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Shapers of the Apocalypse (Cosmic Horror vs. Player Characters)

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colah said:
@Academia Nut If we take the Support New Mexico Operations action, do we get to send any members we want like we do when we launch an expedition (rather than just sending the ones doing the action)?
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You can attach however many members you want to support New Mexico.

Quizer said:
Does that mean Powerofmind's plan to launch a new expedition while sending reinforcements to New Mexico is not viable?

Also, @Academia Nut, could you comment on my earlier request to bring back the split roll results? I understand it's probably more work to do it that way, but for me at least that way of doing things produced far superior immersion.
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If you have enough actions you can launch an expedition and support New Mexico, but you don't have to launch an expedition this turn. You don't have to support New Mexico either, the characters will just come home at the end of the turn if you don't.

I will consider splitting up the rolls. It's mostly a stylistic thing about clutter.
 
My reaction to this update summed up in one quote: "Right or wrong, we have the Maxim Machine Gun and they do not."
 
[X] Recruit Specialist (Recruit a Scholar to join the Main Roster. Charisma check to determine degree of skill) [Michael Bainsbridge]

[X] Manage Endowments (Management check to convert temporary Resource into permanent Resource, DC: Temp Res + 20) [Simon Ulysses]

[X] Acquire Assets (Influence and/or Resources check to acquire new assets) [Tyler Freeman]
-[X] Maxim Gun (the New Mexico militia may be willing to part with a few of these if a wealthy donor helps them with acquiring their own and they get excess) Inf DC: 50, Res DC: 60, [-1] Resources decay/turn

[X] Declare Expedition (OOC planned launch time, following year)
-[X] Isthmus Geographic Survey

[X] Research Strange Prism (Research and Science (physics, chemistry) checks required to have some understanding of this object and its properties) [Essex College]

[X] Support New Mexico Operations (Resources check to send down additional members and resources to launch Subterranean Pueblo Expedition without declaring it as the target expedition) [Henry Jackson]

Massachusetts Cartographer's Association Newsletter

It's hard to believe that a scant three years ago the Association was only just beginning to dip it's toes into the world at large, exploring the New Mexico territories and fighting back the sting of yellow-page journalists. Today, the Association has grown to be one of the largest privately owned and funded explorer's societies in the civilized world. Alas, our efforts are also bearing another kind of fruit. We take this time to mourn the losses of several workmen and a junior member who have supported our members from the beginning, reported to have died while examining the New Mexico Pueblo ruins. Workmen: Johnathan Carlyle, William Stone, Vincent Peechie. Member: Allan Bates. In order to snuff out and discover the responsible parties, Vice-chair Henry Jackson is preparing a relief expedition team to support the original expedition, which has grown exhausted as morale falls from continued failings to bring the guilty parties to justice.

In lighter news, Vice-President Roosevelt has sounded a call to explorers and cartographers across the country to join him in his effort to complete the Panama Canal, abandoned twenty years ago by the French. The Association's own efforts are scheduled to take place sometime next year, after the New Mexico debacle has been concluded.

The Association press has had some difficulty gleaning a clear picture of events in New Mexico, and a number of senior members and major contributors have clammed up rather quickly. This humble member wonders; have we discovered something incredible down in New Mexico, despite the loss of life?

Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam

Johnathan Waters, MCA Jr. Member

Academia Nut said:
I will consider splitting up the rolls. It's mostly a stylistic thing about clutter.
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I admit, I liked the 'spread across the post' style myself. I wouldn't even call it clutter, it seems more organized when things are set up that way, like an experienced tabletop DM narrating what's going on as he makes new checks.
 
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This attack on our colleagues in New Mexico is foul business, and it is our duty to help them. Let's acquire these Maxim Guns and send some members down their way. I'd feel much better if Tyler and Henry were there, if another barbarian attacks.

Coordinating the logistics of sending support to New Mexico should be fairly simple. That lad, Simon, can do it. Tyler should focus on getting those guns. And perhaps junior members might find something relevant to this catacomb they discovered in the library?

In the meanwhile, let's focus on consolidating ourselves, a bit. We have this massive windfall from Jefferson and we need to make sure it doesn't slip through our fingers. I know Simon had a hand in it coming to us, and he would normally handle something like this, but I feel like it's a bit too important for such young shoulders. Michael has great expertise in these matters, so I'd prefer he handle it.

It's also becoming very clear that we need an archeologist to assist us on these expeditions. It would be great if Henry could talk to those Essex College contacts he's been developing and try to find someone to join us.

[plan retracted; I now support @Powerofmind's plan]


[X] Recruit Specialist [Henry Jackson]
- [X] Archeologist

[X] Manage Endowments [Michael Bainsbridge]

[X] Acquire Assets [Tyler Freeman]
- [X] Maxim Gun

[X] Support New Mexico Operations [Simon Ulysses]
- [X] Send Henry Jackson and Tyler Freeman

[X] Library Research (Research check to consult maps and journals to seek advantages in launching an expedition) [Junior Members]
 
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@Powerofmind -- a few suggestions on your plan:

- I don't think Corbyn James can do library research, because he's stuck in New Mexico

[retracted point]
- I'd recommend switching Michael to Manage Endowements, Simon to Support New Mexico, and Henry to recruit specialist.
-- Michael's management is better than Simon's and he gets an extra bonus die, so I think he'll do better at Manage Endowements.
-- Henry has insane charisma, so he'll probably do a better job at recruiting than Michael.
-- It doesn't really matter who does the Support New Mexico action -- the only thing that seems to matter is the organization stats for that. So we may as well have Simon do that.

- I'm a bit nervous of just handing over the supernatural artifact to Essex, especially when almost all of us will be in New Mexico, away from the college.
 
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[X] Recruit Specialist (Recruit a Scholar to join the Main Roster. Charisma check to determine degree of skill) [Michael Bainsbridge]

[X] Manage Endowments (Management check to convert temporary Resource into permanent Resource, DC: Temp Res + 20) [Simon Ulysses]

[X] Acquire Assets (Influence and/or Resources check to acquire new assets) [Tyler Freeman]
-[X] Maxim Gun (the New Mexico militia may be willing to part with a few of these if a wealthy donor helps them with acquiring their own and they get excess) Inf DC: 50, Res DC: 60, [-1] Resources decay/turn

[X] Declare Expedition (OOC planned launch time, following year)
-[X] Isthmus Geographic Survey

[X] Library Research (Research check to consult maps and journals to seek advantages in launching an expedition) [Corbyn James]

[X] Research Strange Prism (Research and Science (physics, chemistry) checks required to have some understanding of this object and its properties) [Essex College]

[X] Support New Mexico Operations (Resources check to send down additional members and resources to launch Subterranean Pueblo Expedition without declaring it as the target expedition) [Henry Jackson]

We definitely need to support NM, and see about getting in on the Panama action.
 
My God, it looks like our dear boy Grant bagged a trophy of some sort from the excavation in New Mexico... Hopefully, he'll return with the savage's scalp who'd done such a number on our men.

- Gary Grant has earned a Monster Hunter trait(according to OP)! Awesome!
 
[X] Recruit Specialist (Recruit a Scholar to join the Main Roster. Charisma check to determine degree of skill) [Michael Bainsbridge]

[X] Manage Endowments (Management check to convert temporary Resource into permanent Resource, DC: Temp Res + 20) [Simon Ulysses]

[X] Acquire Assets (Influence and/or Resources check to acquire new assets) [Tyler Freeman]
-[X] Maxim Gun (the New Mexico militia may be willing to part with a few of these if a wealthy donor helps them with acquiring their own and they get excess) Inf DC: 50, Res DC: 60, [-1] Resources decay/turn

[X] Declare Expedition (OOC planned launch time, following year)
-[X] Isthmus Geographic Survey

[X] Library Research (Research check to consult maps and journals to seek advantages in launching an expedition) [Corbyn James]

[X] Research Strange Prism (Research and Science (physics, chemistry) checks required to have some understanding of this object and its properties) [Essex College]

[X] Support New Mexico Operations (Resources check to send down additional members and resources to launch Subterranean Pueblo Expedition without declaring it as the target expedition) [Henry Jackson]


---------------
This seems ok. Can we use more of our junior members somewhere?
 
@Strypgia, @sesbio -- did you see my comments on @Powerofmind's plan? Corbyn can't do research in the library because he's stuck in New Mexico. (We can use junior members instead.)

Also, I think some small changes could make it a lot more effective. In particular, we should cycle around who does which action a bit to play to their strengths. [retracted]

I'd recommend switching Michael to Manage Endowements, Simon to Support New Mexico, and Henry to recruit specialist.
-- Michael's management is better than Simon's and he gets an extra bonus die, so I think he'll do better at Manage Endowements.
-- Henry has insane charisma, so he'll probably do a better job at recruiting than Michael.
-- It doesn't really matter who does the Support New Mexico action -- the only thing that seems to matter is the organization stats for that. So we may as well have Simon do that.
 
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Gary Gant now has: Monster Hunter (+1 bonus dice to Willpower and Personal Combat when fighting the unnatural)

We need to keep him on expeditions need to level him up moar.
 
[X] Recruit Specialist (Recruit a Scholar to join the Main Roster. Charisma check to determine degree of skill) [Michael Bainsbridge]

[X] Manage Endowments (Management check to convert temporary Resource into permanent Resource, DC: Temp Res + 20) [Simon Ulysses]

[X] Acquire Assets (Influence and/or Resources check to acquire new assets) [Tyler Freeman]
-[X] Maxim Gun (the New Mexico militia may be willing to part with a few of these if a wealthy donor helps them with acquiring their own and they get excess) Inf DC: 50, Res DC: 60, [-1] Resources decay/turn

[X] Declare Expedition (OOC planned launch time, following year)
-[X] Isthmus Geographic Survey

[X] Library Research (Research check to consult maps and journals to seek advantages in launching an expedition) [Corbyn James]

[X] Research Strange Prism (Research and Science (physics, chemistry) checks required to have some understanding of this object and its properties) [Essex College]

[X] Support New Mexico Operations (Resources check to send down additional members and resources to launch Subterranean Pueblo Expedition without declaring it as the target expedition) [Henry Jackson]
 
colah said:
@Powerofmind -- a few suggestions on your plan:

- I don't think Corbyn James can do library research, because he's stuck in New Mexico

- I'd recommend switching Michael to Manage Endowements, Simon to Support New Mexico, and Henry to recruit specialist.
-- Michael's management is better than Simon's and he gets an extra bonus die, so I think he'll do better at Manage Endowements.
-- Henry has insane charisma, so he'll probably do a better job at recruiting than Michael.
-- It doesn't really matter who does the Support New Mexico action -- the only thing that seems to matter is the organization stats for that. So we may as well have Simon do that.

- I'm a bit nervous of just handing over the supernatural artifact to Essex, especially when almost all of us will be in New Mexico, away from the college.
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Corbyn isn't in New Mexico, first of all. The team in NM is Peter, Morgan, Wilhelm, and Gary.

Michael's charisma is highest, which gives us the best specialist. Henry's combat is highest, making him the best choice to commit to a combat expedition. Ulysses absolutely shouldn't be tacked onto an expedition whose main focus will be hunting.
 
Powerofmind said:
Corbyn isn't in New Mexico, first of all. The team in NM is Peter, Morgan, Wilhelm, and Gary.
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I'm pretty sure Corbyn is in New Mexico, according to the results post:

Academia Nut said:
[X] Investigate immediately (0.9x)
Stuck in New Mexico (Peter Schwartwald, Corbyn James, Morgan Blumstein, Wilhelm Sonnenberg, Gary Grant only available for work in New Mexico until the end of turn)
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Powerofmind said:
Michael's charisma is highest, which gives us the best specialist. Henry's combat is highest, making him the best choice to commit to a combat expedition. Ulysses absolutely shouldn't be tacked onto an expedition whose main focus will be hunting.
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I don't think this is true either. According to the dramatis personae post, Henry Charisma > Michael Charisma. And I don't think that Simon organizing the logistics of the expedition means that he's the one that goes. I think that gets sorted out separately. He's just organizing the supplies. [retracted]

Henry:
Charisma 30
Management 19
Willpower 16

Simon:
Charisma 20
Management 17
Willpower 11

Michael:
Charisma 26
Management 30
Willpower 27
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[X] Recruit Specialist (Recruit a Scholar to join the Main Roster. Charisma check to determine degree of skill) [Michael Bainsbridge]

[X] Manage Endowments (Management check to convert temporary Resource into permanent Resource, DC: Temp Res + 20) [Simon Ulysses]

[X] Acquire Assets (Influence and/or Resources check to acquire new assets) [Tyler Freeman]
-[X] Maxim Gun (the New Mexico militia may be willing to part with a few of these if a wealthy donor helps them with acquiring their own and they get excess) Inf DC: 50, Res DC: 60, [-1] Resources decay/turn

[X] Declare Expedition (OOC planned launch time, following year)
-[X] Isthmus Geographic Survey

[X] Research Strange Prism (Research and Science (physics, chemistry) checks required to have some understanding of this object and its properties) [Essex College]

[X] Support New Mexico Operations (Resources check to send down additional members and resources to launch Subterranean Pueblo Expedition without declaring it as the target expedition) [Henry Jackson]
 
[X] Recruit Specialist (Recruit a Scholar to join the Main Roster. Charisma check to determine degree of skill) [VP-E]
[X] Manage Endowments (DC: Temp Res + 20) [T]
[X] Manage Estates (DC: Decay rate x 10) [VP-O]
[X] Support New Mexico Operations [All] [Jr]
 
Uh, yeah, I'll wait a bit for the plans to finalize before making a lasting decision. For what it's worth though, for now I'm going with plan
[X] powerofmind
Because I really want Henry to go to New Mexico, because we need more badasses down there quite desperately.
 
@EternalStruggle My plan would send Henry to New Mexico to. So would my proposed modifications to @Powerofmind's plan.

As I understand it from asking AN, the person who takes the Support New Mexico action is completely separate from who goes to New Mexico. This is just like when we launch an expedition, the president has to do the launch action, but we often send a group of people that doesn't include him. There is no reason to waste Henry's action on this: he has an absurd charisma stat and we should use it!
 
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Yeah, I see. For what it's worth, you're right on the Corbyn is there thing, but I prefer Henry on the New Mexico Support action, not just as a member.
 
I was wrong. Point retracted.

@EternalStruggle May I ask why? I'm pretty sure that switching the people is a strict improvement. As in, it's better or equal to the original in all regards.

* Having Michael handle Manage Endowements is better, because Michael has a management of 30 which is much higher than Simon's 17. Given the absurd amount of temporary resources we are trying to convert, it seems like a really good idea to have those extra bonus dice.

* Henry has a Charisma of 30, which is better than Michael's 26. If they get equal rolls, we would permanently get a better member from having used Henry.

* Support New Mexico is a resource and influence roll, so the person who does it really shouldn't matter.

It seems really clearly better to me. It gives people the exact same thing they want but with better bonuses on all the rolls.

I'd be grateful if you (or someone else) could explain this from your side, because I'm feeling kind of frustrated. I'd understand if people wanted something different than me, but I think I want the exact same thing as everyone else in the thread and we're just ignoring a pareto improvement. (We could try confirming my analysis about the switching with AN if the worry is that I'm wrong.)
 
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Basically, I want Henry on the management of New Mexico because he would be far better at preparing for more Abominations down there, which is worth potential downsides elsewhere.

That being said, if we feel safe in believing that there won't be any more bloody Shoggoths over in the place, then a re-shuffling of people would be wise.
 
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