Meguca Micro Empire Quest (PMMM)

[Elder Haman]

boonerunners plan just reintroduces the dangers of trying to get too tricky in handling this, in addition to the more aggressive tactics Kinematics is favoring.

After sleeping on it I will be sticking with my original vote. I want to play it safe and be cautious. As my vote ends with attempting to locate the sniper and accomplices after recovering the cell phone we may still have the opportunity to switch to more aggressive tactics after we understand the tactical situation better.

 

[boonerunner]

boonerunners plan just reintroduces the dangers of trying to get too tricky in handling this.

Click to shrink...

I'm a bit torn about this, honestly. On the one hand, creating a bunch of phantasms right from the start would create the biggest distraction. But it would also make it obvious that they're just illusions. If the sniper can't tell the difference between the phantasms and the original, then that's fine, all those extras running around will make Kyouko safer. However, if the sniper can tell the difference (once she knows what to look for), we would be better off with a more subtle approach: creating just a few phantasms and using misdirection to hide the fact that they're not real.

You also have a point about being overly aggressive before we fully understand the situation. I removed the last 3 lines; we can decide whether or not the aggressive approach is warranted later on.

 

[Aranfan]

[x] Use Rosa Phantasma to create multiple phantasms in order to confuse the sniper.
-[x] Create phantasms only when behind cover and try to to alternate movement so that your actions could be mistaken for short-range teleportation.
[x] Continue evasive maneuvers: low to the ground, erratic bursts of speed, randomly changing directions every few seconds, keeping to cover.
[x] Once you shake the sniper (ie: they're tracking one of the phantasms), use illusion magic for camouflage.
[x] Loop back around to the starting position and pick up the cellphone (staying hidden as much as possible).
-[x] Ask what Ayako can see about the sniper or any accomplices.
-[x] Tell Ayako, Mariko, and Sora to stick together and to come join us, but to be on guard along the way.
[x] Try to locate the position of the sniper. She will probably be located on high ground between here and the demon spawn point. Also be alert for any other accomplices in the area.
-[x] If the sniper is alone, use phantasm clones, while we stay hidden with illusion, charging the sniper's position.
-[x] Force her to break and run, but attack her if you can catch up before she gets too far.
-[x] Incapacitate, retrieve any enemy comm devices, and take the soul gem.

 

[Elder Haman]

Why are people being so aggressive and taking risks with Kyouko's life?

 

[Aranfan]

Because I see it as in character for Kyoko to be aggressive.

 

[landcollector]

[X] Elder Haman

 

[boonerunner]

Why are people being so aggressive and taking risks with Kyouko's life?

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Our enemy is a sniper: she is trying to avoid danger by staying at range. Kyouko, on the other hand, is best at close combat. Closing in quickly is aggressive, but (in theory) it's a sound tactic. The trick is to do so without taking any unnecessary risks in the process.

My vote (as it currently stands) has Kyouko reconsider after talking to Ayako and trying to figure out the position of the sniper. But if it looks like we're only dealing with a single sniper, I will probably vote to charge (while hidden by camouflage and covered by phantasms) in the following update.

 

[inverted_helix]

So that's what, 2 votes for haman, 2 for boonerunner, and kinematics? Though they aren't really all that different.

Was kind of disappointed couldn't update last night to keep speed up (since these are really short updates so it will take a fair few to complete this mini-event), but really given the stakes suppose it's reasonable people want to think about it more.

 

[boonerunner]

Distance is too great. Same reason you needed cell phones at all.

Click to shrink...

The sniper is pretty close. Would it be possible to initiate telepathy with her?

 

[Elder Haman]

Our enemy is a sniper: she is trying to avoid danger by staying at range. Kyouko, on the other hand, is best at close combat. Closing in quickly is aggressive, but (in theory) it's a sound tactic. The trick is to do so without taking any unnecessary risks in the process.

My vote (as it currently stands) has Kyouko reconsider after talking to Ayako and trying to figure out the position of the sniper. But if it looks like we're only dealing with a single sniper, I will probably vote to charge (while hidden by camouflage and covered by phantasms) in the following update.

Click to shrink...

That's not my main complaint with your vote.

You're trying to be tricky in how you use Kyouko's illusions. Instead of just putting them out and neutralizing the threat, you are taking on extra risk so that you can try and trick the sniper into thinking there are no illusions.

 

[boonerunner]

That's not my main complaint with your vote.

You're trying to be tricky in how you use Kyouko's illusions. Instead of just putting them out and neutralizing the threat, you are taking on extra risk so that you can try and trick the sniper into thinking there are no illusions.

Click to shrink...

My goal is to maximize the confusion in the sniper so that she focuses on the wrong target. One approach is to spawn as many phantasms as possible so that the sniper is overwhelmed with targets. The downside of this approach is that it is obvious, and once the initial shock wears off, it's possible that the sniper could identify the real Kyouko and ignore the phantasms. The other approach is to be tricky and try to make a few phantasm which can be confused for the real Kyouko (i.e. they move and dodge realistically and possibly confuse the target into thinking she has a teleportation ability); this method would yield fewer potential targets, but (in theory) each target would be more likely to be mistaken for Kyouko and it is more likely to confuse the sniper for longer.

Both methods have pros and cons, but I'm leaning more towards the subtle approach.

 

[Kinematics]

OK, discussion is stalled.

I think everyone is pretty clear on goals and general methods available. The only question is whether to play aggressive against the sniper, or sneaky. So, just do a quick vote on that and let helix start on the update?

It's a series of short updates; let's keep it moving rather than treating it as a full-turn decision.

Current tally:

Vote Tally : Meguca Micro Empire Quest (PMMM) | Page 139 | Sufficient Velocity
##### NetTally 1.0.8
[X] Use Rosa Phantasmia to create multiple doppelgangers in order to confuse the sniper.
[X] Continue evasive maneuvers: low to the ground, erratic bursts of speed, randomly changing directions every few seconds, keeping to cover.
[X] Once you shake the sniper, use illusion magic for camouflage.
[X] If you can do so while remaining hidden, loop back around to the starting position and pick up the cellphone.
[X] Try to locate the position of the sniper. She will probably be located on high ground between here and the demon spawn point. Also be alert for any other accomplices in the area.
No. of Votes: 2

Spoiler: Voters

Elder Haman
landcollector

[X] Use Rosa Phantasma to create multiple doppelgangers in order to confuse the sniper.
[X] Continue evasive maneuvers: low to the ground, erratic bursts of speed, randomly changing directions every few seconds, keeping to cover.
[X] Once you shake the sniper (ie: they're tracking one of the phantasms), use illusion magic for camouflage.
[X] Loop back around to the starting position and pick up the cellphone (staying hidden as much as possible).
[X] Try to locate the position of the sniper. She will probably be located on high ground between here and the demon spawn point. Also be alert for any other accomplices in the area.
[X] Mass surge of phantasm clones, charging the sniper's position (unless other accomplices have been found).
-[X] Force her to break and run, but eliminate her if you can catch up before she gets too far.
-[X] Incapacitate, retrieve any comm devices, and take the soul gem.
[X] Catch back up with Ayako and the other vets.
No. of Votes: 1

Spoiler: Voters

Kinematics

[x] Use Rosa Phantasma to create multiple phantasms in order to confuse the sniper.
-[x] Create phantasms only when behind cover and try to to alternate movement so that your actions could be mistaken for short-range teleportation.
[x] Continue evasive maneuvers: low to the ground, erratic bursts of speed, randomly changing directions every few seconds, keeping to cover.
[x] Once you shake the sniper (ie: they're tracking one of the phantasms), use illusion magic for camouflage.
[x] Loop back around to the starting position and pick up the cellphone (staying hidden as much as possible).
-[x] Ask what Ayako can see about the sniper or any accomplices.
-[x] Tell Ayako, Mariko, and Sora to stick together and to come join us, but to be on guard along the way.
[x] Try to locate the position of the sniper. She will probably be located on high ground between here and the demon spawn point. Also be alert for any other accomplices in the area.
No. of Votes: 1

Spoiler: Voters

boonerunner

[x] Use Rosa Phantasma to create multiple phantasms in order to confuse the sniper.
-[x] Create phantasms only when behind cover and try to to alternate movement so that your actions could be mistaken for short-range teleportation.
[x] Continue evasive maneuvers: low to the ground, erratic bursts of speed, randomly changing directions every few seconds, keeping to cover.
[x] Once you shake the sniper (ie: they're tracking one of the phantasms), use illusion magic for camouflage.
[x] Loop back around to the starting position and pick up the cellphone (staying hidden as much as possible).
-[x] Ask what Ayako can see about the sniper or any accomplices.
-[x] Tell Ayako, Mariko, and Sora to stick together and to come join us, but to be on guard along the way.
[x] Try to locate the position of the sniper. She will probably be located on high ground between here and the demon spawn point. Also be alert for any other accomplices in the area.
-[x] If the sniper is alone, use phantasm clones, while we stay hidden with illusion, charging the sniper's position.
-[x] Force her to break and run, but attack her if you can catch up before she gets too far.
-[x] Incapacitate, retrieve any enemy comm devices, and take the soul gem.
No. of Votes: 1

Spoiler: Voters

Aranfan

Total No. of Voters: 5

Click to shrink...

Haman's actually stops at the point where the rest diverge (either aggressive or sneaky). Going with Haman's vote would just put off that decision, but at least we'd be making progress. I'm willing to go with that just to move things along.

[x] Elder Haman

Might perhaps want to limit how many lines we can use in a vote during these, and maybe a time limit, to prevent it going too far into micro-debates.

 

[inverted_helix]

Haman's actually stops at the point where the rest diverge (either aggressive or sneaky). Going with Haman's vote would just put off that decision, but at least we'd be making progress. I'm willing to go with that just to move things along.

[x] Elder Haman

Might perhaps want to limit how many lines we can use in a vote during these, and maybe a time limit, to prevent it going too far into micro-debates.

Click to shrink...

Alright I'll update with this.

That is something to consider. I'm doing these micro updates right now since don't have time to work on the full one (I really spend most the time thinking about the world and overanalyzing everything and less time writing), but it is something different so there's some major kinks to work out.

I'm really liking that people are considering a bit how Kyouko would respond though, even though I'm not much good myself at characterization.

 

[inverted_helix]

Mini Event 2-3
​

You keep dashing about the ground this way and that. The shooter seems to care little at all for anything you might use as cover, though there's nothing here besides trees big enough to use as cover. You don't dare stop or keep going in any one direction for more than a moment. You zig and zag and double back entirely. With a shred of concentration not focused on not dying you begin splitting off duplicates, the Rosa Phantasmia Mami helped you make so long ago coming to you much easier.

The fire continues tracking you for a few more rounds before slackening. There's a hesitance as half a dozen of you fan out.

Then you try and cloak yourself from view after getting behind a tree. The sniper locks back onto the real you. Shrapnel from the closest round yet peppers your skin with tiny cuts. You shut down the sensations. She was fooled by the first trick but apparently invisibility can deal with.

You give up the invisibility spell as useless and just distinguishing which one of you is the real one. You spin off yet more duplicates flecked with blood and flood the area.

You try not to let yourself standout this time, but make your way back to your dropped phone regardless. You still haven't managed to see her location. Certainly not deeper in the woods though. You suspect she's on one of the taller buildings from the way you came from.

A quick rush by your clones covers you as you sweep up your phone with a carefully manipulated spear. That seems to have acted as a signal though, as after another few seconds the shots abruptly halt. There's a teleport flare and you suspect your attacker has left.

You keep moving for a while just in case though. The call to Ayako is still open, but she's not on the other end.


----------------------
Delay after delay. Hopefully have a bit more time now and can work on the main update somewhat.

 

[Aranfan]

Damn, they got away with valuable Intel on kyoko's abilities.

 

[boonerunner]

Well, at least Kyouko is no longer being shot at, so that's good. But the silence on the phone is ominous. It also sounds like Kyouko was dealing with at least two opponents: a talented clairvoyant (the sniper) who was able to see through cover (including invisibility) and a teleporter. Also: the enemy continues to follow the tactic of staying hidden and trying to avoid danger.

@inverted_helix: you said you can work on the main update, does that mean the mini-turns are over?

If we're still doing stuff, we have the following options
1. Keep the call open, see if you can hear anything from the other side.
2. Call for support from the Elites in the North (via teleportation).
3. Call for a status update from the other dispatch clairvoyants.
4. Call Mariko/Sora (probably a bad idea if they're hiding right now).
5. Try to find the sniper's post to look for clues (and to make sure that she's actually gone).
6. Summon Kyoclone.
7. Rush to the apartment.
8. Hide.
9. Fight the demon.
10. Counterattack.
11. Talk to Kyuubey.

 

[Kinematics]

Teleporter and a clairvoyant that's able to see through invisibility (or at least the basic method Kyouko used; there's lots of ways should could be detecting Kyouko), but can't distinguish between Kyouko and her clones.

We want to notify central dispatch of the issue. Ayako hasn't done that, given that the call is still open. If Kyouko calls, that will close her current call to Ayako, though. Not sure if there's any value in holding it open (we have no means of tracing the location or otherwise manipulating things on that end), but as soon as we close it, it's unlikely we'll be able to get it back.

They managed to delay Kyouko for a couple minutes, at least. That's probably "enough" for their goal. Given that Ayako's not there, there's probably a good chance that she's been captured, or is in her own pressed situation.

How far are we from the apartments? Is it faster for Kyouko to get there herself, or have a group from central teleport in? A teleporter will be useless afterwards if she does that, and has a limited number of people she can bring, unless it's Seto (who may or may not be in the Nomad area right now).

Since the sniper is no longer after us, we have an opening for getting Kyouclone out. We've given them information on Kyouko's powers, so we can expect them to be taking that into account. Kyouclone would be a trump they don't expect. Given Kyouko's tactics in this firefight, they will also expect invisibility, and will likely assume an invisible target (if they can detect one) is the real Kyouko.

The other option is rushing back to the apartment base.

Given the delaying tactic, I would assume the enemy will have delayed us enough that Kyouko rushing back will not be able to get there before they complete their action at the locale. They'll also anticipate Kyouko calling in teleporter reinforcements, which would be why they didn't bother sticking around after Kyouko recovered the phone.


Option 1: Run to apartment; meet up with incoming squad; create Kyouclone.
Option 2: Create Kyouclone; meet up with incoming squad at apartment.

The incoming squad teleporting in will be at risk if their arrival area hasn't been cleared.

Kyouko doesn't have much in the way of tracking capabilities.

I'm thinking: Get to apartment ASAP; clear it as an arrival zone for the support squad; summon Kyouclone while waiting for them to arrive.

Risk is if the enemy clairvoyant is watching the apartment now. We currently have breathing room to summon Kyouclone without being spotted. They could have booby-trapped the place, and could set it off as soon as anyone arrives.

Because the sniper evacuated, we're actually now in what is probably the safest place to summon in reinforcements.


[x] Call central dispatch, and give a quick summary of the current situation.
-[x] Request a full squad (don't rush a partial squad) be teleported in as support for the apartment complex area. Multiple enemy groups seem to be part of this attack.
--[x] Full squad includes a clairvoyant and a healer, along with hunter types. Since we have a teleporter already on duty for the hunting groups, and the hunters already armored up, getting everyone together and teleported out here should be fairly quick.
-[x] Request the squad bring in a spare suit of kevlar.
-[x] Teleport in to Kyouko's current location.
-[x] Where is Mami right now?
[x] While waiting on answers and the squad arrival, summon Kyouclone. Armor her up once the support group arrives.
[x] Have Kyouclone turn invisible.
[x] Move out at top speed towards the apartments.
[x] Expect traps at the apartment area, including used cubes for new demon bombs. Be prepared to defuse anything found.


Note that I'm not certain about this, as I don't know exactly how I was to approach the Ayako situation. Comments?

 

[boonerunner]

There are two possibilities for the Ayako situation:
1. She's already kidnapped/killed. If this is the case, then Kyouko should wait for backup.
2. She's on the run. If this is the case, then Kyouko needs to get to her ASAP.
Maybe we can ask the central dispatch clairvoyants if they can determine Ayako's status?

Also: just because no bullets are flying and Kyouko detected a teleportation signature does not mean that the sniper is gone. It's still possible that this was a trap designed to make Kyouko relax and stop dodging. Maybe we should check out the rooftops before we start summoning Kyouclone?

 

[inverted_helix]

@inverted_helix: you said you can work on the main update, does that mean the mini-turns are over?

Click to shrink...

No not yet. Still going to take me a while on the main update and I have to figure out how to price/balance espionage. (And still rather busy, just less so.)

Also I should point out that Ayako was your clairvoyant/dispatch for this region. I saw some indications in earlier votes that people might be forgetting that your clairvoyants = your dispatch. I'm kind of tempted to say clairvoyants have a limited max range, but not sure on full balance considerations.

 

[boonerunner]

How about this:

[x] Call Mami, and give a quick summary of the current situation.
-[x] Request a full squad (don't rush a partial squad) be teleported in as support for the apartment complex area. Multiple enemy groups seem to be part of this attack.
--[x] Full squad includes a clairvoyant and a healer, along with hunter types. Since we have a teleporter already on duty for the hunting groups, and the hunters already armored up, getting everyone together and teleported out here should be fairly quick.
--[x] Request the squad bring in a spare suit of Kevlar.
--[x] Teleport in to Kyouko's current location.
--[x] Where are the other elites right now?
[x] Quickly check the rooftops around the sniper's last suspected location to make sure that the sniper has actually left.
[x] While waiting on answers and the squad arrival, summon Kyouclone. Armor her up once the support group arrives.
[x] Have Kyouclone turn invisible.
[x] Move out at top speed towards the apartments.
[x] Expect traps at the apartment area, including used cubes for new demon bombs. Be prepared to defuse anything found.

Edit: I changed it from calling Central Dispatch to calling Mami, since it turns out that the Clairvoyants there are out of range. Also rephrased the scouting option to make it clear that Kyouko would be looking for the sniper, not for detective clues.

 

[Kinematics]

Also I should point out that Ayako was your clairvoyant/dispatch for this region. I saw some indications in earlier votes that people might be forgetting that your clairvoyants = your dispatch. I'm kind of tempted to say clairvoyants have a limited max range, but not sure on full balance considerations.

Click to shrink...

Not sure if this is about mine. I was suggesting calling (via cell phone) the clairvoyants/dispatch in the northern area, and that we need one brought down to the south with the support squad (via teleporter). Not sure where range comes into it, unless it's about the sniper. I would expect non-elites to have a fairly limited max range (and probably higher concentration needed the larger the range); elites are probably also still limited, but have a large enough range that that doesn't matter most of the time.

-[x] Ask if they can see anything about Ayako/Mariko/Sora.

Click to shrink...

Isn't this was helix just said was going to (possibly) be limited?

[x] Scout the rooftops around the sniper's last suspected location.

Click to shrink...

I don't see this as being useful. The possibility of them leaving anything behind is near nil, and Kyouko isn't a detective.

 

[Elder Haman]

Damn, they got away with valuable Intel on kyoko's abilities.

Click to shrink...

We were ambushed by what seems to be a pretty powerful duo. I think we should consider escape without serious injury as a win.

[X] Move and clear the area, find an location you believe is not watched by enemy girls
[X] Call Mami, tell her what is happening and that she needs to get a stronger reaction force down here right away. You assure her that you are going to go check on the rest of her girls.
[X] Summon Kyouko Clone
[X] Together make best speed for the apartment, keeping an eye out for Sora, Mariko, and Ayako

This seems the more in character thing for Kyouko. She wouldn't call dispatch at this point, she'd just call Mami directly. I think we should summon KyoClone first. Either the other girls are fine, in which case the order does not matter, or the other girls are incapacitated in which case combat will likely ensue as soon as we arrive at the apartment. So we ought to be ready for it.

 

[boonerunner]

-[x] Ask if they can see anything about Ayako/Mariko/Sora.

Click to shrink...

Isn't this was helix just said was going to (possibly) be limited?

Click to shrink...

inverted_helix has not yet said that the Iwata is out of range of Clairvoyants in Mitakihara. And we do have one Elite Clairvoyant (Taya) who might be able to see them even if the veterans cannot.

[x] Scout the rooftops around the sniper's last suspected location.

Click to shrink...

I don't see this as being useful. The possibility of them leaving anything behind is near nil, and Kyouko isn't a detective.

Click to shrink...

I'm not expecting Kyouko to find clues. What I'm doing is playing it safe. We detected a teleport occurring and the bullets stopped flying. That means that the sniper is probably gone, but it's not proof. It would be sensible to check to make sure and that probably would not take very long: Kyouko just needs to get up high (in a tree or another rooftop) and give the nearby rooftops a visual once-over.

This seems the more in character thing for Kyouko. She wouldn't call dispatch at this point, she'd just call Mami directly. I think we should summon KyoClone first. Either the other girls are fine, in which case the order does not matter, or the other girls are incapacitated in which case combat will likely ensue as soon as we arrive at the apartment. So we ought to be ready for it.

Click to shrink...

The primary reason that Kyouko would have to call dispatch is if she expected their clairvoyant skills to be useful. Currently, I expect that they would be useful (although inverted_helix has yet to decide for sure on the subject). The one case where speed would be more important than summoning Kyouclone is if the other girls are neither fine nor incapacitated, but currently in the middle of (or attempting to escape from) combat. If that is the case then Kyouko would need to reach them with all possible haste. But she cannot know what their condition is unless she first receives guidance from a Clairvoyant. Hence the reason to call dispatch before Mami.

 

[inverted_helix]

Not sure if this is about mine. I was suggesting calling (via cell phone) the clairvoyants/dispatch in the northern area, and that we need one brought down to the south with the support squad (via teleporter). Not sure where range comes into it, unless it's about the sniper. I would expect non-elites to have a fairly limited max range (and probably higher concentration needed the larger the range); elites are probably also still limited, but have a large enough range that that doesn't matter most of the time.

Click to shrink...

Maybe we can ask the central dispatch clairvoyants if they can determine Ayako's status?

Click to shrink...

I was referring to the request to have clairvoyants at HQ scan for Ayako, I'm thinking of Iwata being out of range from the main area clairvoyants.

Probably somewhere along the lines of a 10km range limit or so maybe (and then probably double for Elite). Don't have a real firm idea right now, but thinking that HQ will be out of range to Iwata. (Concentration scaling makes sense as well.)

 

[Kinematics]

I was referring to the request to have clairvoyants at HQ scan for Ayako, I'm thinking of Iwata being out of range from the main area clairvoyants.

Click to shrink...

Ah, I missed that bit of boone's post.

This seems the more in character thing for Kyouko. She wouldn't call dispatch at this point, she'd just call Mami directly.

Click to shrink...

Yeah, that does seem reasonable. I like the general tone of the vote, as well. Kyouko-appropriate.

[x] Elder Haman