Tuesday, 14 June 2022

Firefly Nav Comp - Turn 2

 Hi Every body,

                         I'm not sure how big this graphic will come. It shows the positions of the three ships that are active at the moment.


You can follow along by reading The Signal.- Kindly provided Richard, our GM. Ricjhard and Kitty, his better half are flying the other two ships. His brother, John, may be joining us at some point. Which means there may be a couple of spare positions going. First past the post wins the spot.

 If you would like to join in the game please email me at ivorcogdell "at" hotmail . com with "Firefly Game 1 applicant" in the subject header. Please note, the turns are fairly frequent, one to two day intervals usually.

Regards all.

Ivor Cogdell

P.S.

Sorry, folks, this one sort of died a death due to work pressures, for the time being..


Firefly - The Signal (Where everybody is in the game) Chapter 1 Turn 0 - 2.

 

THE SIGNAL

The Firefly Initiative

A ship will bring you work, a gun will help you keep it. A captain’s goal is simple: find a crew, find a job and keep flying.

The Unification War resulted in a collapse of trade, particularly in the outer territories. To solve this problem Parliament has launched the Firefly Initiative.

Niska Shipyards at Ezra is selling ex-military hulks and Parliament are providing free registration for new captains willing to brave the black.

Already new ships have been sighted operating around the Space Bazaar and Harvest in Red Sun.

CHAPTER 1 - First Time in the Captain’s Chair

So you finally took the plunge and borrowed enough credits for a ship to call your own. You’re the master of your destiny and right now that destiny looks mighty uncertain! You’re in debt up to your eyeballs with a creditor that’s not the sort of man to be trifled with.

GOAL 1: Makin’ Friends: You ain’t gonna get far in the Verse without makin’ a few friends. It’s just good business.

To complete goal, be solid with two different agents. After completing this goal take a goal token.

GOAL 2: Seein’ Daylight: Carrying a heap a’ debt on your back is no way to live. Scrape together enough cash to get back in the black.

To complete goal, have $6,000 in hand and your first goal token. After completing this goal, take a second goal token.

GOAL 3: Feeding the Shark: Head over to pay off your loan shark. Adelia Niska is not a patient man.

The first player who travels to Ezra with two goal tokens and then pays the bank $6,000 wins this chapter. You own your ship free and clear.

Reaver Alert

Reavers are believed by most of the 'verse to be men that went insane at the edge of space and became savage. They stared into the void beyond and became what they saw: nothing. They gave into their primal nature and all that was civilized was discarded.

Reaver vessels have been sighted at the edge of the Burnham System. The Core Worlds of White Sun are safely guarded by Alliance forces, but the outer Colonies remain at risk. Caution is advised when travelling through Border or Rim Space.

Fly safe brave captains.

Alliance Patrols

Harken, the Alliance Agent is to be found aboard the Alliance Cruiser which is patrolling the White Sun area. Random checks of vessels within that area may occur leading to confiscation of illegal goods and possible fines.

An Alliance Corvette has been sighted at Cortex Relay 2 and is free to travel within any system, hunting down those who would do Parliament harm.

Most Wanted

The Alliance Cruiser patrols White Sun, however some miscreants still persist in a life of crime. Parliament have released their top three most wanted:

River Tam REWARD $4,000: Record Classified – Parliament level security clearance required. Target wanted alive. Caution: This young woman is armed and dangerous, use extreme caution. Last seen on Persephone. May be travelling with her brother Simon Tam.

Simon Tam REWARD $2,600: Wanted for the crimes of: Resisting arrest, impersonating an Officer, Criminal trespass, felony aiding and abetting and public indecency. Last seen on Persephone. May be travelling with his sister River Tam.

Crow REWARD $3,500: For the crimes of: Felony murder, premeditated murder, involuntary murder, aggravated murder and is armed and dangerous. Last seen on Regina. This ex-employee of Niska took it upon himself to start torturing and murdering those wanting to join the Firefly Initiative.

CHAPTER 1 – TURN 1

Harvest – Jubal Early worked mining high quality mud on the planet earning $200

Higgins, Harvest – Jubal Early obtained two jobs. (1) Transport 5 cargo from Harvest to Muir – Shipping / Legal – Reward $3,000 + $500 Transport bonus (2) Transport 3 contraband from Harvest to Liann Jiun – Smuggling / Illegal - Reward $2,800 + $500 Grifter bonus

Persephone – Womack purchases Security Interface Pad for $1,000 and an Enforcer Mercenary for $200

Badger, Persephone – Womack chooses a job: Transport 2 cargo from Persephone to Three Hills – Shipping / Legal – Reward $1,600 + $500 Grifter bonus +/- $500 based on negotiated test.

Space Bazaar – Murphy purchased Tracey an unlucky Grifter for $100 and Scrapper a dirty leech Pilot for $200.

Amnon Duul, Space Bazaar – Murphy obtained two jobs. (1) Transport 2 cargo from Bernedette to Shadow – Shipping / Legal – Reward $1,800 (2) Travel to Hera – Task / Legal – Reward $800 + $400 per Negotiate + $500 per Grifter

CHAPTER 1 – TURN 2
Harvest – Jubal Early worked the transport Harvest to Liann Jiun, loading 3 contraband.

Harvest to Space Bazaar – Jubal Early burned to the Space Bazaar. He had a slight mechanical problem along the way and the burn drew the attention of the Reavers. Their cutters moved slightly out from Reaver Space.

Persephone – Womack worked the transport Persephone to Three Hills and loaded 2 cargo.

Persephone to White Sun near Athens – Womack burned to White Sun near Athens. This burn drew the attention of the Alliance Corvette. Just as Womack was burning away from the Corvette the engines overheated. There was a fire and while bringing this under control the Enforcer Mercenary was fried and jettisoned into space.

Space Bazaar to Bernedette – Murphy burned to Bernedette, drawing the attention of the Alliance Cutter. The Operative in the Alliance Cutter intercepted Murphy at Bernedette and arrested Tracey the unlucky grafter. All other papers were in order and Murphy was released from custody.

Bernedette – Murphy worked the job loading two cargo.


(Hmmm - Not sure what happened here. Ivor.)


Ivor Cogdell

Firefly Turn 1 - The Market

 Turn 1 - Goods and services available.


THE MARKET

Location: Meridian

Type: Ship Upgrade Cost: $600

Reaver-Flage: Ship may move into a sector occupied by a Reaver ship. Discard after losing any crew to the Reavers.

Type: One time use Cost: $100

Fruity Oaty Bar: Eat to either (a) add +1 to any test result or (b) remove disgruntled from the owner

Type: One time use Cost: $500

Heist Intel: On your turn, use to look at the next three misbehave events. Return them in any order of your choice or discard all of them.

Location: Regina

Type: Character Equipment Cost: $1,000

Kaylee’s Re-programmer: + 2 Tech, Hacking Rig

Type: Character Cost $300

Bridget: Grifter, Companion, Deceptive: If Yolanda or Saffron are hired by anyone, remove Bridget from your crew, Negotiate: 2, Tech: 1

Type: Ship Upgrade Cost: $600

Sky Hook: Requires Pilot to use. Counts as Transport when attached to ship. After completing a crime job load one contraband.


Location: Percephone

Type: Character Cost: $200

Enforcer: Merc. Intimidating: +1 negotiate when carrying a firearm. Fight: 1

Type: Character Equipment Cost: $1,000

Kaylee’s Fluffy Pink Dress: + 1 Negotiate, Fancy Duds, When buying from suppliers, you may buy up to three items (instead of the normal two limit)

Type: Character Equipment Cost: $1,000

A Very Nice Hat: +1 negotiate, Fancy Duds, when dealing with agents, you may consider up to four jobs (instead of the normal three)

Location: Silverhold

Type: Character Equipment Cost: $1,800

Burgess’s Laser: +3 fight, firearm, explosive. Requires Tech: 1 to carry this weapon

Type: Character Cost: $300

Jayne: Merc, Public Relations: May carry 3 equipment, Big Damn Heroes: When you proceed with misbehaving gain $100. Wanted. Fight: 2

Type: Character Cost: $300

Saffron: Grifter, Companion, Deceptive: If Bridget or Yolanda are hired remove Saffron from your crew. Negotiate: 2, Tech: 2

Location: Beaumonde

Type: Character Equipment Cost: $1,000

Inara’s Guild Papers: +2 Negotiate, Companion

Type: Character Cost: $200

Barkeep: Grifter, Good Times: Giving your crew shore leave at trade ports is free, Wanted, Fight: 1 Negotiate: 1

Type: One time use Cost: $500

Labour Contract Space Bazaar: From any location, you may use a buy action to hire one crew from the Space Bazaar

Location: Osiris Shipworks

Type: Ship Upgrade Cost: $800

Electronic Defence Suite: Rivals boarding your ship may not use Tech skill for boarding tests. Spend 1 fuel to evade Reaver Cutter. Ignore the effects of either the Reaver Cutter Nav or Contact Event

Type: One time use Cost: $300

Med Foam: Use to count as having made a successful Medic Check (crewmember does not die)

Type: One time use and Character Equipment Cost: $300

Nav Charts: Alliance Space: +1 Tech, one time use to look at the next 5 sector events in Alliance Space. Reorder the events in any way that you want.

Location: Space Bazaar

Type: One time use Cost: $400

Improvised Hacking Rig: Either (a) use to count as a hacking rig or (b) use to add +1 Tech to a tech test

Type: Character Equipment Cost: $1,000

‘Bona Fide’ credentials: +1 Negotiate, Fake ID

Type: Character Cost: $100

Gun Hand: Merc, Expendable: When killed, discard instead of removing from play, Fight: 1














Firefly - Turn 1 - 3 Job Chioces

 Firefly Board Game

Turn 1 - 3 Player : Ivor.


Captain: Jubal Early. Age 24. Profession: Pilot Hire Cost: Free


Abilities: Bounty Hunter: +2 Fight when Attacking in Showdowns. May carry 2 gear.


Skills: Fight = 1, Tech = 1, Negotiate = 1.


Gear: Nothing.


Background : Jubal grew up on the mix of stations that make up Amnon Duul, ferrying cargo from station to station. Good at bargaining for jobs. Got into scraps with other cargo haulers. Studied the tech of what he was hauling to gain inside information of what was going to be the next big thing to be a hit with the punters.


Siblings: Sister - Grace Early, Works in Amnon Duul, Hab 4 Medbay.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Ship Name: Yun Qi Warrant: None Outstanding.

Logo: A running Coyote in red.


Class: Firefly Series III


Special: None

Crew: 6 Hired: 0.


Cargo: 8 cargo, 4 stash. (Available: 4 cargo and 4 stash)


Upgrade slots: 3 (Currently empty).


Drive Core: Radion Accelerator Mark I: 1 fuel to initiate full burn.

Max Burn Range: 5

Ship Cost: $7,800.


Cargo

2 Parts (Cargo 1)

6 Fuel (Cargo 3)


Current Location: Higgins Harvest.


Last Port: New Kasmir (Food Containers).


Maintenance Log :

Flight Certificate: In Order.

Grav Plates: Passed.

Sensors : Passed.

Air Pressure Test. Passed.

Drive: No radiation leakage.

Nav Comp: Calibrated and up to date.

Transponder Code : Newhall F.III. Mkr.455 E443392 .


Ship’s Log: Wiped.


Ownership - Jubal Early.


In Debt to Niska $12,000.00


Paid Back $0.00.


Funds $3,200.00.


Current Client: -


Pending Jobs: -



Ships Log


Harvest, Red Sun


Magistrate Higgins is the final word of law on Higgins' Moon, a small moon that is a primary export of high-quality mud, used for clay and in ceramic substances with numerous applications. He treats his workers, known as "Mudders", harshly, almost as slaves, and hands out strict punishment to any who crossed him.


Desperate for funds you take up some Mud work for $200. Your available funds increase to $3,200.


You take the opportunity to approach Magistrate Higgins looking for more taxing and rewarding work.


You can choose up to two of the following jobs:


  • Mud Run Muir


  • Mud Pipeline Liann Jiun


  • Mud Pipeline Albion










Mud Run Muir Requires: N/A

Agent: Magistrate Higgns Type: Shipping / Legal

Pick Up: Harvest, Red Sun Details: Load 5 Cargo, Use 1 additional fuel to burn

Drop off: Muir, Blue Sun Details: Deliver 5 Cargo, Reward is $3000

Transport bonus + $500



Mud Pipeline Liann Jiun Requires: N/A

Agent: Magistrate Higgns Type: Smuggling / Illegal

Pick Up: Harvest, Red Sun Details: Load 3 Contraband, Use 1 additional fuel to burn

Drop off: Liann Jiun, White Sun Details: Misbehave to deliver 3 Contraband,

Reward is $2800, Grifter bonus + $500



Mud Pipeline Albion Requires: N/A

Agent: Magistrate Higgns Type: Smuggling / Illegal

Pick Up: Harvest, Red Sun Details: Load 3 Contraband, Use 1 additional fuel to burn

Drop off: Albion, White Sun Details: Misbehave to deliver 3 Contraband,

Reward is $2800, Grifter bonus + $500


I pick the first two Jobs.


Ivor Cogdell














Wednesday, 8 June 2022

Firefly Board Game - Character Choice

Hi Everybody, 

                      My GM Richard is starting a Firefox Board game and here is my starting character stats. I have yet to hire crew or get a job. For the rules and general information on how to play, there are a few playing demo videos on Youtube.


 Turn 0. - Edit 2d                                                                        Player : Ivor.

Captain: Jubal Early.  Age 24. Profession: Pilot Hire Cost: Free 

Abilities: Bounty Hunter: +2 Fight when Attacking in Showdowns. 

Gear - 2 Slots: Carrying Nothing yet.

Skills: Fight = 1, Tech = 1, Negotiate = 1.

Background : Jubal grew up on the mix of stations that make up Amnon Duul, ferrying cargo from station to station. Good at bargaining for jobs. Got into scraps with other cargo haulers.  Studied the tech of what he was hauling to gain inside information of what was going to be the next big thing to be a hit with the punters.

Siblings: Sister - Grace Early, Works in Amnon Duul, Hab 4 Medbay.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ship Name: Yun Qi Class: Firefly Series III       Warrant: None Outstanding.

Logo:  A running Coyote in red. Ownership - Jubal Early.

Drive Core: Radion Accelerator Mark I: 1 fuel to initiate full burn.  

Max Burn Range: 5 

Upgrade slots: 3 (Currently empty).

Crew Berths: 6 Hired: 0.

Cargo Hold - 8 cargo, 4 stash. 

2 Parts worth a total of $600. (Takes up 1 Cargo Slot).

6 Fuel worth a total of $600.  (Takes up 3 Cargo Slots).

Maintenance Log :

Flight Certificate: In Order.

Grav Plates: Passed.

Sensors : Passed.

Air Pressure Test. Passed.

Drive: No radiation leakage

Nav Comp: Calibrated and up to date.

Transponder Code :  Newhall F.III. Mkr.455 E443392 .

Security: Active.

Weapons: Classified.

Ship’s Log:  Wiped. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last Port: New Kasmir (Food Containers).

Current Location: Higgins Harvest.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Finances.

In Debt to Niska $12,000.00            Paid Back $0.00.        Funds $3,000.00.

Status:

Current Client: -    None                   Current Job -

                                                        Pending Jobs: -

                                                        Job Offers - 


Enemies - None.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No doubt it will get expanded as we go hither and yon. I do intend to add to the ship's log as we go about the star systems. Not sure how much info comes under copyright.


In no way do I intend to infringe the Copyright © and Registered ® Trade Mark™ of Firefox.



Regards all,


Ivor Cogdell










Wednesday, 25 May 2022

Thoughts On - Hobby Shopping - Updated

 Hi Everybody,

                      I have been pondering spending in the hobby at the moment, as I have been earning a wage for the last 6 months, after a two-year gap of employment. There are some great products out there, but I have a problem justifying the expense of it.


 Hardback rule sets have come in at £20 - £30 pounds, with fantastic artwork. But the problem is, we have a major crisis coming down the road at us all, with food and energy bills going up and that's just what we know about at the moment.

 There is usually .pdf files of games and rules available, which is great, but without a tablet, you are usually looking at a large outlay of ink to do it justice, which does not come cheap. (I don't think I have turned my printer on this year, as I was on my last cartridge.)

                      So the question is, "Do I spend on the hobby, now or later, go down the PDF route (with or without printing the files out), or use what I have until things calm down if they ever do."

In case you are wondering what my shopping list might be, Edition three of Five Parsecs from Home in hardback (Modiphious Press) .D100 Solo Adventures, Ironsworn Starforged, not to mention some sort of upgrade for my 12-year-old, long-suffering PC.

Do let me know if you have a similar situation in the comments and what your goody list is at the moment.

Regards all,


Ivor Cogdell

P.S. I do have the second edition of Five Parsecs From Home, which I have had for a while. I have been waiting to get some more figures and terrain, thanks to the generosity of the author, Ivan Sorensen.

P.P.S. 15 October 2022 - I have upgraded to a SATA 2 SSD, it was delayed by the postal strike, plus the events described in the post "Disaster" (3 Nov 2022"), so it has not been fitted yet. I plan to do a clean install of Windows 10 on it. 

3rd November 2022 - I was made redundant at the end of last month, so that pretty much limits me to free stuff on Drive through RPG until my fortunes do an upturn. Please do comment though if you see something I should add to my wish list.

7th November - I spotted a 10" Samsung Tablet in a second-hand shop. "Not too expensive", I thought, "at £38 GBP. Once home, I found out why. I could not get a secure connection to the net. The "Play Store" was out of date and would not load. Edge, Chrome, Safari and Firefox browsers would not load. I could not download any PDF reader/editors, which is what I had planned to use it for mainly. Needless to say, it went back to the shop the next day.

 A sales assistant asked, "Were you not told it was sub-standard when you bought it ?" 

"No", I replied, thinking "Otherwise I would not have bought it, you idiot".

I am proud to say, I gave better service to my customers when I worked in retail. But, at least I did get my money back.

Ivor Cogdell



Wednesday, 18 May 2022

Thoughts on - Shows 1

 Hi Everyone,

       I was looking forward to going to a couple of the wargame shows this year, Alumwell in Wolverhampton and Barrage in Stafford. Both, i see are now cancelled, unfortunately. Are there any shows going ahead that I can get to by public transport from Birmingham UK ? (Salute- London, I would imagine, would be one, but not sure what travel times involved on the tube.)

         I saw one in the Walsall area, but it was to far away from the bus lanes. The Birmingham games expo is still on as far as I know, but I don't  think there is any wargaming apart from board games. Please correct me if I am wrong on that point, as I have never been to one, yet.


Regards all,

Ivor Cogdell