This is a commentary for Pepper's Great Hunt. In the interests of providing commentary on event running as well as to provide an object lesson on the subject, all room OOC stuff has been kept in and is unformatted except to enhance readability. Commentary is in italics. The commentary itself is done by Mikage.
Landing Bay - Svajone (#25601)
The landing bay is actually separated into multiple parts. The first is the airlock like area where ships wait while the area is pressurized to prevent harm to the rest of the landing bay. After that is the landing dock, with a variety of 'hangar' like areas for ships and vessels to be kept. Other support services for craft are prominent here, from repairs and fuel to contacts for those delivering or receiving shipments. Beyond the landing bay is a series of lifts and elevators of varying sizes to take people to other areas of the station.
This room can be tagged. See +tag/help for commands.
Mon May 02 18:53:50 2653
Contents: Exits: Space Oddity Majors
Type +shuttle/hire to hire a shuttle from this location.
[OOC] Mikage says, "Everyone go ahead and pose in and I'll be around with stuff shortly."
Waiting for PCs to show up, at this point. People posing in now is part of the introductory phase I talk about.
Majors is starting out of the Devil May Care. The Sivadian is puffing away at a cigarette.
[OOC] Majors just reuses the one he just did.
Shok has arrived.
Shuttlecraft lifts off and heads to its next pickup.
[OOC] Mikage says, "Also, we'll stick with three-pose until further notice for everyone's sanity."
Establishing that we'll be following the three-pose rule for the scene. With so many people (8 at its height) at the scene, this would help keep things moving for the most part.
[OOC] Newt says, "yaay"
Alin staggers out of a shuttlecraft. The 'little boy lost' look is hardly attractive on the rugged features of the grey-haired Palisadian, and he looks every bit as weary as out of place. Even though his tabard is fraying around the edges and patches have been stitched carefully in spots, the man apparently has stubbornly clung to every scrap of clothing he left Fastheld with. Once clear of the shuttle he looks around the landing bay, blue eyes dull.
Newt steps out of Caral's and begins to make his green way through the bay.
A tropically-dressed Norran hops out of a disembarking shuttle, reaching a hand up to slip off his sunglasses as he grimaces up toward the metallic surroundings. Tucking them into the collar of his undershirt, he makes his way off toward the nearest bar.
Jane is dumped unceremoniously onto the busy platform for shuttlecraft, but she seems fairly unperturbed. She sidesteps to position herself out of the way of travelers, and shifts her shoulder bag so she can easier light the cigarette tucked between her lips. (Because all the cool spacers smoke, dude.) Her eyewatering-ly bright magenta flowered shirt draws in some negative attention as it clashes with her red hair, but she doesn't seem to notice this as she weaves among bodies to head into the station proper. Her messenger bag propped on her left hip seems to be her only luggage - except for the green plastic t-rex figurine tucked into her left breast pocket, complete with a filled out luggage tag tied around its neck.
[OOC] Majors missed Jane. :)
[OOC] Alin grins.
Shok exits a shuttle near Jane and wanders out. Taking in the scenery that is Svajone while walking he bumps into Jane while she lights her cigarette.
It's another early evening on the Svajone's landing bay. Ships come and go, passengers and crew are by some of their ships, while others are being worked on by mechanics. Into this walks Gary, a human male in his late 20s that is pushing a cart of several oddly shaped, but small, containers with a couple strategically placed holes on them.
This is me setting up the scene. Players tend to notice when someone is emitted showing up, since it's a clear sign it'll come into play in the next few poses.
Majors looks over at the boxes and Gary and lifts a brow. A long drag is taken from his cigarette and he pushes himself off his ship's airlock and strolls down the Devil's ramp. The man starts to hum 'The Impossible Dream' to himself as he moves.
Alin squares his shoulders back and inhales deeply, glancing back at those exiting shuttles. He jerks suddenly as if struck, standing stock straight and regarding Norran, hawaiian shirt and all, with wide eyes. "Duke Lomasa?" The man asks, his tenor rusty with disuse.
It doesn't take long for Newt to spot Norran. He grins, waves and shouts out, "Norran!" before jogging over.
"Oy! Effin' wotcher bloody-self!" Jane growls at an unnecessarily loud volume, shooting Shok a glare over her shoulder after recovering from nearly falling on her face. She shifts her bag to her right hip and attempts to light her cigarette a second time, hawkish gaze pinned on the one he bumped into her. She exhales smoke into his face before spinning on her heel and heading away once more. The sight of another Hawaiian shirt catches her gaze, and her irritated frown relaxes into an amused smile. Drawing nearer to the exit, she steps out of the flow of traffic to finish her cigarette - hopefully in peace.
Several random passengers and crew start looking down towards the deck of the Svajone, one after the other. It can be noticed after a few seconds that it's a grown black cat darting about quite fast, currently making her way towards the Devil May Care. As for Gary? He continues to move his cart along.
And now I introduce Pepper, a NPC cat. Part of her job this early is to run around, get PC attention, and generally get everyone together and gathering.
An amused laugh sounds the more casually dressed Palisadian, grin tugging at his lips. "It has been...a very, very long time since anyone called me that," Norran answers with a pleasantly surprised tone, turning around to regard Alin and give him a once-over. "Here, titles are pretty useless. It's simply Norran Lomasa, Norran if you want to be personable or Mr. Lomasa if you'd rather be more formal. You, I don't quite recognize however. Still wearing your old armor, I see. I keep mine back home as a memory, take care of it to make sure it doesn't rust." Green eyes settle on Alin's tabard. "Mikin, hm? The only one I can recall who made it over is Varal, and he's off doing some damned thing on another ship last I remember. Me, I'm tired of ships. Already getting tired of this one."
Norran waves to Newt as he nears, giving a nod toward Alin. "Newt. This is a fellow from my...homeworld, a former guardsman it seems."
Shok feels the sensation of bumping somebody and steps back a moment and next thing he knows is getting yelled at for not watching himself. He says nothing but makes it quite clear he doesn't appreciate the yelling with the frown he gives. He to notices the Hawaiian shirt but doesn't recognize the person and goes instead the directin of the man pushing the cart.
[OOC] Majors says, "House cat or something bigger?"
A reasonable question here. On a game like OS, with crazy aliens, genetic monstrosities, and many other things, sometimes it's good to check and make sure the cat really is just a housecat.
Alin takes a few steps away from Jane as she goes off on Shok, looking warily at the brightly clad woman with her cigarette, expression somewhat scandalized. He rubs at his whiskers apologetically, bowing deeply at the waist. "Alin Mikin, your grace. It is good to see someone from the real world." Turning to Newt, he looks down at him, adam's apple bobbing as he swallows. "Sir Newt." He manages, tenor a croak.
[OOC] Mikage says, "Yup. It's just a housecat."
"Why.. that is some rather fine looking bit of black pussy." Majors utters as he notices the cat near his ship. "Ello luv.. Aren't you but the sleakest thing about. Visting dirty ole Mister Majors?" The Sivadian asks as he knees and tries to get the cat to come closer.
[OOC] Majors keeps the scene classy.
[OOC] Alin laughs1
[OOC] Alin arghs, stupid shift key
[OOC] Jane missed Majors. XD
There's a lot of minor/irrelevant OOC throughout the scene. This isn't always a bad thing when it doesn't distract from the flow of the scene itself.
Newt stops near Norran and looks up at Alain, "Hi. I'm, yeah, Newt. I like the green.
The black cat looks up at Majors somewhat expectantly. "Meow!" she seems somewhat enthusiastic, before darting off towards Newt, Norran and Alin.
Jane only happens to catch sight of Alin's expression as he purposely backs away from her, and she lets out a little giggle of amusement. Once out from underfoot of other passengers in a hurry, she has more time to scan her surroundings at her leisure, puffing on her cigarette every so often. Noting other heads turned toward Gary and his cart, her attention follows long enough to catch a brief glimpse of the black cat streaking by to greet the trio nearby.
"And that's about all you need to know about him," observes Norran of Newt, shaking his head somewhat as he looks back to Alin. "Oh, another of the peerage? Didn't realize, my apologies. But as I said, there's no need for the titles. You might also want to think of finding another set of clothes, our armor does regrettably little against the weaponry here and it makes you a target of those who think you're an easy mark, being a foreigner."
Out of the corner of his eye he takes notice of the cat running toward them, crouching down as it approaches. "A stray? They're all over these things, mousing or...whatever otherlandly vermin invest the place."
[OOC] Jane says, "Pee on Norran, pee on Norran!"
[OOC] Newt says, "Jane likes watersports."
Shok sees the cat and his more basic instincts kick in and growls a bit but keeps passing. He reaches Gary and not completely sure why he went this direction in the first place merely watches.
"Oh come on baby.. no need to dart off. I was just going to stroke you just the right way." Majors informs the cat as she darts off. "The other pussies purr once I get started." He laments as he stands and starts to move after the cat.
[OOC] Norran says, "Ted Nugent would be disappointed."
[Skill System] Majors tests his Performance + Singing at a modifier of 0. The result is 8.
[Skill System] Majors tests his Ranged skill at a modifier of 0. The result is 10.
[OOC] Majors is Ted Nugent damn it!
[OOC] Norran says, "Singing is way too high to be Ted Nugent."
"It has served me well, Sir Newt. Especially in the woodlands." Alin replies, stern features easing into a faint smile for the short.. Er.. He's not quite sure what Newt is. Cats are familliar, at least. With a slight creak of well-oiled armor, he crouches and pulls off a gauntlet, gesturing to the cat and making sounds. "Puss-puss-puss, Here puss-puss-puss. Mmh. It doesn't matter where you go, your grace, you are still a Duke. It would be improper for me to call you by anything else. Anyroad, I believe the term one could apply to me is 'techno-illiterate'. I travel and do odd jobs that don't require much, so you'll pardon me if I keep something familliar. I still hope the Light will somehow help me home."
[OOC] Majors says, "Good point."
Everyone has been given one RP Point! Confetti points brought to you by: Brody! !!! BONUS JACKPOT !!! Everyone has received an additional 10 Saga Points!
Everyone has been given 10 Saga Points! Bravo! points brought to you by: Brody!
At this point, I sent a message to staff asking for some Bravo points, special confetti handed out for player ran events.
Pepper eventually turns to Shok and hisses, seeming to be instinct. It's at this point that Gary comes up and scoops the cat, letting go of his cart for the moment. "Don't be like that." he says. Then he looks at the group assembled, then back down to the cat, "Did you make some new friends?" he asks.
And at this point I have most of the PCs together, and can bring Gary in to interact with all the PCs at once.
Newt nods, "Yeah. In oticed trees tend to be green alot." When Alin looks over at the cat Newt does too and smiles, cocking his head to one side slightly, "Pepper?"
[OOC] Newt says, "bbs."
Nice to know when someone has RL or needs to disappear for a few minutes. Especially in scenes like this. Since this isn't a major scene and it can go on without Newt, we simply keep going.
"Pepper? Seemed more like a Coco.. knew a Coco at a club in East Enaj. Now.. that was... Nevermind." Majors starts then starts. A glance is directed at the cart. "Ello mate, are you opening a pet store of some sort do the Laters just like rather fresh food? I wouldn't put eating live cats quite past them. Well perhaps not eating, offerings to their death gods maybe." He smirks.
"I wouldn't remain so certain of that, Lord Mikin. To use the vernacular of the locals, it would seem the Regent has...right and properly screwed us all. I've kept an eye out and searched, but it's all turned out irrelevant. They can't even figure out where exactly we came from. I'll continue to keep an eye out, but it's look as if at this point there is no way to return home. All I can do is live out my days here and hope my family is safe back home, until I figure out a way to return or more likely until I perish of old age," replies Norran, watching the cat run back to its supposed master before he rises to his feet once more. "You should try to find a happiness here, Lord Mikin. Somewhere, at least. I myself have taken up currently temporary residence on a place called Pyracan. The locals are...wolfmen, to be precise, but exist from a proud culture. The place we're currently staying at offers free rooms to 'Outversers', the group we've been lumped into. I'm thinking of joining the capital city's police force and staying. For now, a sun and a sky are a welcome change."
"Pepper?" Jane echoes curiously, drawing in a step closer to the group and loitering somewhere behind Norran as she stubs out her cigarette with the toe of her boot. Not that she hasn't seen a cat before, but it's better looking at the curious feline than to stare at the ugly, sweaty masses of people shuffling about to and fro. Without ado, she reaches out to tug at Norran's sleeve gently before retracting her hand quickly. She shoves them both into her jeans pockets and leans in to stage-whisper to Norran: "'Ey, buddy, oi'm diggin' the shirt. Nice look." She winks at him, exaggerating the expression with a cheeky smile.
Replacing his gauntlet and standing again, Alin offers Norran a morose, grim look. "As you say, your grace." He responds, although the dull, weary look returns to his expression. His eyes widen at Jane's actions, and he glances away from both of them, ears red. "Eating.. Cats?" He instead asks Majors, looking distressed.
Shok watches the cat being scooped up and raises an eyebrow at Gary before saying "Yours I take it?" he pauses a moment before patting it on the head and saying "Well I suppose cats aren't that bad."
"Pet store? Hardly." Gary explains as Pepper looks out from the human's arms. "We've got reports of some pests, so we have some no-kill traps." he indicates the cart next to him. "Pepper here is just helpful to have around for these kinds of thi-" and as Shok pets the cat, she hisses and hops out of Gary's arms, onto the cart of boxes, spilling several of them, as she runs off again. Gary looks over at the fallen traps and goes to pick a couple of them up. "I don't think she likes you that much."
"Yes eat cats. Its been known to happen from time to time in some cultures." Majors explains idly. AS the traps fall over the Sivadian frowns. "Hmm.. do let me help with that." The man reaches down to try to straighten the cart out.
Norran glances back to Jane, brow raised slightly. "Hm? Oh...yes, thank you for the compliment, Mistress. Yours is...nice, as well," he offers with a nervous smile, turning to look over to the group messing around with the cat and looking even more confused.
Alin looks rather green at the thought of eating cats, although he also attempts to assist with the cart.. Mostly to avoid thinking about it.
[OOC] Newt says, "back"
Shok apologizes quickly for scaring the cat and helps pick up anything knocked over. He says to Gary "Sorry bout that. Didn't really think about the fact I look like a giant dog to it."
"Cats aren't too bad, seriously chewy," Jane announces to nobody in particular, and for a moment she seems to have fallen into a more proper and intelligible Sivadian accent. She circles around and pops up to the left of Alin, watching as Majors stoops to straighten up the cart. She tilts her head to the side to focus on his rear end for just a moment, emitting a low whistle of appreciation beneath her breath. "I'm not a big fan myself - of eating them, I mean."
"Think any of you could help me set these?" Gary asks as people go to help him with the traps. "I can authorize a bit of the maintenance budget for it and make it worth your time." he offers. "It shouldn't be too hard, just setting traps for these little rodents." a pause, "At least they weren't as bad as the rats that infested the station when we first came here."
And here I set the bait for PCs to do something. This completes the setup phase of the event and moves it into the resolution phase. I've introduced the major NPCs (Gary and Pepper), as well as provided the hook/call to adventure... even if it's just as simple as setting traps.
"Hmm? Does the thought of eating a bit of pussy make you that sick?" Majors turns his head slightly to look at Alin. "Personally I think its a chore, but.. well one has to do what the culture demands." He chuckles softly. Gary gets a glance. "You need help catching rats.. alive? How odd.. why not just poison the little blighters?"
"I think I'll have to pass. Crawling around in dark cramp spaces is not something I'm made for. Good luck with that, however," he notes to Gary with a quick grin, giving a bow of his head to Newt and Alin. "Should be on my way. Light guide you both." And then he's off for the bars once more.
[OOC] Norran says, "Gettin' late, got some stuff to finish up before I crash."
[OOC] Majors brow waggles at the ladies. He'll oblige if the culture demands it!
[OOC] Jane says, "Wuss, you're just afraid of rats."
Newt takes a step closer to Gary and pipes up, "I'll help."
"Chewy? Well, bog ape was pretty chewy. I've never tried cat and don't wish to." Alin muses, looking nervously at Jane again before giving Majors a completely uncomprehending look. "A chore? One hunts to eat and eats for sustenance. Are you referring to catching the cat?" The graying Mikin gladly gestures to Gary, brightening at the prospect of money. "How does the mechanism work, sir? I volunteer."
[OOC] Alin says, "Laters Nor :)"
[OOC] Majors takes Alin aside to teach him about the birds and the bees.
Shok glances at the traps he is picking up and decides he has nothing better to do than set up a few and replies "Very well I'll help."
[OOC] Norran yarghs.
Norran has left RP mode.
Norran has left.
Jane shoots an amused grin toward Majors, catching on to his innuendo and edging closer in his direction. One glance is cast back to Alin, and this time it is her turn to look scandalized; how can the man not understand any of this?! "You poor peasant," she murmurs quietly, and her breath catches in her throat as she tries to quell a rising pretend-sob of sympathy for the ignorant. After a moment of squinting at Alin and attempting to squeeze out a few tears, she exhales loudly in defeat and looks back toward Gary. "I suppose I can help distribute those."
"Catching the rats." Gary answers Alin, "Been told the bio people want to poke at them." Gary says. Then he picks up a trap, showing how it's set up by sliding the openings of the boxes a bit. "And then, when it goes inside, the weight'll make it so they close right in on them and we can pick them up alive. They look like-" and Gary stops as he sees Pepper arrive, this time with a small rodent like critter, placing the barely still alive animal in front of Gary. "Well done!" he says to Pepper. "Like that." he says to the rest.
I could have described the rodents, but offering a quick description and making sure PCs had a visual meant that I didn't have to worry about 'do I know what they look like?' style questions later. Also, using the no-kill traps allows the possibility of allowing the PCs to set the traps and bringing them back in a future event if needed, though most likely they'll simply be referenced as background in a Svajone ran biology lab.
Newt watches pepper drag the near-carcass in and deposit it before Gary and makes a face. "Gross."
"Live rats? How pleasant." Majors snorts and shakes his head. "If the funds are good enough I see no problem though. I have nothing better to do then teach this young man here a few pointers." He replies, indicating that Alin is said young man. "Doesn't seem to know a thing about pleasing a proper kittne."
Having been shown how to work them, Alin picks up a trap, simply nodding-- That is, until Jane starts in on her tirade and he wheels on a booted heel, glowering at her. "I assure you, madam, that I am a born full-blooded member of the peerage, not a peasant. I may have been ripped away from a secure and wealthy life in service to my House and our lands and flung into this unnatural existence with tinned air and no sky or earth or rivers, where I am indeed in poverty and ignorant of how to work your contraptions, but I am no _peasant_, and you will not take away the last peice I have of my identity." The last sentence is practically spat, as he turns his back on Jane and goes about setting up traps as instructed.
"Yum," Jane mutters, eyeballing the nearly dead creature that Pepper deposits regally before Gary. Her nose wrinkles, but she gives a little chuckle and nudges Majors while tilting her chin toward the display. "Hey, look, it even spits out rats like those pussies you were mentioning. Coincidence?" But her humor is short-lived as Alin catches her attention, and she watches him passively as he rants at her until practically frothing at the mouth. Her only reponse is a thoughtful nod and a quirked eyebrow. "New places are always stressful," she says with a sigh before turning to collect handful of traps from Gary with a pleasant smile.
Shok raises an eyebrow at the near hostility from Alin and Jane but merely takes his traps and goes about setting them up.
Gary points towards the 'north' side of the bay, "Start over there, if you would. I'll start with these on the other side. I'll send Pepper with you, if you need anything, just tell her shortly after she meows a couple times." pause, "Thanks for the help." and with that he starts pulling the remaining traps towards the direction he said he'd go, as Pepper stays with the group.
I separated the PCs from Gary so that most of the stuff that comes up meant the PCs could solve it with their own skills, and not those of the NPCs.
Newt stands there watching silently and wide-eyed as Alin tells Jane off. His only reaction to it is to mouth a silent, "Wow." Once Gary speaks up he looks back to him, then the north side of the bay. One nod and he grabs a few traps before Gary leaves and begins to head off.
Having said his bit, Alin strides towards the North, traps under an arm. His expression fades in short order from thunderous back into what must once have been his 'game face' of professional neutrality. If his eyes are still a little stormy, well, maybe he just really wants to catch some rats, or something.
"I think it was something else bloody and screaming." Majors agrees absently with Jane. As the two start to fight he rolls his eyes. "You certianlly going to have a hard time if you expect anyone to respect a title from a place we barely understand. Enjoy your life as one of us commoners." The Sivadian adds as he picks up a couple traps and starts to stroll along, laying them about here and there.
Jane glances at Majors, her expression puzzled as she plucks up an armful of traps. She once more watches Gary as he directs the group where to go, and without another word she trudges off at a slightly different angle than the rest of the group.
[OOC] Mikage says, "Okay, does anyone here have Husbandry?"
Shok goes about laying traps to the north around the area Alin is and says to him "Don't worry it isn't too bad here. If it makes you feel better you were right to tell her off like that."
[OOC] Alin says, "I used to when I had a sheet."
[OOC] Alin says, "XD"
[OOC] Jane says, "Nope, not me."
[OOC] Jane says, "And I need to scoot unexpectedly. :("
[OOC] Alin says, "Wik's gonna reset me after this, all my points and skills poofed entirely."
[OOC] Alin says, "Aww. Thanks for the fun Jane :)"
[OOC] Mikage waves. - Okay, let's try Plan B: Does anyone have any skill or specialty that could be justified as helping in hunting down rodents?
[OOC] Newt says, "husbandry? is that when you get a husband? if so, no."
[OOC] Jane waves! Sorry Mikage, but thanks for an introduction back into OS! I might actually play Jane now, so long as Majors promises to make sex jokes a lot.
[OOC] Mikage says, "Yay!"
[Skill System] Majors tests his Performance + Singing at a modifier of 0. The result is 6.
Jane has left RP mode.
Jane has left.
[OOC] Majors is the Pied Piper.
[OOC] Mikage says, "Okay, I'll trust you Alin: +roll husbandry at +2"
Trying to give PCs something to roll that has something to do with trap setting. This is kind of a weird one, since there aren't many relevant skills in the skill system. Sometimes it's simply best to ask PCs to try and make some kind of case. Ultimately I wind up making a special exception for Alin so that we wouldn't get bogged down at this section.
[Skill System] Alin tests its Husbandry skill at a modifier of +2. The result is 3.
You paged Alin with 'Okay. Alin would notice the rodents can be seen closer to a landing space that has a ship on it, but no people.'
Page is a wonderful command. It helps relay information to PCs while letting the PCs share the information with the other PCs. This prevents 'parrot syndrome' where a PC simply repeats what the GM tells them.
Calm restored, Alin responds absently to Majors in a neutral tone, "You can stick a crossbow bolt in a quiver of arrows, but it's still a bolt." His gaze tracks along the bay, brows creasing as he asks, "Is it just me, or are there more of 'em over that way?" He gestures towards a landing pad occupied by a ship but no people around.
[OOC] Majors says, "Since there is so few of us left now, are we still three posing?"
[OOC] Newt says, "nah. I'd say order be gary majors alin me shok (effectively that is 3 post I think :)"
[OOC] Alin says, "Sounds good to me"
[OOC] Mikage says, "We can do that."
Resorting the scene, trying to keep order. A good thing.
Newt looks where Alin points and shrugs. "I dunno. Never had to catch rats before."
Pepper follows the group along. Near where one of the rodents is, she hides behind a corner, lying low, like cats sometimes do. After a couple moments of this, she pounces on the rodent, then proceeding to pick it up and follow the rest of the group along.
"And that is bloody how the black death started." Majors comments as he looks over at the ship Alin gestures at. "Hmm? In either case my good man, a bolt and an arrow are both outdated and silly." He adds absently as he starts for said ship.
Shok shrugs at the outdated and silly statement and replies "I don't know. There are probably two people at least I can think of that might be able to do some harm with a crossbow. Those 2 being Varal and Rillitan."
"Mmh.. I suppose that's an advantage of living in structures like these. Castle larders always had problems with them. Shadow district always used to have one plague or another going through it because of them. Was the black death something similar?" Alin heads towards the craft, adding, "You seem bright enough, sir, to replace my analogy with one of your own that fits better into your life. I grew up with bows and maces and swords, so it doesn't seem silly at all to me to speak of them. Varal? I remember him. He's a kinsman of mine. Good man."
Newt decides to keep out of most of the subject matter being tossed around, "Varal is pretty cool. You knew him too?"
As the group approaches the ship, the cat plops down the rodent and meows a couple times.
"Hmm? Yes it wiped out a good portion of Europe." Majors nods absently. "A good pulse rifle. That is the way to go." He adds as he tilts his head and tries to find a registration number or name for that matter on the ship.
You paged Majors with 'The ship name is in Lotorez, and the ship seems to be listed as in independent vessel without a flag.'
I didn't have a ship name handy, but by giving him that information, I could keep things moving while giving Majors a good chunk of information to use.
Shok ponders for a moment if they are talking about the same person but decides if that's the case he doesn't want to get into a discussion on rifts so keeps his mouth shut and keeps laying traps.
"I'm not sure how large this Europe was, but for a name like that it must have been bad." He pauses and kneels by the cat, clumsily working the trap for the rat that's been caught.
"Varal's last name is also Mikin.. Distant cousin, he's one of the Light's Reach Mikins. Had a keep named Light's Watch, I think? I can't quite recall, to be honest. I do recall his prowess at tourneys, however."
[OOC] Alin sticks his name in there somewhere.
Newt says "I'll get the next trap" as he watches Alain lay one. Having decided to hang with Alin for now he asks "You guys like names with 'Light' in them?"
"The Lotorez... out off.. well doesn't say which port." Majors says "Sounds like one of those bloody Racoon people's ship. No suprise there." He grumbles and tries to find a proper hatch to bang on. "And lets see.. the black death killed something around 75 million people."
[Skill System] Majors tests his Academics + History at a modifier of 0. The result is 3.
[OOC] Majors says, "Hmm"
[OOC] Mikage says, "Give me a perception at -2, Majors, or Mechanical at 0."
Sometimes, you have multiple skill options, and one is better than the other, but the weaker one is still a viable choice. I usually default to the inferior one being an option at an additional -2 modifier.
Shok keeps about his trap laying pretty oblivious to everything else. He begins humming a tune while he does so.
[Skill System] Majors tests his Perception skill at a modifier of -2. The result is 8.
8 is a pretty outstanding success here, so as seen in a bit, I provide plenty of information.
"Seventy five.. Million? You know, before coming here I didn't know that many people could exist at one time." Alin muses, approaching the ship cautiously, warming to the subject as Newt brings it up. "Light's Reach was our capitol, and since house Mikin was known for being defenders of the Light, it entered our vernacular more than the other families. There were six of the great Houses, and each one had a distinct reputation and specialty. Everything was inside a great tall wall called the Aegis, to protect us from wildlings that had been attacking us for a thousand-some years, and the houses divided up the territories into cities, under the watch of the his majesty. Wouldn't work if we had seventy five million people, I imagine."
You paged Majors with 'Okay, it looks like a few parts of the ship are in pretty bad shape, including some holes in the hull, and upon looking inside it looks like this is where all the rodents hang out.'
[OOC] Majors says, "Is Newt still here?"
[OOC] Newt says, "yes."
[OOC] Majors says, "Ah"
Newt listens attentively as Alin explains, "So you guys were like soldiers and stuff and other groups did other things? What are the wildlings and how come they got so mad at you?"
"Yes... well.. This is where our problem is. I doubt the bloody thing can even hold in space. Lets strip the goodies and see if we can just vent the bastard." Majors says as he pokes around the ship. "Bloody mess."
Shok looks up at the phrase "Strip the goodies" and asks Majors "What exactly are we stripping...On second thought I'd better rephrase that with the number of inuendos you've been making. What are we taking apart?"
Alin looks genuinely relaxed as he grins at Newt. "Close enough. Oh, they were nasty things. Poison claws that drive men mad, and later we found out they could speak, but not like we do. I think someone in this land called it telepathy or sonics or something." Turning to Majors he asks, "How does one do this venting thing?"
Pepper follows Majors around a bit, trying to be sneaky, but after a couple moments gives it up and meows a couple times again, looking up at the others.
Newt makes a face at the description as he watches Pepper, "So they were psi's too? They sound pretty nasty. What sorta stuff would they say?"
"Well... We take what is salvagable.. I doubt this heap's owners are about anymore." Majors replies as he rubs his chin. "Damn bloody mess.." He mumbles once again as he tries to pry open a hatch.
[OOC] Mikage says, "Any skills that might help at opening a hatch, Majors? We'll default to strength if you've got nothing else."
"Don't know, really. I wasn't on the expedition where they finally bothered to talk to us. Usually it was more of a 'mass attack the wall and try to slash your guts out once a year' sort of experience." Alin responds, hitching his shoulders in a shrug. "Anyroad, maybe someday these flying contraptions of yours, the ones without the rats, will find Fastheld and I can go home." He regards the craft, having no idea what's salvegable.. So he settles for going over to the other side of the hatch from Majors and prying too.
[OOC] Shok says, "would you let trying to use a pole to pry it up fall under melee?"
[OOC] Alin technically has a war mace still in his desc XD I'm not sure if the station people let folks walk around with blunt metal weapons though.
[Skill System] Majors tests his Strength skill at a modifier of 0. The result is 2.
[OOC] Majors is weak.
[OOC] Majors wrestles the door.
[Skill System] Majors tests his Unarmed + Grappling at a modifier of 0. The result is 7.
[OOC] Mikage says, "It'd still be strength, Shok. - And really, you shouldn't have it if you're just visiting. - Though others can try strength to try and help. - If you want to use a pole, it'd be bashing the door in, but it is doable."
[OOC] Alin nods, didn't pose anything about wearing it just in case.
[Skill System] Shok tests his Unarmed + Striking at a modifier of 0. The result is 11.
[OOC] Alin says, "Well, since I'm without a functioning sheet, figure they can open the door themselves with rolls like that XD"
[OOC] Mikage says, "Okay. Feel free to pose working on bashing the hatch in next pose, you guys."
[OOC] Majors says, "Streets of Rage time baby. Just beat it off its hinges."
Okay, this /is/ a bit silly, but I decided to allow it figuring that the hatch was weak and that it kept things going. Sometimes keeping the action going is more important than 'realism'.
Shok walks over to the door Majors is struggling with and attempts to use his fists to bash it in with a series of punches and kicks. He also attempts tearing at it with claws. While doing this he says to Majors "Finally something I'm good at."
Newt nods moving to watch the two try and open the door, "Sounds like lots of fun." To the last he replies, "I'm an explorer so if you want I can tell you if I find it and stuff."
"Bloody hell.." Majors comments as he tries to tear the door down. "It has been a good long time since I tried to break into a place." He replies with a grunt. ".... I should get a plamsa cutter from the Devil."
Alin gladly does his best with his gauntlets and sabatons, too, as he responds to Newt: "Please do. I guess I'm remiss in not trying to get to know this place better, so I'll try harder.. But truly, I want nothing more than to go home."
It doesn't take too long, but the hatch of the abandoned ship isn't quite enough to handle the technique of Shok and Majors, and it comes open, revealing several more rodents who scatter deeper into the dilapidated vessel.
[OOC] Newt says, "t-45 mins till I go afk for an hr."
Shok gives a final punch as the door comes open and stops his door-fu. Upon the doors opening he squishes a mouse or two on their way out and looks around inside.
[OOC] Shok says, "Perception roll?"
[OOC] Mikage nods to Newt. "We should be done by then. - No need for perception at the moment."
[OOC] Majors nods is going to need to run here in like 15 himself.
Katrin arrives from Rec Dome - Svajone.
Katrin has arrived.
Newt replies, still keeping out of the way, "You know... you shouldn't be so grumpy about here. It has pretty nice places too."
Everyone is by an old abandoned ship at the moment, accompanied by a black cat. Gary eventually shows up, with just his carts now. "Would have been nice if you told Pepper when she meowed." he comments. "Though at least it looks like you found the major source of our problem."
"I will be back." Majors comments as he lets go of the door and heads towards the Devil May Care. "Where did I leave that bloody plasma cutter."
[OOC] Majors needs to head out. Thanks for the RP!
[OOC] Katrin says, "Aww, sadface!"
[OOC] Alin says, "Thanks Maj! :)"
[OOC] Mikage waves.
Majors has left RP mode.
Majors has left.
[OOC] Shok sadly must also go "I have English homework to do."
[OOC] Katrin says, "Aw man, I'm just scaring everyone away!"
[OOC] Shok says, "It's cool."
[OOC] Mikage waves, then pats Katrin.
Shok has left RP mode.
Shok has left.
"The cat understands words?" Alin queries, looking somewhat puzzled. He turns to look at the ship and comments, "You know, if there was a patch of land to set this down on, and a good ratting, surely it's not as bad as it looks. It's not collapsing on itself, after all." Away from the Rec Dome wanders Katrin, not in uniform for work, and cradling her left arm against her body. There is a brace around her wrist - looks like she's broken it somehow. She eyes the Irit, frowns and starts to walk that way but hesitates, seeing action further into the bay.
Newt tells Gary slightly sheepishly, "Sorry. Kinda forgot."
"It's okay." Gary tells Newt. Then he looks in the broken hatch before getting out his commlink, "I'll call some security and biology people down here to take care of this." he says, "And thanks for the help, everyone." then back to Alin as he takes a couple steps back, "It's a bit of a long story, but the short answer is 'no.'"
This is me giving the scene a way to wind down. The conclusion is less than exciting, but it does provide sufficient closure to all involved.
Alin chuckles, shaking his head. "Aye, no worries. I don't understand the vagaries of the workings and all that. It was just a comment."
Newt asks, "Are you gonna explore inside the ship or dump her somewhere?"
Katrin inches a bit closer to the group, and therefore the conversation, looking on with curiosity. She hugs her wrist all the closer to her.
"We'll get some experts in on it." Gary says, "But it'll probably end up being melted down and the animals examined in a lab." he points out, then goes to scoop the cat again. "And you did a good job." he says to Pepper, clearly doting on her.