Thoughts on - Alien RPG pt 2 (No Spoilers)

 Hi Everyone,

                    This is my second musing on playing the Alien RPG (C) by Free League Games. So far all of the PC's are still alive at session seven, each session lasting for about three hours play. We have had some disasters (big time), some errors of judgement, some out of our hands. We have come across aliens, we killed some, but have also had some casualties amongst the NPC's.

                 In battle, we get one attack and they get two. You need about 10 six sided dice per player. you roll your stress dice first, to see if you can attack it and then the rest of your dice pool to see if you hit by getting a six, damage is deducted from its hit points depending on what you were using to splat it with..

                Without giving anything away, there are other things you will be doing when you are not alien hunting, such as repairing things and trying to get your stress levels down. When you get bad news or you meet a new type of alien, your stress level goes up by one, which affects your performance and in some cases affects your team mates too. You know you are in trouble when your stress score reaches double digits. LOL.

                In our latest episode, we have just finished all of our repairs and are just about to head back to base. Will we make it. Tune in next time to find out.......

                I have been informed that there are quite a few types of missions that you can go on. A starter kit and expansion modules are available, which is great news, as we are all enjoying ourselves. That counts as a successful use of time and money. It can be used on the FOUNDRY virtual tabletop app.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Regards one and all, keep watching those corners,

Ivor Cogdell

For more information go to https://www.alien-rpg.com

 

Thoughts on - Alien RPG pt 1 (No spoilers)

 Hi everybody,

                        I have just played the first episode of the starter game of Alien RPG by Free League Games. By courtesy of my gaming buddies of long standing, Kitty, hubby Richard (the GM and NPC controller), plus the cat ( in-house random tables) and brother, John. There is a starter set and at least one expansion module to get. Richard got the game at a local games store.  Character creation was simple, just a few stats blocks and choices to make. I believe the online community have made content for the game as well. There are character sheets (Static and dynamic) and graphics to download on the website. There may be a Roll 20 virtual setting, but I do not know for sure about that. We were using video conferencing, but this only lasts for an hour, unless you get the premium version.

 The introduction got us into the mood of the game and established character types and frictions or connections between players. I am playing a space dock, red haired roughneck, James, nicknamed "Rooster" Kincaid.

                      There is a good setting and introduction to the background to the story. It took about three hours to get to the second act. How and why you get to this point is up to your GM and your characters. You can do as you please, at one point one of our children set fire to a lab. Yes, you will be pleased to know that there are stats for children. I(f you allow your actual munchkins to play, is up to you. (Our GM rated it as a certificate 15, for all of the violence yet to come). We did try to do a recording, but sadly, it failed. (The others were ok, but have not been edited by the gm yet. I will add a link when ready).

                     Once we arrived at act two, here is where you follow your own path. It took us about three hours of play to get to this point.  If you have seen the original films, you know what to expect. If you have not, you are in for a treat. Go find Alien and its sequels, including its clash with predator.

                    I was the first one out of the airlock and down the ladder, wish me luck....

Ivor Cogdell

For more information go to https://www.alien-rpg.com

Alien RPG (C) by Free League Games

Thoughts On - Eco Warriors 3

 Hi Everyone,

                     Cop 27 has finally rolled around. I was keen to hear what progress had been made since COP 26 in Glasgow had departed from the headlines. As many protesters had predicted, we are still showing the highest levels in methane and CO2 emissions. In other words, "Bugger All!". With another year wasted.

The political leaders will cite the assorted problems we have had in the last year, such as the war and the energy crisis, the UK election and the following fiasco of a budget. Their response was to go back on the same old solutions that got us into a mess in the first place. Start a new coal mine "But it will be very efficient, promise". Start a new nuclear power plant "It will be ready in about 15 to 20 years, all being well and within budget, promise" . To the energy companies, "Here are 101 licences to drill for more oil in the north sea, have fun! We won't mind if you spill a bit now and then."

BIGWIGS  Take Note, We are all out of Magic Wands, You need to fix it 

What they should be doing is change to a coalition government to stop all of the squabbling between them, pump more money into battery research and manufacture, boost jobs, increase renewable energy sources, including hydro power. If every bridge had a water wheel under it, we would have more power than we could shake a stick at. Make as much of them out of recycled materials as possible.

There is no planet B, we are here to stay

I do wish COP 27 well, its aim is less promises, more actual dosh on the table. Good luck with that at the moment. The developing countries say give us some dosh, we are not to blame for this. Which is true. To be fair, we have been giving them aid in one form or another, when it suits us, through charities etc. Hopefully, they can come to some sort of agreement. We are all in this together, as some folks seem to forget.

Another Lightbulb Moment

UK Science and research seem to think their funding will be cut in the latest funding review. Another short sighted move. We have world renowned science teams, but they can only produce results with a steady assured flow of money. Once the money stops, the "boffins" are poached to other countries where they get more pay and perks, then investment in this country goes somewhere else. When the breakthrough comes along, we have to buy it off them, instead of being able to sell it to them. Idiots. The politicians are supposed to be well educated, act like it.

Finally

A well known saying from the Second World War comes back into everyday use , "Turn that light off !". Good advice.

Ivor Cogdell

Thoughts On - Disaster Strikes

 Hi everyone,

                      It had been a disaster of a week, in fact, not to put too fine a point on it, it had been a double whammy last week. To start with, my email account was hacked and the site was totally deleted by two despicable souls, who should be locked up in a small smelly cell, with the key dropped in the nearest bottomless pit. On top of that calamity, I finally discovered that I had been made redundant.

                     I could not have been zapped at a more unfortunate time, so I hope they are happy with themselves. All of the communications about my pending redundancy had gone to my email, which then got wiped before I saw them. Not that the cherubs in the "Human Resources" team had any idea of my problem, of course. I had not any clue as to what was going on when my timesheet went blank when I went to check my shift for the following day. I knew that some others in my team were leaving; but since I  had not received any notifications over any of the other channels to say that I was being "Ramped Down", as they put it in political speak land. Just call it redundancy and be done with it. The bigwigs had left my team leader in the dark too, so he could not confirm or deny what the situation was.

                    Once I had got another email up and running, numerous emails were sent off, followed by frequent calls to automated helpdesks that just requested me to send an email instead. I tracked down the number of another local branch and after confirming my id, they were able to state that I WAS one of those that had "Walked the plank" off the pirate ship.

                      I am now beginning my search for the next way to earn myself a crust. I have an updated CV to pass on to my agency recruitment team and look forward to when I can be a productive member of the community once more.

Time will tell.

Regards to one and all, as the showbiz folks say, "Break a leg", if you are job hunting like me.

Ivor Cogdell

P.S. The printer is running out of ink to print my CV. It's a good job we have the net, too, otherwise, I would be stuck.

Staycation

 Hi Everyone,

                    I've got a staycation going on at the moment. I have had a ride along our local river bank and a ride from Berkswell, going towards Meriden and then swinging over to Henley in Arden on Saturday. I first did this route on foot 40 years ago with some walking pals of mine. My journey crosses the HS2 high-speed rail route, now under construction, so I wanted to see it once again in its mostly unspoiled state. Looking at an online map, I see they have had to change the walking / cycling "Green Route" to Kenilworth as well. The start is on the south side of the tracks, in a club car park, and across a couple of fields before you get back on the normal route. 

                      One of my workmates put me on to "Fall Guys" - the PC game. I have not had a chance to download it yet, but it looks fun on the mobile clip I saw. I just hope my poor old PC can take the strain.

I had the chance of going to a blues session tonight, but it was an outdoor event, so I gave it a miss, there was a 70% chance of rain.

 I did a bit to my "Nations Battle" today. I was working out what occurred in turn five, which was a bit of a slow nightmare for me since I was so rusty at it. I still have a couple of elements to work on. Time for dinner. I shall give it a go another day.

Regards,

Ivor Cogdell

Holiday break

 Hi Everyone,

                     It's holiday time again. I have just been for a few days in Blackpool with some mates. I have some more to take yet, but I'm not sure where to go yet, apart from it being down south, or exactly when. So if things slow down a bit, that's why. I have got a Firefly episode to post here. The garden needs doing too. I have a cold to boot.

Take care,

Ivor Cogdell

Update - 6 Sept 2022. I got some of the garden done. Also, see the Staycation entry.

Firefly - Jubal Early Turn 2a - Turn 4

 Hi Everyone

                    Here is my latest instalment of our Firefly Board game, with a bit of fluff thrown in the mix occasionally.

Turn 2 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. Currently as a porter, but studying for the Nurses entrance exams.

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

Crew

Rodrigo Ponsonby Cost: $100

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

Ship Name: Yun Qi Warrant: None Outstanding.

Logo: A running Coyote in red.

Class: Firefly Series III

Special: None

Crew: 6 Hired: 1

Cargo: 8 cargo, 4 stash. (Available: 2.5 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

0 Parts (Cargo 0)

4 Fuel (Cargo 2)

3 Contraband (Cargo 3)

Current Location: Space Bazaar.

Last Port: Space Bazaar

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 $7,500.00.

Current Client: - Higgins

Waiting

Mud Run Muir Requires: N/A

Agent: Magistrate Higgins 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

Working

Ships Log

Turn 1:   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 the two following jobs:

• Mud Run Muir

• Mud Pipeline Liann Jiun

Turn 2: You decide to fly to Liann Jiun via the Space Bazaar. The Artificial Intelligence Auto-Loader decides that the most efficient action is to Work the Lian Jiun job and then fly. 3 heavy contraband are loaded aboard ship.

You burn two fuel as you set course for Lian Jiun. The ship trembles as you enter high order and burn rapidly toward Space Bazaar where extra fuel can be taken on board.

The journey starts quietly as you burn through the black. ‘What’s that noise?’ you ponder as the engine overheats. With no mechanic you desperately use a spare part to patch the problem. ‘Gorram parts ain’t free!’ you mumble as you continue your flight.

As you near your first point of call the Nav Comm alerts twice barks ‘Reavers on the hunt’. You look at the Nav Comm as Reaver Cutter 1 and 2 move slowly away from Reaver Space dropping small sensors in their wake.

 "Thankfully you see Space Bazaar ahead.

You see another Firefly called Jetwash entering space. As you cross paths the Artificial Intelligence Trader Interface sparks into life: ‘Would you like to trade?’ and a quick response ‘No, I’m penniless’ comes back from Murphy, captain of the Jetwash as the ship burns away in the direction of White Sun. "Maybe next time. Safe Landings, Watch out for them Reavers."

 Space Bazaar Control: "Yanky, you are cleared to dock at Lock 45." 

Jubal : "Thank you control, and its, "Yun Qi".

"That's what I said "Yanky." 

"Its pro.......Never mind. Thank you, Control, we have your nav beacons locked. Docking to Auto."

"Confirmed".

"Docking completed........... Checking Seals ........Confirmed. Welcome to Space Bazaar. Please have the usual documents and Med samples ready".

"Thank you Control. Will do."

Turn 3: As per your instructions you look to buy replacement fuel. The AI suggests replenish the 2 fuel spent in the burn and the 1 part for $500 total.

As part of the same action you can consider a total of three items for purchase from up to 3 visible items at the Space Bazaar and consider up to three random none advertised items. E.g. 3 random, 1 visible + 2 random, 2 visible + 1 random or 3 visible. You can then choose up to 2 items of the 3 to buy. This is a free action as you are buying replacement fuel.

You decide to hire a Gun Hand, a cheap mercenary called Rodrigo Ponsonby.

You use one fuel to burn toward Liann Jiun.

On the way you hear a distant signal, a call for help. Saying a prayer you slide on by. Then you notice the Alliance Cruiser moving stealthily in your direction, possibly interested by your contraband! Your ship lurches as the engine coil nearly gives out! You have to replace the whole damn mess, using both parts to keep flying.

Finally you arrive at Liann Jiun and touch down before any breaks!

Turn 4:  You work the job on Liann Jiun, offloading the contraband. As you do so you encounter an alliance check point. You can’t risk them digging in your records, but luckily neither you nor Rodrigo are wanted by the alliance so they let you proceed.

You gain $2,800 and become solid with Magistrate Higgins. You pay $100 to Rodrigo, his salary for completing the job.

"Let's see what's on the net and who needs something taking somewhere"..

"Vance Dorwitty, the celebrated HoloFlic magnate, was attacked today in SnapDuds Nightclub. His lawyer, Byron McPhee later stated it was a disgruntled fan who had not appreciated him sacking Goriana Sprocket from his latest series of "Beeforamoid for Two". It has not been announced who is to replace Miss Sprocket, but speculation has turned to .......".

Regards all,

Ivor Cogdell

P. S. All characters are totally fictional and in no way represent living or dead people or droids on this or any other planet, moon, space habitat or dwelling or craft.

P.P.S. I'm not sure if Richard has where we were up to on this. My copies were destroyed in my Email hack October 2022.

Firefly retains (C) Copyright. All Rights Reserved.