroVincent Vales (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=25877458&postcount=27)Heart-stricken Nerdy BoyCovering Manny's Mistake
BowerbirdEleanor Bailey (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=25878507&postcount=38)Student Council GirlInvestigating 2nd floor doors
[tr]BramblefootSilus Hush (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=25906352&postcount=112)Apoc Edgelord FreakInvestigating 2nd floor doors.[tr]

[rogue_alchemist]

Name
John Wilson


Character Type
Norm


Primary Attributes

Strength
4
Intelligence
2


Dexterity
3
Perception
2


Consitution
3
Willpower
2


Secondary Attributes

Life Points
47


Endurance Points
32


Speed
12 mph (6 yd/s)


Essence Pool
16






Qualities
Points
Drawbakcs
Points


Hard to Kill
3
Honorable
-2


Fast Reaction Time
2
Reckless
-2


Resources +1
1
Glossophobia
-2


Situational Awareness
2
Fear of Rejection
-1




Skiill
Level
Skill
Level


Acrobatics
4
Stealth
3


Martial Arts
4
Hand Weapon (knife)
2


Notice
3
Guns (Handgun)
3


Survival (Forest)
3 (+3)


John Wilson is muscular ex-military type, but has had to take up a job as mall security upon his return due to several problems in his personal life. He prefers to sit in the back and monitor the mall from the bank of computer screens recording everything, but of course management would prefer he is the face out front with his intimidating look. John's every bit as deadly as he looks, but he lacks a lot of social skills needed to interact with people effectively. He keeps his brown hair short still with deep light-brown eyes and chiseled face that add to his severe presence.
In reality, John is deeply bothered by public places. He does not want to handle a crowd and would probably freeze if he had to address more than a small group of people (4 at most). He knows he is well trained and able to handle himself, but because of his training, he is afraid of being too harsh or too rough on people and accidentally hurting them. This has led him to adopt strict codes of conduct and strong sense of situational awareness to keep from accidentally stepping on someone or otherwise hurting anyone inadvertently.
In his past life, he was field promoted to sergeant and became the defacto leader of his section after the NCO went down, but he had the skills to be front and center more than to lead, so he 'led' by example and only addressed small teams at a time, not the whole section. He didn't feel particularly inspiring to the men, but he got as many of them as he could back to rendezvous after a tactical strike. After this jarring and unpleasant experience he suffered PTSD of having responsibility of so many lives, only increasing his glossophobia. His fear of failing anyone else, ultimately led him to shutting out his girlfriend and now he works at the Mall, not really applying himself or allowing himself to get close to anyone and be responsible again.

[Metastachydium]

Character Data

Name: Giselle Nasri
Age: 16
Height: 5' 2" (158 cm)
Weight: 101 lb. (46 kg)

Type: Norm

Appearance: Giselle has a somewhat round-ish, soft face, with large, dark brown eyes, full lips and slightly thicker than usual eyebrows. She has an unruly, wavy head of nearly black hair, reaching down a couple inches below her shoulders. Her skin keeps a light tan all year round, courtesy of her Maghreb ancestors. She looks fitter than she really is, and more confident too.

Family History and Personality: Giselle is totally going to be 17 at some point in the not-so-distant future, coming from a family of low generation-count Old World immigrants (specifically, she's the granddaughter of a Harki who managed to jump ship from Africa in the early '60s and a Franco-Algerian woman) that is passably well-of for Cold War-related reasons that we don't talk about (and will probably never come up, but suffice it to say, her grandfather being, obviously and by profession, quite familiar with MENA irregular/asymmetrical warfare tactics likely helped). Her main strategy in life is trying to project an air of seriosity, despite getting easily bored with things and people alike, which (naturally) contributed to her becoming a jack of many trades, master of really not a one kind of person with many a pal, but few close friends.

Why She's Even Here: Giselle isn't overly enthusiastic about the event; in fact, she believes this general sphere of activity would likely tire her just as fast if it weren't an all-nighter – and she does like a good full night's sleep. It's good for the skin (or whatever). Still, if anyone of her age, Giselle Nasri does get the importance of networking and exposure. This is a way forward in the world, and shouldn't involve too much hard work – her kind of setup, really. She intends to put a winning little smile on and flit through it with as little effort invested as possible. All floating and warm currents, no swimming and splashing about. Trying too hard is not her thing anyhow. Nor is it terribly stylish.



Attributes (Primary)



Strength:
2


Dexterity:
2


Constitution:
2


Intelligence:
3


Perception:
4


Willpower:
1


Totalling: 14

Attributes (Secondary)



Life Points:
26


Endurance Points:
18


Speed:
8 mp/h or 4 yd/s


Essence Pool:
14





Qualities:

Drawbacks:



Acute Smell
+2
Acrophobia
-2


Attractiveness
+2
Addiction (habitual smoker)
-1


Charisma
+1
Cowardly
-1


Contacts
+1/+2
Impaired Touch
-2


Resources
+2
Lazy
-2


Situational Awareness
+2
Talentless
-2


Totalling:
+12
Totalling:
-10



Skills:


Acrobatics:
1


Computers:
2


Climbing:
1


Driving (car):
1


Electronics:
2


Escapism:
1


First Aid:
2


Haggling:
1


Humanities:
2


Intimidation:
2


Investigation:
2


Language (German):
1


Language (Spanish):
1


Mechanic:
1


Questioning:
2


Running (dash):
1


Sciences:
3


Smooth Talking:
3


Sport (tennis):
1


Surveillance:
2


Swimming:
1


Totalling: 33

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Name: Katherine Hart (Katy to her friends)
Age: 16
Character Type: Norm
Description:
Female, blonde, fair-skinned, blue eyes. A little over average height, slight build.

Dressed like a pirate for the lock-in: baggy, lightweight pants (black) and shirt (white), with a red sash around her waist and a red bandana holding in her hair, and wearing sturdy black boots. Has an eyepatch that she’s mostly wearing around her neck because it was interfereing with using the camera, which is mostly in one of her pockets when it isn’t in her hands. Brought her colorguard flag pole as part of her costume: it has a giant Jolly Roger flag on it.

Primary Attributes:

Strength: 2
Dexterity: 4
Constitution: 3
Intelligence: 2
Perception: 2 (Drawback boost)
Willpower: 2

Secondary Attributes:

Life Points: 30
Endurance Points: 26
Speed: 14 (14 mph, 7 yards/second)
Essence Pool: 27

Qualities: 8/8 (5 default +5 Drawback – 2 to raise Perception to 2 = 8)

Artistic Talent (Photography) (+3)
Resources (+1)
Fast Reaction Time (+2)
Acute Hearing (+2)


Drawbacks: (5)

Clown (-1)
Emotional Problems (Emotional Dependency) (-1)
Hemaphobia (-3)


Skills: 30/30

Driving (Car) (+1)
Hand Weapon (Staff) (+2)
Thrown (Axe) (+1)
Acrobatics (+2) (4 points – Special Skill)
Haggling (+2)
Sport (Colorguard) (+2)
Fine Arts (Photography) (+3)
First Aid (+2)
Questioning (+1)
Notice (+2)
Climbing (+2)
Humanities (+1)
Sciences (+2)
Writing (+2)
Swimming (+1)
Language (Spanish) (+2)



Katy moved to SC from the Midwest back in elementary school. Her homelife is stable but not extravagant, and most of her extras she bargains for with fellow students. She lives with both of her parents (though her father is frequently out of town on business), and has no living siblings. She recently turned 16 and has obtained her learner’s permit; her car is a hand-me-down from her father. She got the camera as a gift when one of her extended family noticed her interest in photography, and she’s made extensive use of it since, trading favors for film and taking pictures for return favors.

She has been in a scattering of other afterschool activities, usually whatever her friends are into at the time, but the most serious of these is marching band where she is a member of the Colorguard. As a result she is reasonably fit and, while she can’t play an instrument herself, she’s used to listening for audio cues to perform complex maneuvers with her flag pole or batons while moving in strange directions. While not stupid, she is on the honor roll mostly through hard work and study.

She gets nervous when left to her own devices and will usually latch on to somebody if her immediate social circle (mostly band members and a few members of the football team) is not around.

[Kinro]

Name
Vincent Vales


Character Type
Norm


Primary Attributes

Strength
2
Intelligence
4


Dexterity
3
Perception
3


Constitution
3
Willpower
2


Secondary Attributes

Life Points
33


Endurance Points
26


Speed
12 mph


Essence Pool
17






Qualities
Points
Drawbacks
Points


Photographic memory
2
Impaired Sight (Eyeglasses)
-1


Situational Awareness
2
Attractiveness
-1


Hard to Kill
1
Charisma
-1


Resistance (Pain)
1
Emotional Dependency
-1




Honorable
-1




Status
-1










Skill
Level
Skill
Level


Computer Hacking
3
Computers
3


Electronics
3
First Aid
1


Lockpicking (Electronic)
2
Lockpicking (Mechanical)
3


Mechanic
3
Notice
3


Research
4
Sleight of Hand
2


Swimming
1
Writing
2



Vincent is a social outcast, mostly. Not in a large way, but in a way that most people feel generally uncomfortable around him. He's vaguely homely and not particularly charismatic. The few people that do pay attention to him, he form what he believes to be strong friendships, but most people regard as mostly clingliness. His tendency towards strange, lonely hobbies certainly don't count in his favour either. But that doesn't mean that he doesn't have social ambitions, one of which is to at least talk to his long-time crush, Rebecca Carlson. He knows, or at least he thinks he knows, that she'll be at the Lock In and, so, he decided to go, too, in hopes of seeing her there. He doesn't care much for the event himself, being stuck together with a bunch of people he doesn't really know and don't care much about him doesn't seem like the most pleasant of time, even though it also seemed to be somewhat expected for those who made the honour roll to attend, something that he managed without much trouble. This was the first time he actually decided to go, though.

[Bowerbird]

I am alive, though I have been quite sick, my full sheet below:


Name: Eleanor Bailey
Type: Norm

Str: 2
Dex: 2
Con: 2
Int: 4
Per: 3
WP: 3

LP: 26
EP: 26
Spd: 8mph/12kph
EP: 28

Qualities:

Photographic Memory +2
Nerves of Steel +3
Artistic Talent (Fiction) +3

Drawbacks:

Impaired Sense (Sight, Glasses) -1
Honorable (1) -1
Fear of Commitment -1
Fear of Rejection -1
Resources (Poor) -3

Skills:
Bureaucracy: 3
Craft (Cook) 2
Craft (Seamstress) 2
First Aid: 2
Humanities: 3 (Literature +2)
Myth and Legend (Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fiction): 3
Notice: 2
Questioning: 1
Research: 3
Sciences: 2
Streetwise: 1
Writing: 3 (Creative +1)



Eleanor Bailey is a tall, owlish girl, her dark hair habitually in a ponytail, usually dressed in the nicest clothes she's found at the thrift store. Her single mother works nights to make ends meet, though her daughter's school fees take up a lot of the household's income. Eleanor's shabby clothes and bookish demeanour meant she saw a fair amount of bullying growing up, leading her to improve her sewing skills and spruce up her wardrobe a little. In High School, she's largely faded into the background, devoting herself wholeheartedly to studying, even making it onto the Student Council. Despite this, she's still not particularly popular with anyone, a few teachers maybe, and spends a lot of her free time hiding in the library pursuing her true passion: speculative fiction. She hopes to one day write books that people will enjoy reading. She jumped at the chance to help set up for the Fall in the Mall, using her craft skills to help make a lot of the spooky decorations, as well as her own costume. She's less excited about the event itself, though hopefully she can find somewhere quiet to go and reread Terry Pratchett's Equal Rites, which was the inspiration for her witch costume.

For reference: the costume is a nicely made, long black dress, black apron, old steel-toed boots, and a custom made witch's hat. A witch, but a very practical witch, in theme with her book.

Addendum: Eleanor's mother, Malorie Bailey, works nights as a cleaner at the city hospital. She was studying nursing once upon a time, but put her studies on hold after her husband left, as it was all she could do to save up for her daughter's school fees. She used to bring her daughter to work, to save money on babysitting, the staff were surprisingly accommodating since the girl was well behaved, would keep largely to herself, and sit in the corner reading quietly. Through a combination of proximity, morbid curiosity, and remarkably helpful nurses, Eleanor's picked up some proficiency in first aid, and a surprising tolerance for blood. Her lack of squeamishness, and busy mother both contributing to an appreciation for the gorier kind of horror movies. Although they still have to actually be well written.


Apologies for taking so long, hope everything's good.

[Metastachydium]

Would hope so! I realized I never addressed the "needs Contacts defined" bit, and didn't want to add questions before everything's up and running. Now… Can I still do that? Is that just dropping a few more NPCs of my making into the pool? Or would the friend circle people count as such?

If not, my current ideas are

–Francis "Manny" Mangold, aged 18, Giselle's maternal second cousin's ne'er-do-well ex. There's little actual love lost between him and G., but the two exist in a pragmatic mutualism: G.'s a smoker with stern parents and a whole wide world to convince she's a Model Young Lady; Manny's just a big buff guy even lazier than G., but without her financial means. She supplies the dollars, he supplies the smokes. I've already IC-dropped that he exists somewhere in the universe, but if he gets to be present at the lock-in, it's because he's also a gambling man, and he lost a bet. Ouch.

–Pauline Clapton-Clyde, aged 30-something; a naive, round-ish, bespectacled younger teacher at Giselle's school whom she managed to impress with her "skill" and general "gifted-ness" into thinking G. shows real great promise for a bright future. A busibody, she'd be among the organizers.

EDIT: ANyhow, in case anyone wondered, G. didn't overdo the costume thing. She almost came in a Jason Vorhees outfit (sans mask and blade) from the previous year's instalment of the franchise (really just a dark green shirt and a pair of loose light brown pants), but then Katy happened, so… She kept all of that, added the ear-feather, a pair of rope-soled sandals, a leather pouch with small change (and her own lighter), Grandpa Abe(, née Ibrahim Abderrahman En-Nasri)'s sturdy old military compass (both hanging from her belt) and some five shiny rings.

[LarsWester]

Would hope so! I realized I never addressed the "needs Contacts defined" bit, and didn't want to add questions before everything's up and running. Now… Can I still do that? Is that just dropping a few more NPCs of my making into the pool? Or would the friend circle people count as such?

If not, my current ideas are

–Francis "Manny" Mangold, aged 18, Giselle's maternal second cousin's ne'er-do-well ex. There's little actual love lost between him and G., but the two exist in a pragmatic mutualism: G.'s a smoker with stern parents and a whole wide world to convince she's a Model Young Lady; Manny's just a big buff guy even lazier than G., but without her financial means. She supplies the dollars, he supplies the smokes. I've already IC-dropped that he exists somewhere in the universe, but if he gets to be present at the lock-in, it's because he's also a gambling man, and he lost a bet. Ouch.

–Pauline Clapton-Clyde, aged 30-something; a naive, round-ish, bespectacled younger teacher at Giselle's school whom she managed to impress with her "skill" and general "gifted-ness" into thinking G. shows real great promise for a bright future. A busibody, she'd be among the organizers.

EDIT: ANyhow, in case anyone wondered, G. didn't overdo the costume thing. She almost came in a Jason Vorhees outfit (sans mask and blade) from the previous year's instalment of the franchise (really just a dark green shirt and a pair of loose light brown pants), but then Katy happened, so… She kept all of that, added the ear-feather, a pair of rope-soled sandals, a leather pouch with small change (and her own lighter), Grandpa Abe(, née Ibrahim Abderrahman En-Nasri)'s sturdy old military compass (both hanging from her belt) and some five shiny rings.

This all works. Let's call Manny the level 1 Contact and Ms. Clapton-Clyde the level 2 Contact. By the nature of these people being a Quality it means you can get something during the game from these contacts. And that they would be willing to undergo slight to moderate risk to protect or help you. Any player can add friends but those NPC friends (Betsy and Josh for example) wouldn't quite provide any material or mechanical advantage in game. Thoughts about having Manny be in the group of smokers breaking away?

[LarsWester]

I am alive, though I have been quite sick, my full sheet below:

Hope you get better soon. I think I got my wires crossed with who had the artistic talent photography and had Eleanor taking pictures from the second floor. So she has a camera now but the shots are not going to be anything fantastic. In generally I'm looking for a IC post about every 1-2 days.

[LarsWester]

So, we can use this thread for OOC stuff now?
Yes the OOC thread is open I may still post some OOC in a spoiler in the IC thread if I'm asking for a specific roll. Case in point my response to Embry and the wastoids. Yeah I'm trying to set up a bit of a conflict here. Working in Embry's backstory with the Jessie bit. Idea being it could be a fitting way to introduce the combat system in a low stakes way. I think there are a few players new to the system so I think seeing some combat played out, where there might be a few punches thrown before adults step in, would help get people familiar with the mechanics. A bit of a kerfuffle would also draw the attention of John the mall security and bring more of the PCs together.

[Bowerbird]

Hope you get better soon. I think I got my wires crossed with who had the artistic talent photography and had Eleanor taking pictures from the second floor. So she has a camera now but the shots are not going to be anything fantastic. In generally I'm looking for a IC post about every 1-2 days.

I thought that might have been the case, figured I'd roll with it anyway. It sounded like something that would be required by the student council. I should be fine again now, though if my post rate gets too low feel free to leave me for the horde :smalltongue:

[LarsWester]

I thought that might have been the case, figured I'd roll with it anyway. It sounded like something that would be required by the student council. I should be fine again now, though if my post rate gets too low feel free to leave me for the horde :smalltongue:
The horde-bait move would require a week's long absence with no prior communication. Generally only going to do it if I have the assumption the player abandoned the game.

[Metastachydium]

This all works. Let's call Manny the level 1 Contact and Ms. Clapton-Clyde the level 2 Contact. By the nature of these people being a Quality it means you can get something during the game from these contacts. And that they would be willing to undergo slight to moderate risk to protect or help you. Any player can add friends but those NPC friends (Betsy and Josh for example) wouldn't quite provide any material or mechanical advantage in game.

Cool and roger roger.


Thoughts about having Manny be in the group of smokers breaking away?

I pictured him as a big guy (not a combat beast, mind(, he smokes, he drinks, he eats junk…), but big) and G. would recognise him probably. Maybe the smokers are headed for him? He's something of an inside man, and could be a fixer for more kids than just G.


Yes the OOC thread is open I may still post some OOC in a spoiler in the IC thread if I'm asking for a specific roll. Case in point my response to Embry and the wastoids. Yeah I'm trying to set up a bit of a conflict here. Working in Embry's backstory with the Jessie bit. Idea being it could be a fitting way to introduce the combat system in a low stakes way. I think there are a few players new to the system so I think seeing some combat played out, where there might be a few punches thrown before adults step in, would help get people familiar with the mechanics. A bit of a kerfuffle would also draw the attention of John the mall security and bring more of the PCs together.

Fight! FIGHT!

[LarsWester]

No objection to having a fight start anyway though. I just don't think Embry would be initiating it unless the guys crossed the line and actually tried putting hands on the girls instead of just running their mouths.
I get where you are coming from here and it makes sense. Nice 16 on willpower and Embry shows his cool brushing off other kids talking crap about his mom and teasing his sister. Maybe one of the wastoids takes a cheap shot as Embry plays the bigger man and leads the girls away to watch Gremlins.

[LarsWester]

COMBAT MECHANICS
This will be a sample combat for everyone to get a taste of the mechanics prior to more high stakes encounters. In the rulebook this is all covered starting on page 98. But with play-by-post nature of this game we may want to condense some steps.
1. Intentions - In your post with rolls for a round you should also announce your intentions for the following round. These can be edited after seeing results of the whole round but this is where they should go either in spoiler tags in the In Character thread or in an OOC post. (In this example I have the following intentions for round 1. Jerkface - trip Embry Embry - walk away)
2. Initiative - In general magical or psychic attacks go first/ then ranged attacks/ then hand to hand. In each of these categories a character with Fast Reaction Time goes first with D10+dex settling who punches or fires next. All the above applies for non surprise rounds. In some combats there may be a Perception(Notice) check to avoid a surprise round. (In this example I'm giving a bit of a surprise round as Jerkface gets to go first.)
3. Performance - This is where rolls happen. In hand to hand each character can make 1 attack and 1 defensive action for free and but each additional action takes a -2 penalty. In non hand to hand each action besides the first takes a -2 skill. (In our example Jerkface will make a Brawling (Dex) check while Embry will make a Dodge (Dex) check. If Jerkface roll is higher than Embry it hits and if it is less it fails)
4. Damage - Listed on page 132 of rulebook. Sometimes such as the case in this example the damage is of a less lethal variety and so damage comes off Endurance points no Life Points. For this combat I'm going to rule the trip attempt as a kick.
5. Repeat - Steps 3 and 4 in initiative order for all combatants.
6. Start back at step 1.

Golden Rules
1. Try to limit the number of posts required. (A round of combat post should include all rolls required for all actions taken during steps 3 and 4. If hand to hand it should include a Defensive action roll for each attack that has been announced. Also include your intentions for the next round along with a next round initiative roll not required if you have Fast Reactions Quality.)
2. Rule of 10 and Rule of 1 additional rolls can be made in OOC thread.
3. Specific Hit locations should be announced prior to the roll and include in the roll tag description.

[LarsWester]

ok need a dodge/dex check from Embry. On a natural 9 or 10 he avoids being tripped and having his chin crack hard on the mall floor. I don't believe at this point anyone is wearing any armor but perhaps he has a leather jacket. Otherwise it's 16 points of Endurance damage.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

One of Giselle's and Katy's pirate crew. Environmentally conscious 17yr old girl. Plays the tuba. Protests the tuna.


Tangent, but I toyed with the idea of Katy being a band member with a tuba instead of Colorguard purely for the sake of seeing zombies get whacked with a tuba. Glad to see that possibility still exists. :smallbiggrin:

[LarsWester]

Not sure what happened with Card Trick I reached out by PM to see if his mind can be changed. I'll roll a d10 anyways for Embry.
messed up that format.

[LarsWester]

[roll0] here is 2nd attempt.

[LarsWester]

Another rule of 10. [roll0] OK but Embry's dodge beat the Jerkface's kick so the attack misses.

[Metastachydium]

Okay, I literally went all "wait, what??" when Embry just… "Died". I kind of hope CardTrick won't leave us in the end, but however this may go, can we put a moratorium on characters dying of silly reasons BEFORE the zombies show up? I think it would kind of wreak havoc with the setup if the lock-in was cancelled and everyone sent home on account of the children starting to murder each other.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Okay, I literally went all "wait, what??" when Embry just… "Died".

Second this. My first thought was ‘wow, this system is really brutal, no wonder we’re using it for a zombie game, everyone is going to be dead in less than a day if that’s how this usually goes.’


but however this may go, can we put a moratorium on characters dying of silly reasons BEFORE the zombies show up? I think it would kind of wreak havoc with the setup if the lock-in was cancelled and everyone sent home on account of the children starting to murder each other.

Second this also. Though now I guess I should ask, is there a medical person on site for normal highschooler shenanigans? If we’ve got two rival high schools here, and this is a normal thing, would they have a first aid site available for school rivalry fallout and accidents in the mall?

You don’t need to answer me right now, but as the player of a character with First Aid, Katy will probably be looking for it if it exists once the zombies appear.

[LarsWester]

Ms. Pauline Clapton-Clyde is the high school biology teacher and badminton coach. She also has Red Cross training in basic first aid and life saving procedures-which in the 80s was Heimlich and CPR no AEDs yet. She is trained in the First Aid skill and has a first aid kit. Yeah the "fight" I was hoping to stage was being done under Endurance Point rules meaning that there was no way Embry was going to die. He might have been knocked out but that would have taken multiple rule of 10 rolls on the attack to increasing the multiplier of damage. 16 Endurance points would have meant that he would have been a little physically drained but a lot of that could have been recovered before the zombies hit the mall. Fairly soon I'm going to do a time jump of two hours and that would have restored 6 Endurance points or 12 if Embry fell asleep during Gremlins. So the Endurance point loss wouldn't have been that bad by the time stuff hit the fan.

[LarsWester]

Okay, I literally went all "wait, what??" when Embry just… "Died". I kind of hope CardTrick won't leave us in the end, but however this may go, can we put a moratorium on characters dying of silly reasons BEFORE the zombies show up? I think it would kind of wreak havoc with the setup if the lock-in was cancelled and everyone sent home on account of the children starting to murder each other.
Which is why I am retconning CardTrick's suicide of his character. I get that you may want to leave a game for whatever reason just don't throw a grenade into the game like that which basically ruins the premise for everyone else. Steps were taken to prevent character death during this combat. It was operating under Endurance Point loss not Life Point loss rules. I don't know why CardTrick decided to quit the game at this point. I've asked but I don't know if I'll get an answer.

[Metastachydium]

Ms. Pauline Clapton-Clyde is the high school biology teacher and badminton coach. She also has Red Cross training in basic first aid and life saving procedures-which in the 80s was Heimlich and CPR no AEDs yet. She is trained in the First Aid skill and has a first aid kit.

Oh, cool! That gels quite well with Sciences and First Aid being among Giselle's kinda better skills.


Which is why I am retconning CardTrick's suicide of his character. I get that you may want to leave a game for whatever reason just don't throw a grenade into the game like that which basically ruins the premise for everyone else. Steps were taken to prevent character death during this combat. It was operating under Endurance Point loss not Life Point loss rules.

Nice and very considerate! (I mean, the zombies gotta eat!)

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Ms. Pauline Clapton-Clyde is the high school biology teacher and badminton coach. She also has Red Cross training in basic first aid and life saving procedures-which in the 80s was Heimlich and CPR no AEDs yet. She is trained in the First Aid skill and has a first aid kit. Yeah the "fight" I was hoping to stage was being done under Endurance Point rules meaning that there was no way Embry was going to die. He might have been knocked out but that would have taken multiple rule of 10 rolls on the attack to increasing the multiplier of damage. 16 Endurance points would have meant that he would have been a little physically drained but a lot of that could have been recovered before the zombies hit the mall. Fairly soon I'm going to do a time jump of two hours and that would have restored 6 Endurance points or 12 if Embry fell asleep during Gremlins. So the Endurance point loss wouldn't have been that bad by the time stuff hit the fan.

👍


I don't know why CardTrick decided to quit the game at this point. I've asked but I don't know if I'll get an answer.

Speaking as someone who has DM’d PbP games for 10+ years at this point…don’t lose sleep over it if you don’t get a reply back, there have been several times where I’ve had players drop without warning, it’s unfortunately common in this format.

The upshot is, he did drop before we really got started. I’ve had some drop in the middle of combat, and then had to scramble to keep from steamrolling the people who stuck around with an encounter that was meant for the whole group. :smallannoyed:

[Metastachydium]

Speaking as someone who has DM’d PbP games for 10+ years at this point…don’t lose sleep over it if you don’t get a reply back, there have been several times where I’ve had players drop without warning, it’s unfortunately common in this format.

The upshot is, he did drop before we really got started. I’ve had some drop in the middle of combat, and then had to scramble to keep from steamrolling the people who stuck around with an encounter that was meant for the whole group. :smallannoyed:

In fact, most of the flakers just ghost. Announcing it like this was brisk, yes, but it was announced.

[LarsWester]

Unless there's objections I'm going to time skip ahead two hours. That should give the zombies time to move through Columbia a bit. Go ahead and make a post stating what your character has been up to for the last 2 hours. Unbeknownst to the characters things outside are getting a little crazy. Going to post a link to Google Map in the first post soon.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Unless there's objections I'm going to time skip ahead two hours. That should give the zombies time to move through Columbia a bit. Go ahead and make a post stating what your character has been up to for the last 2 hours. Unbeknownst to the characters things outside are getting a little crazy. Going to post a link to Google Map in the first post soon.

Fine by me.

[rogue_alchemist]

Whew what a time to be sick myself. I've had the 48 hour bug (with my kids getting it too). I will try to read IC and get any posting I need done before the skip, but if I miss it, no problem.

[Metastachydium]

Whew what a time to be sick myself. I've had the 48 hour bug (with my kids getting it too).

Welcome back to the world of the healthy, by the way! (Kids truly are the bringers of pestilence!)

[LarsWester]

Whew what a time to be sick myself. I've had the 48 hour bug (with my kids getting it too). I will try to read IC and get any posting I need done before the skip, but if I miss it, no problem.
Was getting nervous that maybe I lost another player. Happy to hear you are on the mend. Everyone posted their updates so I'll get to a proper IC post later today.

[rogue_alchemist]

Welcome back to the world of the healthy, by the way! (Kids truly are the bringers of pestilence!)

They are aren't they?! I haven't been sick in about 10 years, but I have a 4 yo in school now, so it was bound to happen at some point.


Was getting nervous that maybe I lost another player. Happy to hear you are on the mend. Everyone posted their updates so I'll get to a proper IC post later today.

Yea, I figured you might be. I try not to disappear, most of the time sickness doesn't seem to onset so suddenly, but this was all at once and totally unable to move.

[LarsWester]

On my phone late at night but wanted to check in and say there should be an update tomorrow I've had the work week from hell.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

On my phone late at night but wanted to check in and say there should be an update tomorrow I've had the work week from hell.

Been there and it sucks. Hope things settle down!

[LarsWester]

John calls out "Ma'am, calm down! No need to bang down the door." He pulls out his standard issue security flashlight and holds it at his shoulder as he approaches about 3 feet from the door and calls "What is going on? The mall is closed." He is glancing between her and the car just behind her, assessing any potential threat.

Rogue Alchemist let's see some rolls from you here? If you can give a Willpower + Intimidation check or another social skill of your choice to calm the lady down. And a Perception + Notice to see how much John can glean from peering outside into the dark. Don't forget to add any appropriate bonuses from Qualities.

[rogue_alchemist]

Oof, for all his success last time, he is blinded this time, at least the reroll didn't change the result. And maybe a success on the social interaction, depending on the other modifiers. Since it is just one woman, John is able to keep pretty composed, but hopefully this doesn't spiral out of his control :)

[LarsWester]

Curious as to why the perception modifier was -5 in the second roll. You should have at least a +5 (from what I can tell) which would swing that result by 10! I think this was probably a 13 because S.A. doesn't apply yet and I'm going to treat it as such.

[rogue_alchemist]

Curious as to why the perception modifier was -5 in the second roll. You should have at least a +5 (from what I can tell) which would swing that result by 10! I think this was probably a 13 because S.A. doesn't apply yet and I'm going to treat it as such.

In the first set of rolls, the social roll messed up, but the perception roll worked and was a 1 (+7=8), so I kept that roll and "exploded" (imploded, more like it) the dice according to the 1 rule. I also rerolled the social roll so it would take properly. I am not sure what made it mess up, as I didn't try to edit the post or anything, but them's the breaks sometimes.

As your post is already up, I don't mind if we count that first set of rolls a total failure and just take the second set of rolls. Technology being what it is and all.

[LarsWester]

Ah I see I wasn't clear on that but that makes total sense. I thought you were rerolling both rolls. Let's stick with that interpretation as the post is already up.

[LarsWester]

With a perception roll of 12 Vincent can hear Rebecca's whispers to Katy.
Also don't think it's been mentioned yet but Eleanor is two rows in front of Pirate gang.

[Kinro]

Oh, missed that. Perception 3 plus notice 3?


[roll0]

[Kinro]

I guess that's an 8? I notice nothing.

[LarsWester]

You notice your crush leaning in to whisper something to her friend.

[Metastachydium]

I guess that's an 8? I notice nothing.


You notice your crush leaning in to whisper something to her friend.

Still a better track record than Katy and Betsy forgetting Giselle is within the span of 5 minutes!

[LarsWester]

Giselle broke ranks to chase Manny. She left the other girls not the other way around.

[Metastachydium]

Giselle broke ranks to chase Manny. She left the other girls not the other way around.

I know. I just found it funny (hence the blue text) how none of her friends seems to have noticed she's still AWOL.

[LarsWester]

Bah the whole game is ruined I misread the mall map. Thinking that floor two was floor one and vice versa. So that's how we are going to interpret the map. Movies are downstairs. Betsy's mom and car are upstairs at the doors near the F wing. Currently I have the PCs in two locations Vince, Giselle, and Eleanor are at the movie marathon downstairs in the food court area. John and Katy are heading towards the doors upstairs to deliver Betsy to her mom and provide emotional support.

[Metastachydium]

(Figured about the same; it's a 2-3 split of the PCs either way, and G. staying lets her be all lazy.)

[Kareeah_Indaga]

I wish I could preview posts without annoying the dice roller or jumping through hoops. :smallannoyed:

[rogue_alchemist]

Well John failed another perception test with a 1, so let's see how bad it is: [roll0]

Alright so the total will be 6-1=5, right? or does the -1 stand in place of the original 1, so that it is -1+5 = 4?

[Metastachydium]

Do it! LET THE DOGS OUT ZOMBIES IN!!

[Bowerbird]

This is probably fiiine. :smalltongue:

[LarsWester]

Well John failed another perception test with a 1, so let's see how bad it is: [roll0]

Alright so the total will be 6-1=5, right? or does the -1 stand in place of the original 1, so that it is -1+5 = 4?

I believe per the chart if the first roll was a 1 + 5 and then the rule of 1 reroll was a natural 4 then the replacement roll was a -1. So the perception check would be a -1+5 = 4. With that roll I'm going to assume John unlocks the door.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

If you roll higher on initiative you may act but at this point your character's assumption is that these are rioters in makeup not zombies that would be ridiculous.

Does that assumption prevent Hemophobic Katy from having to make a save vs. running and screaming in the opposite direction because if not, what do I roll?

[LarsWester]

I will rule that at this point Katy probably assumes its goret halloween makeup. So would that trigger her hemophobia I don't know. Once real blood gets spilled would be the time for that phobia to kick in. So I would roll a 1d10+dex and see where she falls in initiative. Depending on if actual blood is spraying places by her turn she may need to make that fear test or not.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

In that case -

Initiative: [roll0]

[rogue_alchemist]

It says if you have fast reactions you can just go first in Initiative without rolling. I am not sure how that works if "everyone" has fast reactions, but I assume the zombies almost never do, so at least the PCs get to act before them. Also are we doing Block Initiative (where anybody who roles better than the zombies can go) or do we need to stack ourselves according to our Initiative (thus requiring us all to role and wait to see where we fall)?

[Kareeah_Indaga]

It says if you have fast reactions you can just go first in Initiative without rolling. I am not sure how that works if "everyone" has fast reactions, but I assume the zombies almost never do, so at least the PCs get to act before them.

*checks Katy's sheet* *checks John's sheet* Thank you for bringing this up!

[LarsWester]

Sure those with fast reactions would get their turn first. I am playing Mr. Mom the last few days watching our kids as my wife went on a mini vacation with her sister. Way busier than I thought.

[rogue_alchemist]

Sure those with fast reactions would get their turn first. I am playing Mr. Mom the last few days watching our kids as my wife went on a mini vacation with her sister. Way busier than I thought.

Yea, it's always go, go, go when I have the kids. I feel you. Hang in there! We will be here.

[rogue_alchemist]

So what is everyone's perception on the armament of a mall cop in the late 80's? I am thinking no gun, but probably a billy club and a personal bowie knife he has peace tied on his opposite hip (mostly for utility, but also comfort of something for self defense).

[Kinro]

Certainly, they wouldn't issue knives and he'd get in real trouble if he used one on the job.

[Metastachydium]

Sure those with fast reactions would get their turn first. I am playing Mr. Mom the last few days watching our kids as my wife went on a mini vacation with her sister. Way busier than I thought.


Yea, it's always go, go, go when I have the kids. I feel you. Hang in there! We will be here.

Seconded! Kids are hard.


So what is everyone's perception on the armament of a mall cop in the late 80's? I am thinking no gun, but probably a billy club and a personal bowie knife he has peace tied on his opposite hip (mostly for utility, but also comfort of something for self defense).

Beyond "probably nothing lethal displayed openly"… I'm not sure.

[LarsWester]

I think it is important to remember the setting of South Carolina (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_South_Carolina#:~:text=South%20Carolin a%20is%20a%20%22shall,Permit%20required%20for%20op en%20carry%3F&text=Open%20carry%20of%20long%20guns,with%20a%20co ncealed%20weapon%20permit.). I think that it is likely that John has an unloaded piece on him. Meaning Bullets secured elsewhere on person. South Carolina is very pro-gun probably even back in the 80s.

[Metastachydium]

I think it is important to remember the setting of South Carolina (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_South_Carolina#:~:text=South%20Carolin a%20is%20a%20%22shall,Permit%20required%20for%20op en%20carry%3F&text=Open%20carry%20of%20long%20guns,with%20a%20co ncealed%20weapon%20permit.).

Ah, right, southern US. Let me amedn my previous thought to "side-by-side double barreled break action shotgun held, hunting rifle with scope slung over back, two .45 guns on hips and a backup/utility .32 in an ankle holster".

[Kareeah_Indaga]

I was thinking ‘handgun’ at the least, but a club and/or knife in addition to said gun doesn’t sound out of place to me. Just lots and lots of paperwork if he has to actually use any of them. I admit I don’t know how accurate that would be to the 80s though.

[rogue_alchemist]

I think it is important to remember the setting of South Carolina (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_South_Carolina#:~:text=South%20Carolin a%20is%20a%20%22shall,Permit%20required%20for%20op en%20carry%3F&text=Open%20carry%20of%20long%20guns,with%20a%20co ncealed%20weapon%20permit.). I think that it is likely that John has an unloaded piece on him. Meaning Bullets secured elsewhere on person. South Carolina is very pro-gun probably even back in the 80s.

Well being Ex-military, I assume John would have the permits to carry and it seems businesses CANNOT supersede this state law. I imagine South Carolina only has the "restrictions" they do now because it is required by the federal government in some way and it was probably even more open in the 80's. So I'll say he has a unloaded handgun (1911 comes to mind), with ammo on the opposite hip. Baton and concealed knife also available.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Sure those with fast reactions would get their turn first.

Do we need to determine post order between PCs in that case? I've been under the assumption John's going first, since he's trained for situations like this, but I can throw up a post for Katy in the interest of keeping the IC running if it won't gum anything up.

[LarsWester]

Within group initiative I feel its first post goes first. Meaning any with fast reactions can go in any order

[LarsWester]

Well being Ex-military, I assume John would have the permits to carry and it seems businesses CANNOT supersede this state law. I imagine South Carolina only has the "restrictions" they do now because it is required by the federal government in some way and it was probably even more open in the 80's. So I'll say he has a unloaded handgun (1911 comes to mind), with ammo on the opposite hip. Baton and concealed knife also available.

Sounds right to me.

[rogue_alchemist]

Sorry guys, my family has come down with the seasonal crud (4yo and 1yo, both throwing up and feverish). I've just got stuffy nose, but taking care of them has been a full time job. Every time I sit down to post, I immediate have to go do something else. I'll get something up within 12hours though, I promise. Sorry for the hold up. Kareeah_Indaga, please feel free to post whenever you are available, do not wait for me. John will react to interpose himself between the "zombies" and Betsy, as he assumes the adults can protect themselves and have a police officer to help, the teenager seems vulnerable.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Hope you all feel better soon!


John will react to interpose himself between the "zombies" and Betsy, as he assumes the adults can protect themselves and have a police officer to help, the teenager seems vulnerable.

Excellent, that meshes well with what I’d been planning. Post is up BTW.

[rogue_alchemist]

Sorry it wasn't quite within 12 hours, but I finally got it posted. This is just 1 hit after another it seems.

[Metastachydium]

Meanwhile, here I am, left to contemplate if G. had enough time to already nod off. And it's HARD.

[LarsWester]

Looks like it's my turn for a post in the combat scene. Movie Marathon folks feel free to post RP style posts if you want.

Katy felt a brief burst of nausea at those costumes - it’s not real blood it’s not real blood it’s not real blood - but they were going after her friend and she had to do something.

So she snatched Rebecca’s drink out of her hand and threw it at the rioters chasing Betsy, shouting “You stay away from her!”, trying to get their attention.

ZM, what do I roll?
Not like a drink will do any damage anyways I'll treat this as a success and include it and the repercussions in my upcoming post.

[LarsWester]

Oh boy forgot to see when other important NPCs can go in the initiative.

Betsy [roll0]
Principal Klander [roll1]
Officer Mendoza [roll2]
Betsy's Mom [roll3]
Becca [roll4]


John and Katy are pre-initiative.
Officer Mendoza 11
Becca 11
Zombies are at 10.
Principal Klander at 10
Betsy 3
Betsy's Mom 2

[Kinro]

Vincent is still back somewhere else, right?

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Vincent is still back somewhere else, right?

I think Vincent is with Giselle getting bored watching movies instead of chomped on.


Moves up to Katy and makes an attempt to grab her and bite. [roll3] Katy needs to make a Dodge/Dex check to oppose this. If the zombie hits it does [roll4] x 2 damage to Katy's [roll5] On success does 6 damage to Katy's right arm. Describe your interaction in your post with the opposed roll. Also probably about time for a fear check for Katy let's do it after her dodge check though.

Would that Fear check just be 1d10+Willpower?

[Bowerbird]

Yeah, the rest of us are still watching Little Shop of Horrors in the Food Court. Which, if zombies get in, will be a different kind of food court. :smalltongue:

Not that I think it'll matter for this particular combat, but since Eleanor is on edge and listening for anything suspicious would it be appropriate to roll to notice and/or identify the sound of a gunshot over the sound of the movie?

[LarsWester]

Sure there were two gunshots and the weren't too far away I would call it an average test obviously hearing only on the perception at this point but any at the movie can make the test Giselle, Eleanor, or Vincent. I think it might be a few turns before the chaos is within the mall.

[Bowerbird]

Alright cool, so Perception + Notice: [roll0] So 9 total, looks like.

[LarsWester]

Would that Fear check just be 1d10+Willpower?
Here are the relevant rules for that.
Page 96 "When facing a fearsome creature or otherwise experiencing fright first-hand, Norms and Survivors
must pass a Difficult Willpower Test."

Page 91 "Difficult Tests are more challenging; lifting something with only one hand, for example, makes for a
Difficult Strength Test. In those cases, only the value of the Attribute involved (do not double it) is added."

So I you are correct roll 1d10 add Willpower (2 in your case). Result > 9 Katy overcomes the fearful moment.

Less than a 9 is a failure but unless this [roll0] - Katy's Willpower (2) is > 8 she'll just freeze or run in panic this next turn. If the above roll is a ten add this [roll1] to the total. And then we consult the fear table which is all sorts of bad stuff. Wow that rule of 10 roll was awful. This close to fear table on a failure but Katy will just freeze or run if you fail the fear test.

[LarsWester]

Alright cool, so Perception + Notice: [roll0] So 9 total, looks like.
Ok Vincent heard a faint echo of gunshots. Was it from a videogame or in the movie with a 9 (lowest level of success) he isn't quite sure but he heard something and it didn't make sense in the movie.

[LarsWester]

ugh sorry for the multiple posts in a row just keep seeing things I need to react to.


[roll0] – includes Dexterity and nothing else. If there are relevant Skills, Qualities or whatever else I should be adding to Katy’s roll, let me know!
Well this dodge is enough to beat the attack so we'll let it stand at just that. I posted that a Dodge/Dex check was required. If you don't have Dodge just Dex works. I think Katy has her flagpole if so we ruled that it qualifies as a staff. You could alternatively use the Parry rule instead of dodge. In that case you would be using the flagpole to ward off the zombie and get to add your +2 from staff skill to your Dex. I can't remember if you brought the flagpole with you or not.

[Bowerbird]

Ok Vincent heard a faint echo of gunshots. Was it from a videogame or in the movie with a 9 (lowest level of success) he isn't quite sure but he heard something and it didn't make sense in the movie.

*Eleanor. I'd say given how she was already worried, that's probably enough for her to get up to go check things out, but not conclusive enough to start freaking out.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Okay then.

Willpower to avoid fleeing: [roll0]



Well this dodge is enough to beat the attack so we'll let it stand at just that. I posted that a Dodge/Dex check was required. If you don't have Dodge just Dex works. I think Katy has her flagpole if so we ruled that it qualifies as a staff. You could alternatively use the Parry rule instead of dodge. In that case you would be using the flagpole to ward off the zombie and get to add your +2 from staff skill to your Dex. I can't remember if you brought the flagpole with you or not.

Katy does not have Dodge. Yes she brought the flagpole, I was using it for fluff on the roll. I’ll keep Parry in mind next time this comes up.

[LarsWester]

*Eleanor. I'd say given how she was already worried, that's probably enough for her to get up to go check things out, but not conclusive enough to start freaking out.
Apologies got the PC mixed up. Yeah that makes sense. It would take about 10 turns to walk to the front doors but if you sprinted there you could probably make it 4 turns but I'd ask for a Constitution test to sprint there taking D4 Endurance points on a failure.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

I can’t edit the previous post without mucking up the roll, but I believe that’s a fail. Katy flees or is this fear table territory?

[LarsWester]

I can’t edit the previous post without mucking up the roll, but I believe that’s a fail. Katy flees or is this fear table territory?
FYI you can edit a post with a roll in it just don't make any further rolls or delete rolls, but editing to add text is fine. Yes with that result Katy either freezes for a round or runs away your call. I rolled my d10 for fear table and just missed getting something I got an 8 (10-2) which is not enough to impose any other bad stuff.

[Bowerbird]

I can’t edit the previous post without mucking up the roll, but I believe that’s a fail. Katy flees or is this fear table territory?

Editing usually works fine with rolls, so long as you leave that section alone. So long as you leave the [roll0] bit alone it shouldn't mess it up. At least it always has for me.


Apologies got the PC mixed up. Yeah that makes sense. It would take about 10 turns to walk to the front doors but if you sprinted there you could probably make it 4 turns but I'd ask for a Constitution test to sprint there taking D4 Endurance points on a failure.

All good, yeah I don't think she's worried enough for a sprint (yet), but I'll put an IC post up shortly.

[Metastachydium]

Oh! We get to roll stuff? I'll roll stuff. Perception, with Situational Awareness: [roll0]

[LarsWester]

Ok outside waiting on John's counter to Z2. I think this will be a d10+7 so I think it's an auto success. Either by parry(martial arts) or dodge (acrobatics).
So that means we are top of the order with turn 2.
Setting the scene at top of turn 2.
Z1 is trying to grab a hold of Katy
Z2 is trying to grab a hold of John
Z3 + Z4 are around Mendoza trying to grab and bite her.
Z5 is trying to attack Principal Klander
Z6 (32 pts of damage to torso) is standing up about 4 feet from Mendoza with a bullet wound in his chest.
Ms Jones and Betsy are in the car peeling away across the parking lot.
Rebecca is back inside the mall
Eleanor is on approach to the scene walking casually.
Gisselle is attempting to sleep.
Vincent is ?

Katy is suffering from Fear for this turn and either freezes or runs.
It is Katy and John's initiative.
John and Katy are pre-initiative.
Officer Mendoza 11
Rebecca 11
Zombies are at 10.
Principal Klander at 10

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Seeing as Betsy already told Katy to run, who am I to question her wisdom? :smalltongue: :smallwink:

Katy flees. Do I still roll a Dodge check?

[rogue_alchemist]

rolling here because the dice roller hates me. Dodge:[roll0] (this is Acrobatics and Dex) Attack [roll1] (this is MA+Dex-2 for aimed at Vital Targets)

[rogue_alchemist]

rolling here because the dice roller hates me. Dodge:[roll0] (this is Acrobatics and Dex) Attack [roll1] (this is MA+Dex-2 for aimed at Vital Targets)

And now I get to botch the attack, great [roll0] so it stands at a 7. maybe they can't dodge and it'll still hit.

[Kinro]

Vincent Perception + Notice:

[roll0]

That would be an 8.

[LarsWester]

rolling here because the dice roller hates me. Dodge:[roll0] (this is Acrobatics and Dex) Attack [roll1] (this is MA+Dex-2 for aimed at Vital Targets)
John's Dex is listed as a 3 on his character sheet so I think these are 1 lower.
[roll0] That's still going to let John's solar plexus punch hit and the 20 damage is going to knock the thing to the ground. Is there anything else that John wants to do on his turn. He already has his police baton in one hand. He could take an additional attack action with it at a -2 for additional actions.

Also if dice rolling gets botched somehow its best to leave the botched roll in there and avoid the dreaded red text "* post roll count doesn't match database"
You can always use the s tags to strike through incorrect or botched rolls. just place the s tags around the [roll#] tags when editing.
I'll give a chance for some other actions if John wants to try anything. Then in a few hours I'll post Mendoza, and the Zs turn.

[rogue_alchemist]

John's Dex is listed as a 3 on his character sheet so I think these are 1 lower.
[roll0] That's still going to let John's solar plexus punch hit and the 20 damage is going to knock the thing to the ground. Is there anything else that John wants to do on his turn. He already has his police baton in one hand. He could take an additional attack action with it at a -2 for additional actions.

Also if dice rolling gets botched somehow its best to leave the botched roll in there and avoid the dreaded red text "* post roll count doesn't match database"
You can always use the s tags to strike through incorrect or botched rolls. just place the s tags around the [roll#] tags when editing.
I'll give a chance for some other actions if John wants to try anything. Then in a few hours I'll post Mendoza, and the Zs turn.

It gave me the red text with my initial post. I only removed the roll text that wasn't accepted at all. I forgot you can do as many actions as you want with stacking penalties. I will post one more action of John attacking. It won't be as good as the MA attack.

[LarsWester]

Pointers about dice rolling.
The roller hates multiple modifiers so it won't work with a 1d10+2+5-3. You need to do the math and give it 1d10+4.
As far as I know the roller won't do multiplication but one why to write this is [roll0]+4 for John's Martial Arts for example. Where you include the multiplier in the roll tag before the roll.
Then it is useful to come back in to edit the post with the total and any in character test to add description to roll results.
I believe the Z's Dex check to avoid also goes down by 2 for each attempt to avoid damage. I missed that John moved to targeting Z1. Still hits
[roll1]
[roll2]

[roll3]
So John's second blow connects doing 12 damage to Z1's left arm.


Posting an update halfway through turn 2.


Z1 (12pts damage to left arm) -1 to attacks engaged with John
Z2 (20pts damage to vital areas) - knocked prone -now standing
Z3 (48pts of damage to torso, 16pts of damage to right arm) - knocked prone -now standing , right arm blown off -2 to attacks.
Z4 (64 pts of damage to torso) knocked prone-now standing
Z5 is trying to attack Officer Mendoza.
Z6 (32 pts of damage to torso) attacking Mendoza.
Ms Jones and Betsy are in the car peeling away across the parking lot.
Principal Klander, Rebecca and Katy are back inside the mall
Eleanor is on approach to the scene walking casually.
Gisselle is attempting to sleep.
Vincent is ?

John and Katy are pre-initiative.
Officer Mendoza (4 bullets remaining) 11
Rebecca 11
Zombies are at 10.
Principal Klander at 10

[Metastachydium]

Hm. Let's see another Perception with Situational Awareness, given the rapidly approaching Screaming!Katy: [roll0]

[Bowerbird]

Was there a teacher left in charge of the movie marathon to potentially calm people down?

[LarsWester]

Was there a teacher left in charge of the movie marathon to potentially calm people down?

Ms. Pauline Clapton Clyde is there. [roll0] Simple Willpower test to not lose her mind too.

[LarsWester]

Z1 (12pts damage to left arm) -1 to attacks engaged with John John roundhouse kicked to the head for 28 points of damage.
Z2 (20pts damage to vital areas) - Engaged with John
Z3 (48pts of damage to torso, 16pts of damage to right arm) right arm blown off -2 to attacks, Engaged with John
Z4 (64 pts of damage to torso) engaged with Mendoza
Z5 engaged with Mendoza
Z6 (32 pts of damage to torso) attacking Mendoza.
Ms Jones and Betsy are in the car peeling away across the parking lot.
Principal Klander, Rebecca and Katy are back inside the mall
Eleanor is on approach to the scene walking casually.
Gisselle is attempting to sleep.
Vincent is ?

John and Katy are pre-initiative.
Officer Mendoza (4 bullets remaining still had misread capacity) 11
Zombies are at 10
Principal Klander at 10

[LarsWester]

Any strong objections to another player taking the slot of card trick?
Also some rolls needed
[roll0]
[roll1]

[LarsWester]

always should do some more rolls than anticipated because of rule of 10 and 1.
[roll0]

[LarsWester]

I say it but I don't do it.
[roll0]

[Bowerbird]

I figure helping the teacher keep order's an appropriate thing to do, so Eleanor's standing near Giselle, Vincent, and friends helping herd them and those around them over to cover.

[Metastachydium]

Also, G. is not trying to sleep anymore! She's been complying with the teacher's instructions as a model citizen (and contemplating ways to make Katy pay for this) since her previous post a couple days ago.

[rogue_alchemist]

Any strong objections to another player taking the slot of card trick?


No objection from me. The more the merrier! Just make sure your sanity can handle it.

[Metastachydium]

Right. I forgot to answer that question. Fresh blood is good blood! I absolutely don't mind further little zombie victims.

[bramblefoot]

silus hush

https://images.nightcafe.studio/jobs/32k2i5teVjawvFFlmEFE/32k2i5teVjawvFFlmEFE--1--9ow0z.jpg?tr=w-250,c-at_max

strength 2
dexterity 4
constitution 2
intelligence 2
perception 2
willpower 2

qualities

situational awareness (2)
resistance (pain) 1
fast reaction time (2)
arsenal (2) +2 to perception for gathering impromptu weapons
hit em where it hurts (2) +2 damage for impromptu weapons
hard to kill 1 (1)


drawbacks
unnattractiveness (-2)
clown (-1)
paranoid (-2)

skills

dodge 4
firearms (handgun) 4
notice 3
intimidation 4
hand weapon 3 (knife)
hand weapon 3 (club)
stealth 2
martial arts 2 (spec: systema)
first aid 2

[bramblefoot]

Just a heads up: Silus is a nut up or shut up kind of person

[Metastachydium]

Hey, bramble! Looks like there really isn't a game system you're not proficient in. (Also, who let this nutjob guy into a mall full of innocent teenagers (and Manny, the glorified drug dealer)?!)

[bramblefoot]

Hey, bramble! Looks like there really isn't a game system you're not proficient in. (Also, who let this nutjob guy into a mall full of innocent teenagers (and Manny, the glorified drug dealer)?!)

I imagine silus is the quiet kid who nobody really messes with unless you want him to cause a columbine 12 years early

[bramblefoot]

oh ZM, is there any objection to me starting with a pair of heavy boots that can act as an impromptu weapon?

[LarsWester]

No objection to Silus wearing boots of any sort. Tonight would probably be the night he'd get the least amount of stares for wearing them. Confused as to the request are you asking for a bonus to kicking with heavy boots. I don't think so. Are you going to throw them? Cue Austin Powers gif. "Come on who throws a shoe." If you were to throw them yes I'd count them as improvised weapon probably treat them as a lighter bludgeoning weapon. Kicking is already very OP so not going to provide a bonus if you kick with them.

[bramblefoot]

No objection to Silus wearing boots of any sort. Tonight would probably be the night he'd get the least amount of stares for wearing them. Confused as to the request are you asking for a bonus to kicking with heavy boots. I don't think so. Are you going to throw them? Cue Austin Powers gif. "Come on who throws a shoe." If you were to throw them yes I'd count them as improvised weapon probably treat them as a lighter bludgeoning weapon. Kicking is already very OP so not going to provide a bonus if you kick with them.

i was asking for the boots. that was all

also can i have a walkthrough on AMFBE combat? im not that knowledgeable on the system combat

[LarsWester]

Yep no problem with the boots and if you threw the would be improvised thrown weapons. So combat occurs in turns. There's initiative but if you have Fast Reaction Quality you go before everyone else.
Then it gets rather complex. So on your turn you can do multiple things but you suffer a -2 to everything after one attack action and one defensive reaction. Generally in the post on your turn you will be posting rolls for all your attacks and damage if they hit as well as any reactions to attacks that occurred between your last post and the current post. These reactions should technically come before your attacks as they are reactions to things that happened prior to your turn in the current round. They could be attacks from people after you in the previous round or before you in the current round.

Generally an attack roll will be a d10+Dex+Attack Skill
Damage will generally be the weapon damage listed in the book which is written as D# X # . This means you roll a single die and multiply by the multiplier. There are numerous exceptions to this normal damage such as bludgeoning damage doing double to the head.
Every attack should also include a d10 roll to determine the hit location. Or you can take a negative modifier to target a specific location.

On defense you are either rolling D10+ Dex + Dodge or Dex + Acrobatics versus the attack roll. If your result equals or is greater than the attack you dodge out of the way. You can also parry if you have a weapon in which case it is Dex + Weapon Skill.

Guns are awesome and if you fire a gun you can fire multiple rounds per turn each with a cumulative -1 modifier. Generally if there is no active resistance to an attack you need to beat a 9.

Armor can come into play but so far it hasn't come into play much. It blocked one Z attack on the police woman Mendoza.

[bramblefoot]

Yep no problem with the boots and if you threw the would be improvised thrown weapons. So combat occurs in turns. There's initiative but if you have Fast Reaction Quality you go before everyone else.
Then it gets rather complex. So on your turn you can do multiple things but you suffer a -2 to everything after one attack action and one defensive reaction. Generally in the post on your turn you will be posting rolls for all your attacks and damage if they hit as well as any reactions to attacks that occurred between your last post and the current post. These reactions should technically come before your attacks as they are reactions to things that happened prior to your turn in the current round. They could be attacks from people after you in the previous round or before you in the current round.

Generally an attack roll will be a d10+Dex+Attack Skill
Damage will generally be the weapon damage listed in the book which is written as D# X # . This means you roll a single die and multiply by the multiplier. There are numerous exceptions to this normal damage such as bludgeoning damage doing double to the head.
Every attack should also include a d10 roll to determine the hit location. Or you can take a negative modifier to target a specific location.

On defense you are either rolling D10+ Dex + Dodge or Dex + Acrobatics versus the attack roll. If your result equals or is greater than the attack you dodge out of the way. You can also parry if you have a weapon in which case it is Dex + Weapon Skill.

Guns are awesome and if you fire a gun you can fire multiple rounds per turn each with a cumulative -1 modifier. Generally if there is no active resistance to an attack you need to beat a 9.

Armor can come into play but so far it hasn't come into play much. It blocked one Z attack on the police woman Mendoza.

my plan is to head to the local hunting store, you know the one that always has rifles in the window, and get inside to kit up

[LarsWester]

my plan is to head to the local hunting store, you know the one that always has rifles in the window, and get inside to kit up
Ok but that mall is closed and that store has the metal shutters down to prevent theft of aforementioned rifles.

[Kinro]

Vincent might be able to help with lockpicking, but he's probably not so convinced that it's time for theft and murder.

[Metastachydium]

I imagine silus is the quiet kid who nobody really messes with unless you want him to cause a columbine 12 years early

I have… SO many questions. His father was on the Gulag? How? When? Are they from Eastern Europe? How old is he, to have been old enough to kick doors open when his father came back? Is he good at something society values? Sports, perhaps? Or how did he end up in the mall? Sneaked in (no shame to it, Manny would add) and looked weird enough that nobody noticed?


Yep no problem with the boots and if you threw the would be improvised thrown weapons.

I love that menatal image.


Vincent might be able to help with lockpicking,

Curiously enough, Giselle could probably help with helping with that. She has Mechanic trained!


but he's probably not so convinced that it's time for theft and murder.

I'm sure Mendoza felt the same way. Felt. Before she was murdered by dead people and all that. (But yeah, full-on shooting spree's not exactly warranted thus far.)

[Kinro]

From my perspective, we should go on full alert, of course, but from Vincent, a classmate has run in yelling about blood, which might be a joke or overreaction, and one teacher is worried about something. Not quite 'society has fallen into chaos, we must fend for ourselves' level yet.

[Metastachydium]

From my perspective, we should go on full alert, of course, but from Vincent, a classmate has run in yelling about blood, which might be a joke or overreaction, and one teacher is worried about something. Not quite 'society has fallen into chaos, we must fend for ourselves' level yet.

Well, as Giselle's own comment on the issue should attest, she is absolutely certain this is a "who let Katy near fake blood again" issue rathe than "a world's ending, they are EATING people" issue, so yeah. I suppose Silus is just a "Violence? Finally!" kind of weirdo.

[bramblefoot]

Ok but that mall is closed and that store has the metal shutters down to prevent theft of aforementioned rifles.

completely understandable. americans hate having their property stolen

[bramblefoot]

oki, several things. i was aiming for the door, not the metal shutters. get inside the door, and the steel can be bypassed. if there is metal shutters over the door, then thats interesting

that is all senor ZM

[rogue_alchemist]

oki, several things. i was aiming for the door, not the metal shutters. get inside the door, and the steel can be bypassed. if there is metal shutters over the door, then thats interesting

that is all senor ZM

This (https://images.app.goo.gl/8GLmBMvf5TAtJx5Q6) is probably what he has in mind. Or the come down from the top kind, but yeah they cover the entire storefront and are really difficult to bypass without the key to unlock and roll them up.

[bramblefoot]

This (https://images.app.goo.gl/8GLmBMvf5TAtJx5Q6) is probably what he has in mind. Or the come down from the top kind, but yeah they cover the entire storefront and are really difficult to bypass without the key to unlock and roll them up.

oki, interesting. if i had known that, i wouldnt have fugging kicked it

if you dont know, i dont get out much :smallsmile:

[LarsWester]

Pretty sure any store with firearms would be protected by something like https://www.industrialrollupdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Roll-Up-Storefront-Door.jpg
I thought you were saying Pops from the Secret Ops taught you a trick for this particular thing.

[LarsWester]

Well, as Giselle's own comment on the issue should attest, she is absolutely certain this is a "who let Katy near fake blood again" issue rathe than "a world's ending, they are EATING people" issue, so yeah. I suppose Silus is just a "Violence? Finally!" kind of weirdo.
I think that Bramblefoot made a Prepper High School version - trench-coat wearing definitely weirdo kid. Students received invitations either due to high grades or a teacher recommendation. If your intelligence + willpower equaled less than 5 your invite was probably due to a teacher recommendation.

As it stands Silus ran off and started kicking at the metal barrier to the Sportsman's store which has some hunting rifles and ammunition. To catch Bramblefoot up we have kinda been doing a slow boil bit to get to the action. No one is really aware that there are dead people walking around eating people yet. Going to be a bit obvious once Principal Klander and John return with the news of what happened to Mendoza. The city outside has gone a bit nuts but the teens inside the mall are in media outage no one has cellphones and there are no TVs or radios on at the time. I just want to paint the in-character picture a bit better and why some of the players are mentioning it maybe not yet being time to loot and shoot. As for in character posts I'm interested in John's reaction to Mendoza going down. And everyone else's reaction to Silus kicking at the steel barrier.

[bramblefoot]

Pretty sure any store with firearms would be protected by something like https://www.industrialrollupdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Roll-Up-Storefront-Door.jpg
I thought you were saying Pops from the Secret Ops taught you a trick for this particular thing.

my issue with my brain is i dont think before i post silly me

the trick is that most of these grates have a few screws that hold it together. take em out, and the grate collapses, or at the least is weakened

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Going to be a bit obvious once Principal Klander and John return with the news of what happened to Mendoza.

Shouldn’t Rebecca be able to back Katy up, at least insofar as she’s not panicking over nothing? She left the fight before Katy did.

[bramblefoot]

oki, lemme get this straight. were waiting to see what goes on?

im just trying to get a feel for this

[LarsWester]

my issue with my brain is i dont think before i post silly me

the trick is that most of these grates have a few screws that hold it together. take em out, and the grate collapses, or at the least is weakened
So these types of security doors that close off the door and window front of stores are closed or opened from the inside of the store. There is usually a back door that is accessible through a normal lock and deadbolt that is available through a service hallway of the mall. You would need to have a key to access the back hallway of the mall and then a key for the back door of the store. From the front end a steel cutting tool could be used or a some vehicle could crash through it probably totaling the vehicle in the process.

[LarsWester]

oki, lemme get this straight. were waiting to see what goes on?

im just trying to get a feel for this
Yes. Everyone except for John and Katy and a few NPCs have no first hand knowledge of what's going on. Even those people don't know what's really going on. They know they were attacked by people that were bloody and violent (working intel is that there were protests occurring all over the city over a police shooting). That the people didn't respond to gun shot wounds to the chest (working assumption their on drugs). That they seemed to be interested in biting those they attacked. (no explanation comes to mind maybe drugs again). The city's police have switched to an encrypted channel that the two police assigned to event security handheld radios don't pick up. The officers were in the dark for a long time but know that things are going really bad in the city. The first signs of trouble at the mall occurred about 30 seconds ago.

[Metastachydium]

Shouldn’t Rebecca be able to back Katy up, at least insofar as she’s not panicking over nothing? She left the fight before Katy did.

That is, of course, correct, but, y'know, come on! Let poor Giselle be smug about it before she realizes she is the slowest person on the roster.

[Bowerbird]

Yeah, a bunch of kids were having a movie marathon in the food court, which got interrupted by the sound of gunfire (maybe?) and someone running up screaming. One teacher's directing everyone to stay calm and move off to the side, with some assistance from my Student Council rep, the rest are largely in the dark so far.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

That is, of course, correct, but, y'know, come on! Let poor Giselle be smug about it before she realizes she is the slowest person on the roster.

Giselle is fine, I just want to throw Rebecca under the bus too make sure 'Becca doesn't get left out of the upcoming 'young lady this is not the sort of thing you joke about' lecture.

[bramblefoot]

personally, im gonna play up silus' paranoia a little. hes a country boy, and he knows when SHTF. the first sign is when the teacher says there is nothing to worry about. thats when you start worrying cause when they say theres nothing wrong, thats when something is terribly wrong

[LarsWester]

Anyone suspicious of the story that Klander is selling can roll a Perception + Questioning check versus Principal Klander Smooth Talking [roll0] to see that there's signs she is hiding something.

John is going behind the scenes to the mall's security office so he'll be doing his own thing for a few in-game minutes.

[LarsWester]

personally, im gonna play up silus' paranoia a little. hes a country boy, and he knows when SHTF. the first sign is when the teacher says there is nothing to worry about. thats when you start worrying cause when they say theres nothing wrong, thats when something is terribly wrong

Like a police officer getting chewed on outside the front door.

[bramblefoot]

Like a police officer getting chewed on outside the front door.

correct! ten points to the ZM!

flat perception roll to poke holes in klanders story
[roll0]

can my paranoia grant a +2 to that roll, or is that not allowed?

[bramblefoot]

rolling to see how many tens i get extra on my arsenal check

[roll0]

senor ZM, a 31 on silus's weapon searching

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Anyone suspicious of the story that Klander is selling can roll a Perception + Questioning check versus Principal Klander Smooth Talking [roll0] to see that there's signs she is hiding something.

Does Katy get any bonuses, seeing as she overheard 'chaos in the streets' earlier...and also was almost eaten?

[LarsWester]

Does Katy get any bonuses, seeing as she overheard 'chaos in the streets' earlier...and also was almost eaten?

I mean Katy saw what she saw. She knows the Prinicpal isnt tellling the whole story. Now if she wanted to convince others of it that would take a different skill.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

I mean Katy saw what she saw. She knows the Prinicpal isnt tellling the whole story. Now if she wanted to convince others of it that would take a different skill.

Okay cool, I’ll skip the Questioning roll then. :smallsmile: Now I just need to get away from Ms. Clyde…

[Bowerbird]

Gonna roll for Eleanor's Questioning check: [roll0]

Interesting, who wins in the event of a tie like that?

[LarsWester]

Well I did a bit of reading of the rulebook and came across something that says I've been ruling something wrong per the rules on page 92.
"Resisted tasks or tests use the same basic rule mentioned above. Both sides in the contest get to roll and add the appropriate Attribute or skill. If both fail (no one rolls over 9), neither side accomplishes the effect desired. If one fails and the other succeeds, the successful character prevails. If both succeed, the results are then compared, and the higher total result after adding and subtracting all modifiers, is the winner of the contest."
The bolded part is where I was playing things wrong. For example if a zombie attacked with an 8 but the defensive roll was a 5 I said that was a hit. I leave it to a players vote if we want to continue with contested rolls being decided by the higher result or if there is a mutual failure if neither roll beats a 9. I think I prefer it the way I've played it as 9 is actually a high bar on a d10+X. As for ties the only mention for this is during close combat which is a resisted task ties go to the defender. So I'm going to extrapolate that and say in this case the Principal is defending against your perception roll so wins the tie. But I think we can say that Eleanor is not totally convinced.

[LarsWester]

rolling to see how many tens i get extra on my arsenal check

[roll0]

senor ZM, a 31 on silus's weapon searching

That's an amazing roll. I'm trying to think of what reasonable reward can be given here. The setting is a closed down mall with a bunch of teens in it. I think I may just post describing the setting and letting you decide what is going to be your improvised weapon from your setting. Now with a 31 you are going to notice more details than you would with a lower roll but still going to leave it up to your imagination as to what in the normal setting of a mall food court Silus is going to decide to make his weapon. Silus is a weird kid hopefully he can find something in that description.

[Metastachydium]

Giselle is fine, I just want to throw Rebecca under the bus too make sure 'Becca doesn't get left out of the upcoming 'young lady this is not the sort of thing you joke about' lecture.

Oh! that's entirely fai… Wait, the zombies have a bus now?!


Anyone suspicious of the story that Klander is selling can roll a Perception + Questioning check versus Principal Klander Smooth Talking [roll0] to see that there's signs she is hiding something.

Sweet! Perception+Questioning, coming up: [roll0]

[LarsWester]

Oh! that's entirely fai… Wait, the zombies have a bus now?!



Sweet! Perception+Questioning, coming up: [roll0]

Well that seems to fit in line with Giselle's character.

[Metastachydium]

Well that seems to fit in line with Giselle's character.

So… What does she get for being six points ahead?

[LarsWester]

A BS meter going off. Giselle isn't buying what Principal Klander is selling one bit. Somethings that you've already pointed out. Katy mentioned that the rioters attacked Betsy. Principal Klander left that part out saying that they attacked the policewoman. If the situation is in hand than where is the policewoman. Giselle probably hates to admit it but she's likely to get more truth from Katy even if it's full of her dramatization or Rebecca she was up there too.

[LarsWester]

Applaud the effort to get the students at least all in one group. I was aiming for a minimum of two groups of students with John off doing his thing in the security offices.

[rogue_alchemist]

sorry to split off, but I don't know how else to help arm up for this in a reasonable way. He can't buy it with his resources and scavenging at his job seems a bit extreme at the moment.

[bramblefoot]

Applaud the effort to get the students at least all in one group. I was aiming for a minimum of two groups of students with John off doing his thing in the security offices.

mr ZM, im feeling silus finds a ball-peen hammer and a crowbar in some duffel bag left out by a careless craftsman. he will tuck them into his trenchcoat, and then mingle

[Bowerbird]

Applaud the effort to get the students at least all in one group. I was aiming for a minimum of two groups of students with John off doing his thing in the security offices.

That's what I was going for, but the teacher can always insist Eleanor find a different group because the current group's a little big. She's just quietly trying to figure out what's going on.

[LarsWester]

mr ZM, im feeling silus finds a ball-peen hammer and a crowbar in some duffel bag left out by a careless craftsman. he will tuck them into his trenchcoat, and then mingle
I mentioned a few things in my description that could be weapons. I can't logically rationalize a duffel bag left out in the open missed by mall security pre-event sweep. We can meet in the middle with a claw hammer that was used to setup the pumpkin target game and monkey wrench that was used to mount the movie screen.

[bramblefoot]

I mentioned a few things in my description that could be weapons. I can't logically rationalize a duffel bag left out in the open missed by mall security pre-event sweep. We can meet in the middle with a claw hammer that was used to setup the pumpkin target game and monkey wrench that was used to mount the movie screen.

that sounds acceptable

[Metastachydium]

Applaud the effort to get the students at least all in one group. I was aiming for a minimum of two groups of students with John off doing his thing in the security offices.


That's what I was going for, but the teacher can always insist Eleanor find a different group because the current group's a little big. She's just quietly trying to figure out what's going on.

You're all doing it wrong! Parties are supposed to be in the constant state of splitting!

[rogue_alchemist]

I figure John will just disappear for a bit. If you need me to write anything, let me know, but I stated the intentions and I'll wait til an update has him back somewhere central to post. I know it'll take time to get there and come back. He will follow Principal Klandar's suggestion to grab a radio and bring it back too.

[LarsWester]

Sure thing I would ask for at least one IC post of John in his office though. What's in there? What are his thoughts? Does he try to listen to the news before bringing a radio out? I can manage with the party split to for the time being. Vincent suggested that their group of 5? make the rounds of the outside doors and check that everything is locked down.


"Right. Let's start here, then?" Vincent suggested, pointing to the bottom of the theatre, to the doors on both sides. "These are fire doors. They'll lead right outside. If not immediately, then quickly enough. They're not meant to be opened from the outside, but it's almost trivial to pry them open. Depending on what kind they are, anything with a flatish bit, a crowbar, a hammer, even a flat screwdriver could get them loose."
Point of order the movie marathon wasn't occurring in an actual theatre they had set up a movie screen in the food court with the lights off and projected a movie onto the screen everyone is seating in like folding chairs. I may have not described this well previously, so that's on me. But there are mall entrance doors on the first floor that are probably around 100 feet away. If you consult the map on the first OOC post the movie marathon is the food court area with the screen towards the main hallway and the mall entrance behind all the chairs setup.

[Metastachydium]

Vincent suggested that their group of 5? make the rounds of the outside doors and check that everything is locked down.

Giselle also suggested they not do that, and began to trot off hoping she can locate Manny if she checks the most likely locations where he might be (starting with where she last saw him).

[bramblefoot]

personally, i feel silus' theme is glory glory hallelujah from wasteland 3


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcOPh5ltbAw

[LarsWester]

personally, i feel silus' theme is glory glory hallelujah from wasteland 3


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcOPh5ltbAw
Hmm interesting choice for someone from the South of USA. This song was the battle song for the North during the Civil War or the War of Northern Aggression if you ask the Sons of the Confederacy.

[bramblefoot]

Hmm interesting choice for someone from the South of USA. This song was the battle song for the North during the Civil War or the War of Northern Aggression if you ask the Sons of the Confederacy.

silus is probably a goddamn northerner. his fam is like the black sheep of this town, as they came down in the old carpetbagger rush, claimed some important resource vein, and used it up later

[LarsWester]

I think team teen needs to decide what they want to do.
A. Check the doors
B. Find Manny
C. Split and do both

[Metastachydium]

(I'll have it on the record that Giselle is ready to pull a C if she doesn't get traction with the others. Silus being Silus, his voicing his opinion probably helps her settle on that.)

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Katy and her Emotional Dependency flaw are going to prefer any plan that doesn’t involve splitting off from her friends.

[Bowerbird]

Oh so that's where the map is, I kept missing that part. I did wonder if we were using an actual mall floor plan. Just to check, if Eleanor's been standing quietly off to one side eavesdropping looking for Silus, how much conversation would have been overheard? I'm assuming probably just the regular text and none of the smaller whispered parts?

[LarsWester]

It sounds like option C is going to be what happens with maybe Silus, Vincent and Eleanor going to check the doors and Katy, Giselle, Becca and Josh going to find Manny. I mean you were just told to stay in groups of 5 so bear that in mind. Or will Vincent want to tag along as the group of 5 and leave Eleanor and Silus to check the doors. Eleanor probably overheard some of it but the small text would need like a 16 perception Notice check.

[Bowerbird]

Unlikely, but might as well try for that Perception check: [roll0] you never know, I might roll a 10. (Extra loud those panicky kids) I actually had an idea for the immediate doors at least, and we could probably all still stick together and look for this other person on the way to more distant doors, I'll post that up in a sec and we can go from there. Incidentally, I assume there's boards of some sort with maps of the mall on them, would it be reasonable enough for Eleanor to have the map committed to her Photographic Memory? Oh, and which entrance did all the commotion happen at btw? I'm seeing 4 total, I assume it was the one just below the food court on a different level?

[LarsWester]

Well sort of I made the mistake early on of mixing up the floors. Basically I missed the labels for the floors and thought the top floor was shown above the bottom floor but that's not the case so we are switching the floors for the game. Floor 1 has the food court and movie marathon. Floor 2 was the scene of the attack, at the doors to the top right of the map's Floor One, which in our game is Floor Two.

[Bowerbird]

I'm assuming people are still figuring out what to do. Eleanor'll be against splitting the group (Teacher said minimum of 5 people), I'm assuming with the closest doors taken care of we can do both objectives at once, check for Giselle's 'friend' on the way to check other doors?

[Kinro]

Vincent will want to stick with Rebecca, if possible, also, his intent was to try to make sure the doors stay closed, not to open them.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

The bathrooms Manny was hanging outside initially were the same ones directly off the food court where the movies were being shown, and that’s where we are now, is that correct? I know I had Katy fleeing in that direction. It looks like there are actually two bathrooms in that area.

[bramblefoot]

The bathrooms Manny was hanging outside initially were the same ones directly off the food court where the movies were being shown, and that’s where we are now, is that correct? I know I had Katy fleeing in that direction. It looks like there are actually two bathrooms in that area.

silus will be following vincent someone needs to make sure they dont end up as zombie food

[bramblefoot]

nother ten!

[roll0]

19 total intimidation check

[Bowerbird]

Well presumably we're all going to stop by the bathrooms so Giselle can check for Manny, then head onwards to check doors together

[LarsWester]

Quick message to say sorry for going dark there for a bit. On vacation for the holidays and now my wife has covid and I have the two kids to watch so not sure when I will be able to post.

[LarsWester]

Quick FYI Bramblefoot. I don't allow for intimidation type rolls to influence other PCs. They work from PC to NPC and vice versa but not between PCs that gets too close to force other players to play your way.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Quick message to say sorry for going dark there for a bit. On vacation for the holidays and now my wife has covid and I have the two kids to watch so not sure when I will be able to post.

:smallfrown: Hope your wife feels better soon and that your holiday is otherwise enjoyable!

[Metastachydium]

Quick message to say sorry for going dark there for a bit. On vacation for the holidays and now my wife has covid and I have the two kids to watch so not sure when I will be able to post.

Understood and sorry to hear that. Better days for you all soon!

[Bowerbird]

Quick message to say sorry for going dark there for a bit. On vacation for the holidays and now my wife has covid and I have the two kids to watch so not sure when I will be able to post.

All good! Health and happiness comes first, hope everything gets better for you all!

[LarsWester]

Well vacation away from the internet completed. Now to get caught up on work. Soon to get caught up on posts. Just posting here to let everyone know I'm still around. Should get something up by end of day today.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Well vacation away from the internet completed. Now to get caught up on work. Soon to get caught up on posts. Just posting here to let everyone know I'm still around. Should get something up by end of day today.

Welcome back! 😄

[Metastachydium]

Well vacation away from the internet completed. Now to get caught up on work. Soon to get caught up on posts. Just posting here to let everyone know I'm still around. Should get something up by end of day today.

So it begins continues!

[bramblefoot]

alrighty lars. waits patiently

"are we there yet?"

:smallbiggrin:

[LarsWester]

Man work went nuts yesterday. Happens when you are out for 7 business days. I finally got caught up. My December calendar is insane. I'll probably be limited to one post a day for most of the month. If you feel I've neglected something be sure to post here in the OOC. Now back to the IC thread. As I said in OOC I don't allow intimidation or most other social checks from one PC to another. It seems too much like forcing another player to play a specific way. However that massive intimidation roll is going to get a reaction from some of the NPCs hanging around.
If I have it right the plan was everyone together go try to find Manny (last seen on the first floor bathroom located tucked in section B of the mall near the mall office. There aren't really any doors to check on the way. Silus wanted to break off and check the doors though the doors by the food court were handled by Eleanor telling the teacher to get someone to close them. Speaking of doors there are two mall entrance doors upstairs in section F (the door Betsy left through) and section E. Downstairs there are two doors at section D (near the food court the teacher was handling) and Section C. The closest doors are in Section F which the kids can take the Elevator up by the bathrooms.

Mall Security offices are on the second floor in Section F. Actually really close to where the action occurred so John would have just stepped into his office. I hate that I messed up the floors but remember anywhere you see an opening on the map's level two it's there on the map's level one which is the games level two.

[Metastachydium]

Man work went nuts yesterday. Happens when you are out for 7 business days. I finally got caught up. My December calendar is insane. I'll probably be limited to one post a day for most of the month. If you feel I've neglected something be sure to post here in the OOC.

No worries! A post a day is, in fact, super fast as PbP goes. (Also, I bid thee strength in soldiering through that calendar!)

[LarsWester]

"I agree," Vincent said when Rebecca refused to go to the second floor. "We should stick to to checking out the ground floor. That's where they'll be trying to get in." Of course, he'd likely have agreed to just about anything just to stay around where she was.
To clarify there are mall entrances on both floors. The parking lot slopes upwards outside as it winds around the mall. The entrances on the North are on the 2nd floor and the South are on the lower level. Like many malls there are also doors directly at both levels of the tentpole stores.

[bramblefoot]

to quote the joker

"when the chips are down, these civilized people, theyll eat each other"

in case you cant tell, silus is a big law of the jungle person

[Metastachydium]

both levels of the tentpole stores.

I didn't know camping is so huge in the US you need two-storey shops for just the tentpoles!


to quote the joker

"when the chips are down, these civilized people, theyll eat each other"

Whoa, I'm pretty sure by "e-everybody loses their minds" he dodn't mean "their brains get eaten"!


in case you cant tell, silus is a big law of the jungle person

Well, as gentleman once said, "[t]here's only one rule in the jungle: when the lion gets hungry he EATS!"

[Kareeah_Indaga]

I didn't know camping is so huge in the US you need two-storey shops for just the tentpoles!

:smallbiggrin:


Well, as gentleman once said, "[t]here's only one rule in the jungle: when the lion gets hungry he EATS!"

That reminds me, I guess we'll need to wait to find out if this flavor of the zombie apocalypse affects animals. And if there are any trains head to Busan, I vote we stay off them! :smallwink:

[LarsWester]

I didn't know camping is so huge in the US you need two-storey shops for just the tentpoles!

Apparently I've been using the wrong term or just a regional term for these type of stores and the more correct term is "Anchor" store. Basically just the larger stores that support the rest of the shops in the mall by drawing larger numbers of customers.


Also Silus is a weird kid.
"Follow me. Let's go check the doors" all menacingly
Eleanor follows him
Later "Why are you following me?" all threateningly

[bramblefoot]

he has the paranoia drawback

what do you expect?

[Metastachydium]

That reminds me, I guess we'll need to wait to find out if this flavor of the zombie apocalypse affects animals. And if there are any trains head to Busan, I vote we stay off them! :smallwink:

Definitely! I'd also add "socializing with raccoons carrying umbrellas" to the list of things not to do while at that. Who knows what evil might reside in the hearts of such beasts?


Apparently I've been using the wrong term or just a regional term for these type of stores and the more correct term is "Anchor" store. Basically just the larger stores that support the rest of the shops in the mall by drawing larger numbers of customers.

No worries, I wasn't familiar with either term as such, and going all literal on it was too tempting not to do it.


Also Silus is a weird kid.
"Follow me. Let's go check the doors" all menacingly
Eleanor follows him
Later "Why are you following me?" all threateningly

Weird doesn't even begin to describe that guy. But then,
1. he's a violent rural kid apparently hoping he'll grow up to be a full nightmare fuel station attendant, with a father who's seen the prison system from the inside;
2. and Eleanor works for the MAN!

[LarsWester]

Ok few points.
1. Running on fumes right now. Work is busy. Kids are sick. I am getting less than 4 hours of sleep a night due to the young sick kids.
2. I owe a post and will try to get one up soon moving forward everyone.
3. Rogue Alchemist has been offline since 11/24 so Mall Cop John is going to be NPC'd for a little while starting with my post in point 2 which release is influenced by point 1.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Ok few points.
1. Running on fumes right now. Work is busy. Kids are sick. I am getting less than 4 hours of sleep a night due to the young sick kids.

Yikes, sorry to hear that! :smallfrown: Take the time you need, real life comes first.

[Metastachydium]

Ok few points.
1. Running on fumes right now. Work is busy. Kids are sick. I am getting less than 4 hours of sleep a night due to the young sick kids.
2. I owe a post and will try to get one up soon moving forward everyone.
3. Rogue Alchemist has been offline since 11/24 so Mall Cop John is going to be NPC'd for a little while starting with my post in point 2 which release is influenced by point 1.

You don't owe us a damn thing as such either! Take care, post as you can! (And hey, maybe that will give Rogue Alchemist the time to reappear!)

[bramblefoot]

meanwhile, mr creepy creep is of the opinion there is nothing worse than a minder. except disposal is remarkably easy!

if the zoms come in, push her and run!

[Kareeah_Indaga]

FYI - Christmas shenanigans begin for me this week, starting Tuesday I will have limited availability through most of the rest of the end of the year.

[Metastachydium]

Might be spotty myselfstarting this weekend, but will keep an eye out for updates.

[LarsWester]

We will be starting up again in the new year if people are interested in continuing. Please let me know if you're still around and waiting for me to get this game going again.

[Kinro]

I'm still around and ready.

[Metastachydium]

YES. So absolutely yes on all counts!

[bramblefoot]

silus is still here!

[Kareeah_Indaga]

I’m here and still interested.

[Bowerbird]

Also still here!

[LarsWester]

Alright so that's everyone but our mall cop who I'll just NPC. Rogue Alchemist has been off the boards for over a month and I just hope he's ok out there in RL at this point.

Been a while so just trying to catch up. For the future Bramblefoot we have a map (I just fixed the floor confusion) in the first post of this thread. I might be good to review it. For example the full group of kids went to the bathrooms on the first floor. The elevator is right there. The stairs, purple dots, are in the center of the mall and all the way at the other end of the mall. There's a set of escalators that are closer and in a power failure escalators just become stairs.

So my rereading we have Katy, Gisselle, Rebecca and Vincent near Manny and his pals outside the bathroom on the first floor in section B.

We also have Silus, Josh, and Eleanor checking the doors on the second floor but per Bramblefoot going out of their way to use the stairs assuming in the middle of the mall. Or we can retcon to them using the elevator or escalator. I just need to know where this trio is approaching the 2nd floor because Mall Security John and Principal Klander are on the 2nd floor and I need to know if the trio is coming up next to them. I'll make a post updating this trio once I know their firm plans on getting to the 2nd floor.

[Metastachydium]

A real pity. He was the best of us (players in terms of understanding the rules and had a cool character too)!

[LarsWester]

A real pity. He was the best of us (players in terms of understanding the rules and had a cool character too)!
I know I will miss his knowledge of the rules but I will try my best. This is my first game running AFMBE so if you think I missed something say something.

[LarsWester]

Katy was just watching the exchange go back and forth, though at the revelation that there might be rioters breaking in at this very moment she gulped and looked around.

[roll0]

Includes Notice and Perception, add another +2 if Acute Hearing counts towards this.

…and I don’t actually expect to notice anything regardless of the result, I just don’t have much to add to the conversation presently.

Rule of 10 there requires a second d10 with what amounts to a -5 modifier. Ignore a negative result, add a positive result to 14. Or you could go with a +9 modifier and cap with a min of 14.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Rule of 10 there requires a second d10 with what amounts to a -5 modifier. Ignore a negative result, add a positive result to 14. Or you could go with a +9 modifier and cap with a min of 14.

Oh right.

Rule of 10 roll:
[roll0]

[LarsWester]

still a 16 considering Acute Hearing deserves something...
I've updated my last IC post

[bramblefoot]

personally, i feel silus would want to avoid the law. hes a criminal boy

[LarsWester]

Got it but the thing is Silus doesn't have eyes on the second floor so he doesn't know where the mall cop is right now. I just need to know how you plan to get up there by you looking at the map and telling me. Options listed in order of closest proximity are East elevator, East escalator, Central stairs, Central elevator, Western escalator, Western stairs. The food court is at the Southeastern corner. The restrooms were Manny was is the Northeastern corner.
There are exterior mall doors at the following locations 1st floor Southeast corner, 1st Floor Southwest corner, 2nd Floor Northeast corner, 2nd Floor Northwest corner. The engagement occurred at the 2nd floor Northeast corner. Eleanor had the teacher go check the doors at the 1st floor Southeast corner. Which door was Silus and company heading to and how were they getting to the second floor?

[bramblefoot]

lets start the farthest away from where she is

lets start at 2nd floor northwest

[bramblefoot]

personally silus is not too happy with the student council girl on his tail, but hey, if the zombies come, eleanor is first on the meal list, 'specially if she gets tripped

:smallbiggrin:

silus is not a big fan of law-abiding people. he considers them soft and lambs to the slaughter

[Bowerbird]

Simple Intelligence check with a -2: [roll0]

[bramblefoot]

simple intelligence check

[roll0]

[Bowerbird]

Ah wait, a simple test is dice + double the attribute, yes? If that's double the attribute then -2 then Eleanor and Silus would have both gotten an 8

[Bowerbird]

and apparently I completely forgot to add tags to that roll so: [roll0]

Edit: Dang, dice roller hates Eleanor apparently.

[LarsWester]

Ah wait, a simple test is dice + double the attribute, yes? If that's double the attribute then -2 then Eleanor and Silus would have both gotten an 8
Which is a failure btw. 9+ is a success. With every 2 greater 9 being a degree of success better. So neither of your characters should *know* that the orange haze is a fire might guess that but really should be a bit more of a mystery from this distance with those rolls. Nothing further noticed by Eleanor.

[Bowerbird]

Which is a failure btw. 9+ is a success. With every 2 greater 9 being a degree of success better. So neither of your characters should *know* that the orange haze is a fire might guess that but really should be a bit more of a mystery from this distance with those rolls. Nothing further noticed by Eleanor.

Ah I see that bit now, I did skim through the book just to try and see how rolls worked, and got thrown off by the Difficulty Numbers Table rather than the Basic Rule section. Eleanor's mostly just snapping back at Silus anyways.

[LarsWester]

yeah the rulebook is not the easiest to follow. Not the worst either but still could be clearer.

[Metastachydium]

Hey. All's good on all ends? (I don't mean to sound impatient, but my teenage horror victim's not going to just eat herself, you know.)

[LarsWester]

Work's been crazy recently with me flying around the US. I'll see what I can advance later. I didn't get a hold of John's player and he bowed out not a good time in RL for him right now. In the meantime if I can get a Perception/Notice check from Silus as he came up to the exterior doors that would tell me how much info I need to post.

[Bowerbird]

Notice check for Eleanor: [roll0]

[bramblefoot]

silus notice

[roll0]

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Hello? I know the forums have been in poor condition lately, but is anyone else still here?

[bramblefoot]

grins psychotically

still here

[Metastachydium]

I'm very much still here too!

[Bowerbird]

Also still here!

[LarsWester]

I had a busy period at work and when I had time to access the site it was always too slow to be functional. The site is working now and I hope to get caught up with my games today.

[Metastachydium]

I had a busy period at work and when I had time to access the site it was always too slow to be functional. The site is working now and I hope to get caught up with my games today.

Great! (Not the you've been busy bit, the you're not busy and the Forums live again bit.) Thanks for the update!

[Metastachydium]

AFMBE is D10 based not D20.

And I even know that! Sorry. Let's give that another go: [roll0]

[Bowerbird]

(Still frozen in time, waiting to see the result of our notice checks btw. Both results were 9, I believe.)

[Metastachydium]

Let's listen some, in the meantime: [roll0] (Perception, +2 Situational Awareness). (Also, I did start wondering whatever might be going on with Eleanor and the Creep over there on the other side.)

[bramblefoot]

im back! sorry, depression decided to come calling