Alchemical Solutions [Worm/Exalted] Thread 15: Occluded Orb Obsessively Observes Obscene Operations

This is assuming in a world with people that make starktech look like a kindergartners science fair project, that the turrets don't have their own indivdual backup or even primary power supplies. I for one if I was in charge of defending the base would make sure that taking out he base's internal power supply would not take out defenses. In government facilites like this redundancy and battery backups are the name of the game. Also for those who are going after the base's CIC, who is to say that Bezaiel has not already done something to make such an action useless, changing codes and security measures to prevent an internal shutdown.
Huh, didn't even consider that.
 
Ansh'e is the Moon, Ansh'a the sun, so I'm not sure how this connects to Wind
Neither do I. It's evocative though, so I just rolled with it. Hopefully whoever wrote it (uju maybe?) can chime in.

1.) Yet my Stunt accomplishes more than yours. We get Tinker/Thinker back uo, a distraction for the drones, equipment, and the destruction of the Turrets. Your stunt leaves all of that behind.

2.) I dont have to write it out because, as you and uju said, me stunting it means it will happen.

It may not be the flashiest stunt, but by goodness it gets shit done!

It gets shit done in a really boring way, ergo it's by definition a bad stunt. "I hit him with my mace and then rescue the princess" is fucking boring even if accomplishes your two main goals of braining the villain and getting the girl. "I bring my mace up in a lightning-fast arc, eliciting a deafening crash as the vizier slams into the nearby china cabinet. Using the momentum from the swing I flourish my cape as I sweep her into my free arm, gently whispering, 'Worry not, my love. I am here.'" is much more evocative. It accomplishes the same goal but tells everyone how you did it and paints the scene so that people can see it in their mind.
 
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On Stunting and such, with a reminder that I am not in any way talented at it, so I may get this slightly wrong, but I doubt by much, if any.

FunkyE has the why of it. It is not supposed to be a laundry list of what you want to do. In fact, the reason for only having max. 60 words limit imposed is because people were using it like a laundry list of things you want to have happen, so it got dropped to, I think, 100 words, but people were still doing it, so it got dropped further to 60.

A Stunt, a good Stunt, is flashy and memorable and is supposed to be a momentary slice of pure Awesome. Either because of physical actions, or with spoken words (or both, in the case of the Kali riding FP as a flying surfboard Stunt).

So you don't get your laundry list of wants or desires into the Stunt itself, but if you mention it, Grom will probably see it and make note of it when he is writing the update. More importantly, I try to make notes of everything said and use said notes to make suggestions and such to Grom when he is writing.
 
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Of course, what actually happens is with the word limit reduced, people started tossing everything but the laundry list bit, at least when first implemented :p
 
In case anyone wants to just copy paste my vote instead of reading the reasoning behind particular votes or what I changed (or why I changed it):

[x] Bring me closer, I want to hit them with my sword! Mk. III
- [x] Stunt: Metal screams as a tornado of blades clears your path. Kali, feet wedged between Plasma Thrusters, combines her powers with Gust's, annihilating any drones still targeting you through the jammer's interference. You slam through the X of insects on the wall like the fist of an angry god-machine, chunks of concrete scattering the surprised PRT heavy squad barricading the room.

Where's a Rogue When You Need One?: Once you're inside, how do you proceed?
(Choose one. One Stunt allowed.)
[X] Bank Vault Door Strategy: Traps? ISF laughs at your puny traps!
- [x] Stunt: The last drone hits the floor with a dull thump, one of Kali's swords in it's back. As the shard-embedded walls begin to move again, you shift your shield to your left hand and begin to transform your fist into a razor-sharp crystal spike. "What are you doing," your insect guides buzz in confusion. "Making us a shortcut."


Do You Split the Party?: The pros and cons of this decision are self-evident.
(Choose one. One Stunt allowed.)
[X] No, stay together.
- [x] Stunt: Kali smirks, "Not my first live-action horror movie, Marmar." Nor yours. Keeping an adamant blade in one hand and shard launcher in the other, you begin to extrude a shield. "No rushing ahead either." You chide sternly. Kali pouts but nods, silently rearranging her blades to cover your path as you weave through the cubicles in the dimly lit office.

Calculus of War: Snap decision for FPoP, save the tourists or save the PRT workers?
(Choose one. One Stunt allowed.)
[X] Save PRT Workers
- [x] Stunt: "You sure about this?" Kali whispers. "Yes. I recognize at least one systems technician in that group, and two power room engineers. They can probably help us regain control of the security systems or shut down base power. Besides…" you look to the 'civilian' tour group, Eagles, Globes, and Anchors proud on their arms. "Like they'd let us protect them."

Grab-Bag: What does Taylor grab while fleeing the Tinkertech Lab?
(Choose one. No Stunts allowed.)
[x] Something shiny

[X] Free Action: "Weaver," you whisper to the swarm above you in Old Realm, "Can you use your bugs to keep an eye out for traps? And brief me on what you think is important." Part of the swarms settles on the back of your armor and then it begins to talk. "Confirmed. We'll clear you a path to the C&C room."

[X] EOA - 2 XP - Lore (Artificial Intelligence ●○○)
[X] EOA - 2 XP - Archery/Firearms (Sniping ●○○)
[X] FPoP - 2 XP - Craft (Shards ●○○)
[X] FPoP - 4 XP - Occult ●○○○○
 
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On Stunting and such, with a reminder that I am not in any way talented at it, so I may get this slightly wrong, but I doubt by much, if any.

FunkyE has the why of it. It is not supposed to be a laundry list of what you want to do. In fact, the reason for only having max. 60 words limit imposed is because people were using it like a laundry list of things you want to have happen, so it got dropped to, I think, 100 words, but people were still doing it, so it got dropped further to 60.

A Stunt, a good Stunt, is flashy and memorable and is supposed to be a momentary slice of pure Awesome. Either because of physical actions, or with spoken words (or both, in the case of the Kali riding FP as a flying surfboard Stunt).

So you don't get your laundry list of wants or desires into the Stunt itself, but if you mention it, Grom will probably see it and make note of it when he is writing the update. More importantly, I try to make notes of everything said and use said notes to make suggestions and such to Grom when he is writing.
Fair enough I suppose. I'm not sure I like it, but I understand it.

My point still stands that barging in without back up is a bad idea though.
 
On Stunting and such, with a reminder that I am not in any way talented at it, so I may get this slightly wrong, but I doubt by much, if any.

FunkyE has the why of it. It is not supposed to be a laundry list of what you want to do. In fact, the reason for only having max. 60 words limit imposed is because people were using it like a laundry list of things you want to have happen, so it got dropped to, I think, 100 words, but people were still doing it, so it got dropped further to 60.

A Stunt, a good Stunt, is flashy and memorable and is supposed to be a momentary slice of pure Awesome. Either because of physical actions, or with spoken words (or both, in the case of the Kali riding FP as a flying surfboard Stunt).

So you don't get your laundry list of wants or desires into the Stunt itself, but if you mention it, Grom will probably see it and make note of it when he is writing the update. More importantly, I try to make notes of everything said and use said notes to make suggestions and such to Grom when he is writing.

You pretty much nailed it. Stunting is simply describing your action in an interesting way, and provides mechanical incentive in the form of bonus dice and motes/WP so that players will take advantage of it.

Sidenote - I hereby christen this the, "Kali riding FP as a flying surfboard Stunt Mk.II"
- [] Stunt: From a darkling sky, twin funnels of air reach down to write An'she's will across the island. Flexing your shield covered arm, you raise your voice above the howl of Gust's tornadoes. "There's our covering fire. Crocker,engage. Bladedancer, hang on to the sword. We go on three. Two. One. Mark!"

It's the same thing, but now she's doing it while flying down the eye of a tornado.

I'm of the opinion that a Leeroy Jenkins charge into an unknown situation is rather foolish.
No, we have a plan. Go in hard and fast, get to C&C to either retake control of the island's defenses or shut them down, and link up with EOA so she can take control of the battle.
 
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I'm of the opinion that a Leeroy Jenkins charge into an unknown situation is rather foolish.
This is a time critical situation so there is no time to prepare and still save people. Varja is willing to risk her life to avert disaster here! And besides I doubt seriously that Gromweld is going to curb stomp us by being a hero. Instead of, you know, calling together a committee to decide on a five year plan before we save the day. :)
 
This is a time critical situation so there is no time to prepare and still save people. Varja is willing to risk her life to avert disaster here! And besides I doubt seriously that Gromweld is going to curb stomp us by being a hero. Instead of, you know, calling together a committee to decide on a five year plan before we save the day. :)
A dumb action movie-ish hero you mean, not an intelligent one.
 
Action movies are fun! There is typically gun fire and punching bad guys. I approve of this.
But we lose more than we gain by ignoring our back up and just charging in.

Where will the hostages go after we save them? Not outside, that place is teeming with fighting and gunfire. They'd have to stick with us, which would hamper our movements. Never mind that many of them might require first-aid treatment and materials, something that we don't have.
 
A dumb action movie-ish hero you mean, not an intelligent one.
No, we have a plan. Go in hard and fast, get to C&C to either retake control of the island's defenses or shut them down, and link up with EOA so she can take control of the battle.
We actually have a solid plan of action. Plus, FPoP is practically designed for rapid, surgical strikes instead of long-term slogs. She's a lightning-bruiser, not a mighty glacier.

But we lose more than we gain by ignoring our back up and just charging in.

Where will the hostages go after we save them? Not outside, that place is teeming with fighting and gunfire. They'd have to stick with us, which would hamper our movements. Never mind that many of them might require first-aid treatment and materials, something that we don't have.
They can either leave after we retake/shutdown the defenses (tourists) or help us reestablish control of the island (workers). If you're really worried about their safety, stunt in them scrounging up weapons from an emergency supply cabinet as the grizzled 'Nam vet takes charge to ease the crowd's panic.
 
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We need to take out the guns so that we can have reinforcements. We're going up against the S9. Think of this as nothing less than a boss rush. Do we want to do a boss rush with just three characters? The ability to receive help when needed, esp for characters that are a hard for us to deal with (the Siberian in combat, Bonesaw socially) would be really helpful. As would the ability not to have to babysit civilians for Jack to kill or Bonesaw turn into art.
 
Even better, stunt the whole lot of tourists as being either a group of retired vets or cadets on leave from the Philadelphia Military Academy at Leeds.

You can do that. Vet soldiers are still extras. Make them useful.
 
Even better, stunt the whole lot of tourists as being either a group of retired vets or cadets on leave from the Philadelphia Military Academy at Leeds.

You can do that. Vet soldiers are still extras. Make them useful.

Or have a tourist declare, "I'll help, I'm a nurse."

It's amazing what you can do with extras, and you have a building full of them.
 
Conventional artillery and heavy artillery capes are frankly better than us at reducing the turrets. They are after all in fixed known positions. The job we've been asked to do is get in there fast, past the fire before they can be reduced.

If we want to mention gearing up a stunt such as this could serve:
-[] Stunt: One last dagger, dangling a satchel of breaching charges, joins the constellation of blades around Kali, many similarly festooned. "Ready?" Sword slaps into palm. You feel her weight. From a darkling sky, twin funnels of air reach down to write An'she's will across the island. You raise your shield, you raise your voice above the howl of Gust's tornadoes. "There's our covering fire. Crocker, engage. We go on three. Two. One. Mark!"

Which would also fit the consult with Bladedancer option. Needs to lose a few more words still.
 
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We need to take out the guns so that we can have reinforcements.
If that's what you're worried about then taking the C&C room will accomplish that too with the side benefit of also preserving the defenses so that we can make use of them ourselves. It'll probably take the same amount of time (or less! or more! who knows what the future may bring?) since destroying the turrets while not getting blown to pieces is going to take time too.

We're going up against the S9. Think of this as nothing less than a boss rush. Do we want to do a boss rush with just three characters? The ability to receive help when needed, esp for characters that are a hard for us to deal with (the Siberian in combat, Bonesaw socially) would be really helpful. As would the ability not to have to babysit civilians for Jack to kill or Bonesaw turn into art.

So either don't pick tourists or stunt the tourists into something useful. This is not hard.
 
(REVISED VOTE! FINAL VERSION (hopefully)! A BIT MORE ACTION PACKED THAN PREVIOUS!)

Storming the Castle: The plan for the approach with Kali.
(Choose one. One Stunt allowed.)
[x] Bring me closer, I want to hit them with my sword! Mk. III
- [X] Stunt: Metal screams as a tornado of blades clears your path. Kali, feet wedged between Plasma Thrusters, combines her powers with Gust's, annihilating any drones still targeting you through the jammer's interference. You slam through the X of insects on the wall like the fist of an angry god-machine, chunks of concrete scattering the surprised PRT heavy squad barricading the room.

Where's a Rogue When You Need One?: Once you're inside, how do you proceed?
(Choose one. One Stunt allowed.)
[X] Bank Vault Door Strategy: Traps? ISF laughs at your puny traps!
- [x] Stunt: The last drone hits the floor with a dull thump, one of Kali's swords in it's back. As the shard-embedded walls begin to move again, you shift your shield to your left hand and begin to transform your fist into a razor-sharp crystal spike. "What are you doing," your insect guides buzz in confusion. "Making us a shortcut."

Do You Split the Party?: The pros and cons of this decision are self-evident.
(Choose one. One Stunt allowed.)
[X] No, stay together.
-[x] Stunt: Stunt: Kali smirks, "Not my first live-action horror movie, Marmar." Nor yours. Keeping an adamant blade in one hand and shard launcher in the other, you extrude a shield. "No rushing ahead either." You chide sternly. Kali pouts but nods, silently rearranging her blades to cover your path as you weave through the cubicles in the dimly lit office.

Calculus of War: Snap decision for FPoP, save the tourists or save the PRT workers?
(Choose one. One Stunt allowed.)
[X] Save Tourists
-[x]Stunt: "Bladedancer, shield as many workers and civilians as you can without leaving yourself open," You ready Impenetrable Repulsor Field, "Focus mainly on the tourists when you can. This isn't their fight." One of the male workers speaks up, "I'm a Doctor. Does anyone need attention?" A chorus of 'yes' is the reply and he nods, "Children first then."

Grab-Bag: What does Taylor grab while fleeing the Tinkertech Lab?
(Choose one. No Stunts allowed.)
[X] Something useful

Please remember to format Free Actions properly: (Only ONE Free Action allowed, and only for FPoP!)
*Free Actions should be phrased as stand-alone Stunts, so they must be 60 words or less (not counting "Free Action"), be descriptive about what you're hoping to accomplish, and set the scene.


[X] Free Action: "Weaver," you say to the swarm above you, "Can you use your bugs to confirm if the outside is clear?" A pause, "Partially. I can send them along a safer path without any fighting though." You smile, "Good. Are there any heroes or agents near the C&C?" The Swarm settles around you, "No, heavily guarded. Regrouping would be optimal."


[X] EOA - 6 XP - Artifact (Dragonsuit) ●●○○○
[X] EOA - 2 XP - Presence (Swarms ●●●)
[X] FPoP - 2 XP - Craft (Shards ●○○)
 
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Better, although why have nurses when you can have marines on shore leave?

Also, this is still a bad stunt:
Stunt: Kali smirks, "I'm not that dumb Mar-Mar. I've seen those movies." You have as well. Keeping a crystal blade in one and spike launcher (shotgun usage) in the other, you slowly edge out a layer of armor. "No rushing ahead either." You sternly warn. Kali pouts but nods, silently moving her blades to a favorable position around you two.
This is bad for the reasons I've outlined previously. The updated version is:
Stunt: Kali smirks, "Not my first live-action horror movie, Marmar." Nor yours. Keeping an adamant blade in one hand and shard launcher in the other, you begin to extrude a shield. "No rushing ahead either." You chide sternly. Kali pouts but nods, silently rearranging her blades to cover your path as you weave through the cubicles in the dimly lit office.
 
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[] Kick In The Door: Time is of the essence. You are the invincible diamond, and you bring the thunder. Kali can keep up.
- [] Stunt: From a darkling sky, twin funnels of air reach down to write An'she's will across the island. Flexing your shield covered arm, you raise your voice above the howl of Gust's tornadoes. "There's our covering fire. Crocker,engage. Bladedancer, hang on to the sword. We go on three. Two. One. Mark!"

Where's a Rogue When You Need One?: Once you're inside, how do you proceed?
(Choose one. One Stunt allowed.)
[] Bank Vault Door Strategy: Traps? ISF laughs at your puny traps!
- [] Stunt: The last drone hits the floor with a dull thump, one of Kali's swords in it's back. As the shard-embedded walls begin to move again, you shift your shield to your left hand and begin to transform your fist into a razor-sharp crystal spike. "What are you doing?" "Making us a shortcut. Stand back."

Do You Split the Party?: The pros and cons of this decision are self-evident.
(Choose one. One Stunt allowed.)
[] No, stay together.
- [] Stunt: Kali smirks, "Not my first live-action horror movie, Marmar." Nor yours. Keeping an adamant blade in one hand and shard launcher in the other, you begin to extrude a shield. "No rushing ahead either." You chide sternly. Kali pouts but nods, silently rearranging her blades to cover your path as you weave through the cubicles in the dimly lit office.


Calculus of War: Snap decision for FPoP, save the tourists or save the PRT workers?
(Choose one. One Stunt allowed.)
[] Save Tourists
-[]Stunt: "Bladedancer, shield as many workers and civilians as you can without leaving yourself open," You ready Impenetrable Repulsor Field, "Focus mainly on the tourists when you can. This isn't their fight." One of the male workers speaks up, "I'm a nurse. Does anyone need attention?" A chorus of 'yes' is the reply and he nods, "Children first then."


Grab-Bag: What does Taylor grab while fleeing the Tinkertech Lab?
(Choose one. No Stunts allowed.)
[] Something shiny

[] Free Action: "Weaver," you whisper to the swarm above you in Old Realm, "Can you use your bugs to keep an eye out for traps? And brief me on what you think is important." Part of the swarms settles on the back of your armor and then it begins to talk. "Confirmed. We'll clear you a path to the C&C room."

[] EOA - 2 XP - Lore (Artificial Intelligence ●○○)
[] EOA - 2 XP - Archery/Firearms (Sniping ●○○)
[] FPoP - 2 XP - Craft (Shards ●○○)
[] FPoP - 4 XP - Occult ●○○○○


Mostly copied from Funky's vote...except for the civilians.


Agree whole heartily that we need to get in there fast and kick ass.


And DragonSuit can wait one vote...
 
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How about colony drop?

Phase 1: Teleport into sky.
Phase 2: Make giant ball of adamant.
Phase 3: Hammer of god.
(and it is the most dynamic entry)

A giant cloud of dust, should massively reduce the efficiency of the lasers and likely outright disable the teleport turrets.

Also can't Marrow make a steady stream of Blades for Kali? Should we stunt that?
 
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How about colony drop?

Phase 1: Teleport into sky.
Phase 2: Make giant ball of adamant.
Phase 3: Hammer of god.

(and it is the most dynamic entry)

A giant cloud of dust, should massively reduce the efficiency of the lasers and likely outright disable the teleport turrets.

Idly, I first noted that FP had unknowingly discovered a new move to Grom when he was writing the first power testing sequence. She turned herself into a giant ball of Adamant. All you would have to do is roll her down a hill and she'd just run everything over flat.
 
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