Waterbrick Down

"Sounds good. You may all survive in one piece yet." "Maybe next time take a little more time to perceive what's around before jumping headlong in, that's all." Enson heals up Ronin to full health before continuing to Meditate. MM Note: I'll have the lake up tonight, just giving a little break for RP.

Combative in the sense of argumentative or contrary (not itching for a fight combative). There were more times when Yelana would argue for a different course of action than she actually agreed with the rest of the group. It may have happened, but I don't think Yelana ever said once that someone else had a good idea. That's not necessarily a bad thing, it just meant that almost every time the group had some sort of decision to make, I couldn't take for granted that Yelana would agree and go along, because she almost never did. I think its necessary, otherwise to your fellow players and to outside readers, it sounds like you're trying to tell a different story (Yelana and the Triad) than what is going on. Because you're the only one in that story it feels very forced to the rest of us because we can't tell it with you. Triad is fine as a background, just like Zaria's religion, it can inform Yelana's actions, but if its something other players and the mission master can't interact with or ask questions about because its supposed to be "secretive" it's better to leave it for RP stuff that happens in the Hall, or on a mission about the Triad that you run. Just because something is public doesn't mean your character has to know it all or that it's 100% exhaustive. You've got to remember there will be areas of gray, so writing off ITA or M-Tek as pure evil just because the Embassy thread gives allusions to those things doesn't mean that everyone must agree with your character's take on them. The biggest one for me was when you were appealing for Soren not to give the cube over to the Space Police. Soren was arguing based on what he had experienced on the Mission about M-Tek and in particular Kish's altruistic personality. Yelana was arguing based on info from the Library (outside the mission) and came across as that should invalidate Soren's arguments because Embassy trumps experience. Same thing for Blackguard, it seemed like you assumed what their purpose/mission was based on the Library, not what the Mission was telling you. That just grinded my gears a little, that's all. Kintobor's advice about adding adverbs to your actions will definitely help in this regard. Using things like boldly, hesitantly, seductively, decisively, cheerfully, etc. will help us understand her intentions better.

Correct.

"I would have to worry about lying there hurt, because I wouldn't get myself in that sort of situation in the first place. You paid me to help you stay alive out here, I can only do that as much as you trust me. There are worse things that mongers out here, let me tell you." "It's a valiant spirit, but courage means nothing if your dead in the snow with monger spears in your back. Perhaps next time you and your companions can evaluate the situation next time. It only takes a few moments to spot the clues for a dangerous situation."

"Yep, this be the Pass. We can continue on through and then swing south across the northern shore of the lake." The snow begins falling rather heavily as the party loads back onto the sled. Enson and Polaris take a few moments to meditate as the Chimeran chows down on some of her Field Rations. Hours pass as the wyrms pull doggedly onward the white landscape zooming past. Here and there trees intersperse the landscape, but for the most part the hills roll on and on. Eventually Sigrún turns the sled southward. "So tell me heroes, what were you thinking rushing down there? How do I know you aren't going to get us into any more trouble?" Party Ensonvilterayquis (Enson) (Duvors) *Mission Leader* 60 cycles old male Quo'ri Character Points: 2/15 Vitality: 4/5 Velocity: 2 Strength: 1 Skill: 2 Smarts: 2 Spirit: 2/2 Proficiencies: Insight 1, Medicine 2, Melee Weapons 1, Religion 2, Survival 1 Spells: Healing Light, Purging Font Credits: 20 Equipment: Void Star Hammer (+1 Melee Elemental), Utility Belt (Tool, grants +1 Engineering or Medicine Check Successes) Inventory: Nanite Elixir 2x, Plasma Potion 3x Polaris Ursaring [with M.I.L.E.S.] (samurai-turtle)15 cycle old female "Chimeran" Character Points: 2/15 Vitality: 6/8Velocity: 2Strength: 2 Skill: 2Smarts: 2Spirit: 1/1Proficiencies: Coding 1*, Engineering 1 (+1, tool), Medicine 1 (+1, tool), Melee Weapons 1, Nature 1, Short Range Weapons 1, Spells: Elemental Evocation, Credits: 0 Equipment: Utility Belt (tool) Grants +1 Engineering or Medicine Check Success, Whirlwind Boomerang (Standard, Elemental, Short Range Weapon),Inventory: Mecha Strike (Standard, Kinetic, Melee Range Weapon), Plasma Potion (x2) Aysu Kundakçı (Peppermint_M) 22 Rotations Old, Female? Adopted Human. Character Points: 2/15Vitality: 6/6Velocity: 2Strength: 2Skill: 3Smarts: 1Spirit: 1Proficiencies: Long Range Weapons 3, Nature 1, Survival 1Spell: Enhanced VisionCredits: 75Equipment: Environment Safe Ammunition "ESA" Rifle (Calibrated Long Range, Energy), Farsight GogglesInventory: Plasma Potion 2x, Essence of Glibness, Pack of Crystalline Feathers (6) Ronin (Yzalirk)[REDACTED] Male [REDACTED]Character Points: 2/12Vitality: 4/5Velocity: 2Strength: 1Skill: 3Smarts: 3Spirit: 0/0Proficiencies: Athletics 1, Deception 1, Melee Weapons 2, Stealth 1Known Spells: NoneCredits: 10Equipment: Cloaking Generator, Hard Light Katana (Calibrated Energy Melee Weapon)Inventory: Decker DaCabe (Endgame) 24 year old male Human Character Points: 2/12 Vitality: 6/6 Velocity: 2 Strength: 3 Skill: 1 Smarts: 1 Proficiencies: Melee Weapons 1, Short Range Weapons 2 Credits: 10 Equipment: Unloaded Pistol (Calibrated Kinetic Melee Weapon), Sandblasted Cuirass (Standard Kinetic Armor) Inventory:

"Still feels off though, usually mongers are less organized and I don't think I've ever seen one lay out an ambush like this... where did you say we should be heading to next?"

MM Note: Not necessarily, I figured I'd give him one opening to potentially end the fight that way.

Enson Intimidation Proficiency vs. Glacier Monger Intimidation Proficiency - (2,5,2) 1 Success vs. (5,4,1) 2 Successes The creature roars back at Enson unflustered and now even more angered. Ronin rushes forward to encourage the Quo'ri to press onward as Aysu fires a debilitating shot into the monster. With a final swing of his hammer, Enson brings a crushing blow down on the monger as it sinks to its knees in the snow and then topples over dead. THE BATTLE IS VICTORIOUS (+1 Character Point to all players) Round 5 Ronin moves to E2 Ronin Rally's Enson - +3 Dice to Enson's next Offensive Combat Check Aysu moves to F4 Aysu vs. Glacier Monger Shaman - (4,3,6, +2) 4 Successes vs. (6,4) 2 Successes = 2 Damage Enson vs. Glacier Monger Shaman - (5,5,1,5,+1) 4 Successes vs. (4,1) 1 Success = 3 Damage Polaris Decker Party Ensonvilterayquis (Enson) (Duvors) *Mission Leader* 60 cycles old male Quo'ri Character Points: 2/15 Vitality: 4/5 Velocity: 2 Strength: 1 Skill: 2 Smarts: 2 Spirit: 0/2 Proficiencies: Insight 1, Medicine 2, Melee Weapons 1, Religion 2, Survival 1 Spells: Healing Light, Purging Font Credits: 20 Equipment: Void Star Hammer (+1 Melee Elemental), Utility Belt (Tool, grants +1 Engineering or Medicine Check Successes) Inventory: Nanite Elixir 2x, Plasma Potion 3x Polaris Ursaring [with M.I.L.E.S.] (samurai-turtle)15 cycle old female "Chimeran" Character Points: 2/15 Vitality: 5/8Velocity: 2Strength: 2 Skill: 2Smarts: 2Spirit: 0/1Proficiencies: Coding 1*, Engineering 1 (+1, tool), Medicine 1 (+1, tool), Melee Weapons 1, Nature 1, Short Range Weapons 1, Spells: Elemental Evocation, Credits: 0 Equipment: Utility Belt (tool) Grants +1 Engineering or Medicine Check Success, Whirlwind Boomerang (Standard, Elemental, Short Range Weapon),Inventory: Mecha Strike (Standard, Kinetic, Melee Range Weapon), Plasma Potion (x2), Field Rations (Consumable, Restores 1 Vitality) Aysu Kundakçı (Peppermint_M) 22 Rotations Old, Female? Adopted Human. Character Points: 2/15Vitality: 6/6Velocity: 2Strength: 2Skill: 3Smarts: 1Spirit: 1Proficiencies: Long Range Weapons 3, Nature 1, Survival 1Spell: Enhanced VisionCredits: 75Equipment: Environment Safe Ammunition "ESA" Rifle (Calibrated Long Range, Energy), Farsight GogglesInventory: Plasma Potion 2x, Essence of Glibness, Pack of Crystalline Feathers (6) Ronin (Yzalirk)[REDACTED] Male [REDACTED]Character Points: 2/12Vitality: 4/5Velocity: 2Strength: 1Skill: 3Smarts: 3Spirit: 0/0Proficiencies: Athletics 1, Deception 1, Melee Weapons 2, Stealth 1Known Spells: NoneCredits: 10Equipment: Cloaking Generator, Hard Light Katana (Calibrated Energy Melee Weapon)Inventory: Decker DaCabe (Endgame) 24 year old male Human Character Points: 2/12 Vitality: 6/6 Velocity: 2 Strength: 3 Skill: 1 Smarts: 1 Proficiencies: Melee Weapons 1, Short Range Weapons 2 Credits: 10 Equipment: Unloaded Pistol (Calibrated Kinetic Melee Weapon), Sandblasted Cuirass (Standard Kinetic Armor) Inventory: Sigrún brings the sled down near the heroes."Well, that was a bit of a close one. Glad to see you all can handle yourselves in a tight scrape though. Everyone still in one piece?"

Classes have now been added to the Training Center. You need to have at least 5 in one of the Proficiency Requirements, but you're free to switch back and forth between missions. A big thanks to @Duvors for all the work put in to making these a reality!

I've just been using the highest one as it still is a sort of proficiency check. But that should probably be clarified in the FAQ. So in order to benefit from directional obscurement, you have to be next to the source (Purple, Indigo, Blue, not White Tiles), but the attacker can't be next to it as well (Black Pips)?

I've admittedly ridden on maybe two trains in my life and I paid zero attention to how they were laid out. I'll just blame the confusion on it being a "space" train. I'm glad Zaria has some enemies to look forward to, I love returning NPC's and the antagonistic ones are always the hardest to pull off. You are right, when I designed the mission I wasn't expecting that much infighting. Admittedly if you had worked as a team, you probably could have easily gotten the cube undetected, but it simply didn't work out that way. There was still good character development, just not the kind I anticipated. I'm a fan of inter-party conflict as well, but I feel it has to be done in a way that mutually builds character development in a way all involved players enjoy. Heroica 1.0 had some really good rivalries that developed among the heroes, but it was because the players had grown to trust one another and that if one person conceded they knew the other player had their best interest in mind and wanted to make something that was cooler than if one person did it on their own. I don't think Mission 1 was the place for this type of development, or at least not in the quantity it occurred. That being said, I'm glad it was enjoyable to read at least, I just hope for less player frustration next time. The part you mentioned about combative inactivity really applied to the battles. Because the party was so often fractured in what they desired the outcome of a battle to be, it often felt you weren't operating as an efficient party. You had all the tools, you just all weren't on the same page and thus the battles suffered for it. Glad you enjoyed the NPC, they're really my favorite part of any mission and I loved getting to expand on Kish and the Engineers more than I had originally intended for them. You're too kind. But yes, generosity is really what makes for a good game. People willing to give of their time, creative talent, chance in the spot-light, and sometimes even character agency to make something greater than any of us could create individually.

MM Note: I'll autorun the next round with everyone moving to attack the Shaman, unless you were wanting to try something else @Duvors The heroes surround the second to last monger with attacks from all sides and the creature falls to solid hits from Ronin, Aysu, and Decker. Enson heals Ronin before advancing on the Shaman as Polaris calls down a thunder strike upon the monster with shocking power. The Shaman takes a moment to meditate, hoping that it could survive the next few seconds. Round 4 Ronin moves to C3 Ronin attacks Glacier Monger Hurler A - (5,5,+2) 4 Successes vs. (6,4) 2 Success = 2 Damage Aysu vs. Glacier Monger Hurler B - (5,2,1, +2) 3 Successes vs. (6,3) 1 Successes = 2 Damage Enson casts Sustaining Healing on Ronin - (6,5,+1) 3 Successes = 3 Vitality Restored (-1 Spirit) Enson moves to F2 Polaris moves to F5 Polaris casts Elemental Bolt at Glacier Monger Shaman - (6) 1 Success = 1 Damage (-1 Spirit) Decker moves to E4 Decker vs. Glacier Monger Hurler A - (5, +2) 2 Successes vs. (5,5) 2 Successes = 1 Damage, KO'd Glacier Monger Shaman Meditates - (4,2,6) 2 Successes = 2 Spirit Restored Party Ensonvilterayquis (Enson) (Duvors) *Mission Leader* 60 cycles old male Quo'ri Character Points: 1/14 Vitality: 4/5 Velocity: 2 Strength: 1 Skill: 2 Smarts: 2 Spirit: 0/2 Proficiencies: Insight 1, Medicine 2, Melee Weapons 1, Religion 2, Survival 1 Spells: Healing Light, Purging Font Credits: 20 Equipment: Void Star Hammer (+1 Melee Elemental), Utility Belt (Tool, grants +1 Engineering or Medicine Check Successes) Inventory: Nanite Elixir 2x, Plasma Potion 3x Polaris Ursaring [with M.I.L.E.S.] (samurai-turtle)15 cycle old female "Chimeran" Character Points: 1/14 Vitality: 5/8Velocity: 2Strength: 2 Skill: 2Smarts: 2Spirit: 0/1Proficiencies: Coding 1*, Engineering 1 (+1, tool), Medicine 1 (+1, tool), Melee Weapons 1, Nature 1, Short Range Weapons 1, Spells: Elemental Evocation, Credits: 0 Equipment: Utility Belt (tool) Grants +1 Engineering or Medicine Check Success, Whirlwind Boomerang (Standard, Elemental, Short Range Weapon),Inventory: Mecha Strike (Standard, Kinetic, Melee Range Weapon), Plasma Potion (x2), Field Rations (Consumable, Restores 1 Vitality) Aysu Kundakçı (Peppermint_M) 22 Rotations Old, Female? Adopted Human. Character Points: 1/14Vitality: 6/6Velocity: 2Strength: 2Skill: 3Smarts: 1Spirit: 1Proficiencies: Long Range Weapons 3, Nature 1, Survival 1Spell: Enhanced VisionCredits: 75Equipment: Environment Safe Ammunition "ESA" Rifle (Calibrated Long Range, Energy), Farsight GogglesInventory: Plasma Potion 2x, Essence of Glibness, Pack of Crystalline Feathers (6) Ronin (Yzalirk)[REDACTED] Male [REDACTED]Character Points: 1/11Vitality: 4/5Velocity: 2Strength: 1Skill: 3Smarts: 3Spirit: 0/0Proficiencies: Athletics 1, Deception 1, Melee Weapons 2, Stealth 1Known Spells: NoneCredits: 10Equipment: Cloaking Generator, Hard Light Katana (Calibrated Energy Melee Weapon)Inventory: Decker DaCabe (Endgame) 24 year old male Human Character Points: 1/11 Vitality: 6/6 Velocity: 2 Strength: 3 Skill: 1 Smarts: 1 Proficiencies: Melee Weapons 1, Short Range Weapons 2 Credits: 10 Equipment: Unloaded Pistol (Calibrated Kinetic Melee Weapon), Sandblasted Cuirass (Standard Kinetic Armor) Inventory: Enemy Glacier Monger Shaman Vitality: 4/5 Velocity: 2 Strength: 1 Skill: 2 Smarts: 1 Spirit: 2/3 Spells: Mystic Binding, Restful Sleep, Elemental Evocation Proficiencies: Insight 1, Nature 3, Survival 1 Equipment: Casting Cudgel (Standard Kinetic Melee Weapon) Innate: Piercing Claws (Standard Kinetic Melee Weapon) Inventory:

It's in the FAQ.

MM Note: @Duvors Can you give an action for Ronin?

MM Note: Soren's little adventure in the Engineering Car while Yelana and Zaria left

Also fixed.

So first off, thanks to Kintobor, The Legonater, and Classic_Spaceman for sticking with the long trek that was Mission 1. You guys are real troopers for seeing it to the end and that alone is admirable. Overall I’d say Mission 1 was enjoyable, but it definitely had some kinks that could have been ironed out. The mission started as an idea based upon the pun title. It shared little resemblance to the seminal mystery, but it was the original jumping off point. As the first mission, I wanted to introduce players to some of the staples of the world, Oc|Tan, M-Tek, Quarm, some of the technology and for the most part I think the mission accomplished at least that. The mission was intended to be a heist setup akin to Quest 2 and the three players definitely approached it each with their own perspective which was fun to see, but also a headache at times to run. My hope was to foreshadow involvement by Blackguard early on and I was jumping for joy when someone finally put all the puzzle pieces together and figured out that Irgonstead had hired two groups and it was cool to see. Unfortunately I can’t say the same about the cube. The players had a good idea, pump the M-Tek employees for info and search in the baggage car, but until Agent Slice actually pulled the cube out of the energy containment unit, I don't know if anyone put two and two together as to where it was being hidden. In the end it didn’t matter too much as there was still a lot of back and forth about what to do with it, but I wondered what other clues I could have given to point the players in the right direction aside from the Blackguard drone. Breaking things down by scene: Hover Train Station This was an open ended role-play puzzle. There wasn’t a wrong strategy for getting on the train. You could have chosen to disguise yourself, fight your way on at the last minute, or become fast friends with the more wealthy passengers. It was interesting to see how you approached the problem and it gave opportunity for the characters’ personalities to come out. Yelana had a good spot of Agent Slice at the beginning which is exactly what I had hoped and it was fun coming up with all the little pieces of gossip the group overheard from the other NPC’s. Economy Car Each of the NPC’s could have contributed to the overall quest in some way, but I think it’s fitting that the group interacted more with the staff than they did the other passengers. You jumped on the opportunity to help Bloeberis out and I liked how it gave us insight into Zaria’s faith and Yelana’s penchant for espionage/bribery. The presence of the Dwarf and his briefcase gave us insight into the shaping of the party’s plans, but it wouldn’t be until later that we realized how divergent they were. Baggage Car Another open ended problem that could have been solved diplomatically, but given hindsight into Zaria’s beliefs, I should have anticipated combat. That being said, you solved the quick find-it puzzle and the first combat went about as well as I could have anticipated. It wasn’t too out of balance and the resolution of having one of the Tvilgard’s killed gave more fodder to feed the ever developing personalities of the heroes. Unfortunately for you, the cube wasn’t in the baggage car so no matter how long you would have looked you wouldn’t have found it. The baggage car also gave opportunity to delve into how hacking/lockpicking works in this system, so that was good to experience as well as show that you can approach a locked door with multiple strategies. Dining Car There was a chance a bar-brawl could have broken out in this car, but I’m actually fine that it went the more subtle route with Soren schmoozing the Kish and Yelana having an interesting experience spying in the bathroom. Classic_Spaceman take note, when the MM is giving you TMI about something, that usually means it isn’t relevant to your mission. Other than that, you could have followed up with the chef’s poor treatment of the staff, but that was about it going on in this car. Business Car You lot never did much in this car except follow the drone. One of the NPC’s could have been plied for a game of cards and the other NPC’s could maybe have given information on Kish and possibly the cube going to Engineering, but that was it. Engineering Car The meat and potatoes of the mission. This is where the cube was hidden and while Soren did a good job getting some information from the Engineers, I do wonder if I gave enough hints. The inclusion of the drone was to help steer folks in the right direction and I think it helped, but I might have needed to include more. The final fight was in some ways always planned. It was simply accelerated to help keep the group on task, little did I realize it would actually cause the party to split even more. I hadn’t anticipated on Yelana appealing to the Triad (of which there is a very obscure link to Blackguard) so I had to override that method of diplomacy as it was a little too close in my perspective of a PC using outside information to influence the current scenario. That being said, it further shattered the frail cohesiveness of the group and while the heroes worked together to beat Blackguard, I could tell they weren’t going to recover as a unified party. The battle itself went like I expected. I could have definitely extended the battle by employing the use of spells and consumables more effectively, but I think it was long enough already and folks were chomping at the bit to move things along. That being said, I felt the balance was a little more what I wanted for a finale battle and the heroes definitely were threatened at one point which was my goal. It was also intended to have Blackguard escape as I’m a fan of recurring villains and hopefully we’ll see more of Agents Pierce and Crunch, after they get a chewing out by Blackguard command that is. Dealing with the Cube and Space Police This is where the party cohesion broke down. At this point there were three competing goals amongst the heroes. Yelana seemed to want the cube for either the Triad or Oc|Tan, Soren was actively trying to keep the cube with M-Tek given Kish’s ideals for free power to the universe, and Zaria was satisfied with the documents they had and didn’t want to take any further risks. All in all it meant a lot of deception, behind the scenes actions, and a general shattering of the comradery of the group, which is something that saddens me. I enjoy quests where in the group bands together to overcome adversity, but this seemed the opposite and I wished that I could have done more to keep everyone together. Thankfully it didn’t result in apathy on players parts, but it was sometimes hard to figure out what was player disagreement/annoyance/frustration and what was character disagreement/annoyance/frustration. While that can be good for character development every once in a while, to have a mission steeped in it from the beginning I think can be draining in the long run. While there was some cohesiveness as a party when dealing with Space Police in that no one wanted to get caught and everyone wanted to get paid, it felt like a begrudging cohesiveness. One thing to note, Sergeant Myron rolled 4 successes on his Insight checks against the Deceptions of the group, so while he didn’t see the need to jail any of the characters, he was definitely peeved that the truth wasn’t coming out. I doubt he’ll be happy to interact with any of the characters again. A note on private actions. Moving forward I’ll probably treat certain types of contest rolls as hidden (stealth, perception, insight, deception, sleight-of-hand) so that players don’t have to worry about outside character knowledge. While you’ll know what your part of the roll is Deception for instance, you won’t know what your target’s Insight roll is. You’ll have to risk whether or not your lie was good enough to probably be convincing to stake your success on. Same goes for stealth or sleight-of-hand, you shouldn’t necessarily know if you were spotted unless someone does something or says something about it. It’s up to you to evaluate how well you performed and whether you should continue your present course of action. All in all, Mission 1 went ok in my book. A bit long because of the disagreements between the players, but in the end you accomplished it successfully and helped expand the world and your characters. Player Feedback Kintobor (Zaria) - A refreshing departure from Karie (not that Karie was bad). You do a good job of embodying the wandering paladin type character. She has a code by which she lives and it comes across not in the haughty sort of way, but in the she’s actually lived it out for a hundred years sort of way. It gives her depth and a sense of groundedness that’s good to see compared to Karie’s bubbly and sometimes cynical personality. Zarai’s faith was also amazing to see fleshed out in this quest and I hadn’t originally planned on there being a lot of opportunities for the different tenants to work their way out, but I’m glad they did and it really made her discipleship to Varuth believable. The bit where she made a formal complaint was awesome and its given so much more depth given her religion. Her interactions with Soren were quite believable in feeling out and coming to terms with an ally while understanding they may not see eye to eye on everything (Mission 1 ending scenes). The conversations with Yelana were also fitting and I’ve to give you credit for never dropping character and speaking plainly about what you as a player wanted, you made it fit for how Zaria saw the situation. She was a good pick of Party Leader and something the team needed even if the group ended up splintering at the end. As a player, you’ve been around the block so many times I don’t need to give you any pointers. The battle system is new to all of us and it takes some getting used to, but you did a good job adapting and pointing out good strategies. I’m glad I could have you for Zaria’s first mission and will always welcome you on more. Soren (The Legonater) - In some ways Soren reminds me of Dyric, albeit a little more cynical. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, just something that makes me smile every once in a while. That being said, Soren’s definitely his own character and I’ll be interested to see the ways his piloting and arcane abilities factor more into his development. You play him as a straight man and I think every group needs that. Reminds me a little of Hoke from Heroica 1.0, but not in a bad way. His schmoozing with Kish was one of my favorite bits and his tense negotiations with the Engineers was also memorable and I think really stretched his social skills in ways that were fun to see. In battles, the mix of gun and magic is a neat combo and I like the way you’re flavoring your spells and interacting with the enemies mid fight, it really kept it fun for me. Your bits with Zaria were well played and your final interactions with Yelana really helped to flesh out more of Soren’s character and the things he thinks matter. You went toe to toe with Yelana and I think that was some of your best writing. While things at the end didn’t necessarily go the way I think you would have hoped, it was interesting to see how Soren’s brain ticked and the plan he pulled threw together. Like Kintobor, you're a veteran to these games so there's not much I can fault you on from an RP perspective, I was glad to have Soren for his first mission and look forward to watching you MM and hosting you again at some point. Yelana (Classic_Spaceman) - Alrighty, considering Heroica: GATS is your first RPG and this is technically only your second mission, I want you to know we have all been in your shoes at some point and it takes time and experience to become comfortable with this type of play as well as the unspoken rules and social contracts we all setup with each other when we engage in this hobby. Firstly I do want to say I appreciate your enthusiasm you bring to Yelana and the lore. You can certainly tell that you’ve read everything that we’ve published and you have a good imagination regarding how the world can be expanded upon. One word to some up Yelana on Mission 1 would be: combative. It never quite felt like she was part of the group and always had an alternative mission. We’ve discussed this privately and I get your reasoning behind it, but I think something to consider that in a cooperative game, as a player your fellow players are expecting you to pursue things for the good of the group first and then your character. Eventually when enough trust between players is built up, you can start pursuing things that are sometimes better for your character than they are for the group, but this takes trust and buy-in from other players and it’s not something you can jump into right away. In each of the scenes, whether it as Abam/Maba, stealing the briefcase, interacting with the M-Tek employees, dealing with Blackguard, and finally trying to obtain the cube, it always felt that Yelana’s priorities were first to the Triad and then to Heroica (the party) and when they competed, the Triad seemed to win out. That’s not to say any of Yelana’s plans were necessarily bad, they just weren’t convincing to her fellow party members and when you can’t get convince folks in a cooperative game to go along with your plan, you need to either decide to concede or be ok with characters and sometimes players being mad with you and that sometimes has consequences in and out of game. From a game perspective you did a good job taking advantage of the scenarios as presented (taking to the proficiency system like a fish to water) and some of your ideas worked (like shooting the tank), but you’ve got to remember to not isolate your fellow players as the real fun comes from working together and not necessarily being “right”. That all being said, you did really well and staying engaged with the story (even in those times where you were away for awhile) and the conversation/arguments she had were at least interesting to read, if not probably aggravating for some of your fellow characters and I’d be interested MMing you again at some point to see how you and Yelana develop. In the end there are three things I’d encourage you to consider on future missions: You can’t win Heroica: GATS - In a way you can, (i.e. get more powerful stats and equipment), but in the end a collaborative RPG is often more enjoyable when people play characters that enjoy questing with one another and trust one another. Yes there can be differences in perspective between character’s motivations, but at the end of the day, the way we win is by telling a mutually compelling/interesting story (MM and players included) that is entertaining to read and contribute toward and makes our characters want to interact again in the future. If you play with an agenda that can go against other heroes, or if you find yourself often acting against the party’s consensus or lying to them over big things (i.e. where is the cube) it really starts fracturing that collaborative experience and as a MM, I want to run a game for a group, not three different games for each individual player. That means you need to work together and find a reason to do so. You have total control over your character, you are perfectly able to make them more compatible with the rest of the party if things are becoming too combative. Aim for consensus not always being right or having the most correct answer to a given scenario. Be careful not to play a veteran - There’s a lot of information on the setting out there, including things like motivations and lots of prior history. I understand Yelana’s character background makes her privy to certain information that might not be available to other characters, but I’d caution you to limit how much of that Yelana actually knows. It is often that those characters who build knowledge by experiencing the world are far more interesting/relatable/and desired as friends than those who already know everything. Some of the stuff Yelana was discussing about M-Tek and the ITA at the end while potentially knowable simply came across as out-of-character knowledge because it implied that she’s had a ton of experience interacting with this type of stuff and that doesn’t necessarily match her Level One stats. Talk with your fellow players - If you’re unsure how a plan might be perceived, or a certain bit of dialog, or a scenario, talk with your fellow players (or MM if applicable) about what you’re trying to do. If you think it’d be really cool to have a certain scene or try something and you think it might negatively impact or really throw a wrench in another player’s plan or character development, discuss it with them before you do it. This applies to everything from betrayal, to romance, to major character development moments. This can help build consensus or allow someone to express why that may not be good for their character and propose an alternative that is satisfactory to all parties. Don’t just assume that everyone finds your character as interesting as you do. Make a case, but be open to criticism or differences of opinion. You’ll find some of the best moments evolve from mutual agreement between players/MM rather than just one sided enjoyment and reluctant acceptance on the part of the other. These are all things each of us has had to learn and while some of the lessons have been awkward or harsh at times, in the end they really do lend themselves to a better experience for everyone. If you goal is to not only have fun, but to make sure everyone else is having fun, something really special can happen then. I'm happy to answer any questions or expand on certain story points that might have been unclear. Hopefully the mission was as much fun for you as it was for me (even in the slightly aggravating parts) and I look forward to playing more with all of you in future missions.

Noted, fixed.

The heroes take their leave of Irgonstead and the Oc|Tan facility heading back for Heroica Hall. It had been a whirlwind of a trip with their cohesion as a party stretched dangerously thin. Each member wondered what the future would bring and whether they had truly acted rightly or had only furthered the machinations of some underlying scheme that was yet to be revealed. Regardless they knew they had fulfilled their duty albeit barely and that a new day would bring fresh opportunities, adventure, and a chance to be... heroes. MISSION SUCCESS! (+3 Character Points for overall Mission Length) Party Zaria Kanara (Kintobor) 226 Year Old Female Elf Character Points: 5/15 Vitality: 6/6 Velocity: 2 Strength: 2 Skill: 2 Smarts: 1 Spirit: 2/2 Proficiencies: Athletics 1, Religion 1, Melee Weapons 2 Known Spells: Warding Bond, Solar Flare Credits: 175 Equipment: Power Khopesh (Standard Kintetic Melee Weapon), Dune Sea Armour (Standard Kinetic Armour), Farsight Goggles Inventory: Repeating Slug Thrower (Standard Kinetic Long Range Weapon), Plasma Potion, Beam Blade (Standard Melee Energy Weapon Soren Aeolus (The Legonater) 31-year-old male Human Character Points: 5/15 Vitality: 5/5 Velocity: 2 Strength: 1 Skill: 2 Smarts: 2 Spirit: 2/2 Proficiencies: Arcana 1, Insight 1, Piloting 2, Short-Range Weapons 1 Credits: 210 Known Spells: Elemental Evocation, Entropic Mending Equipment: MK-12 personal handgun (short-ranged standard energy weapon), Tactical Leathers (Standard Energy Armor) Inventory: Farsight Goggles, Hacking Chip, Vibro-Knife (Melee Standard Energy Weapon), Plasma Potion Yelana Fennix (Classic_Spaceman) Unknown age Female Human. Character Points: 5/15 Vitality: 6/6 Velocity: 2 Strength: 2 Skill: 3 Smarts: 2 Spirit: 1/1 Proficiencies: Artillery Weapons 1, Perception 1, Deception 1, Arcana 1 Credits: 190 Known Spells: Obfuscate Equipment: Modular Sniper Rifle (Calibrated Energy Artillery Weapon), Farsight Goggles, Radiation Gauntlet (Standard Energy Armor) Inventory: Plasma Potion, Cloaking Generator, Standard Issue Security Blaster (Standard Short Range Energy Weapon) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Epilogue "Alright Kish, let's get this thin' unloaded and moved to the lab." "Of course, you have the necessary protective equipment, no?" "Of course, right here in ma briefcase.... ummm." "Well this might be a problem" "Don't go tellin' me about yer problems too. Kish an' me already have enough." "Voices again?" "What? Oh aye. Can't figure 'em out. Always talkin' about some appeal to the imperial convocation sovereign planetoid treaty of blah blah blah." "You've really got to get off the Dwarven mead my friend." "I know, I know." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MM Note: Thanks to all for playing and reading! I'll have more to say in the Mission Master Lounge, but suffice it to say you've been a blast to Mission Master for and hurray Mission 1 of Heroica: GATS is now complete!

MM Note: In the future, please wait for one action to be resolved before attempting another or explicitly link your intentions when relaying the private action.

MM Note: The public action is a strong arm argument (intimidation), the private action would be persuasion but the effects are mooted by the public action.

Yelana Intimidation Proficiency vs. Irgonstead Intimidation Proficiency - (5,4,1) 2 Success vs. (4,4,3,6,1) 3 Successes "What is this some sort of extortion tactic? No you'll take my offer, another peep and you're back to the 50. Anything past that and I'll see you kicked to the curb."

The glacier monger snarls at Enson with a monstrous roar. "Graahg!!!"

The heroes continue to tear through the ranks of the glacier mongers as Ronin, Aysu, and Decker all drop monsters with skillful strikes. Enson keeps Polaris on her feet as the Chimeran helps down on of the ambushing creatures. As the mongers retreat to a more defensible position, Ronin is struck twice, once by magic and another by a javelin nearly knocking him out. Round 3 Ronin moves to C5 Ronin attacks Glacier Monger Chopper A - (6,4,+2) 4 Successes vs. (4) 1 Success = 3 Damage, KO'd Aysu moves to D6 Aysu vs. Glacier Monger Hurler B - (5,4,5, +2) 5 Successes vs. (3,1) 0 Successes = 5 Damage, KO'd Enson moves to F4 Enson casts Sustaining Healing on Polaris - (6,2,+1) 2 Success = 2 Vitality Restored (-1 Spirit) Polaris vs. Glacier Monger Chopper B - (3,+1) 2 Successes vs. (2) 0 Successes = 1 Damage Decker moves to F6 Decker vs. Glacier Monger Chopper B - (2, +2) 2 Success vs. (3) 0 Successes = 2 Damage, KO'd Glacier Monger Shaman Casts Elemental Bolt at Ronin - (3,1,6) 1 Success = 1 Damage (-1 Spirit) Glacier Monger Hurler A moves to D3 Glacier Monger Hurler A vs. Ronin - (3,4,5,+1) 3 Successes vs. (1,1,5) 1 Success = 2 Damage Party Ensonvilterayquis (Enson) (Duvors) 60 cycles old male Quo'ri Character Points: 1/14 Vitality: 4/5 Velocity: 2 Strength: 1 Skill: 2 Smarts: 2 Spirit: 1/2 Proficiencies: Insight 1, Medicine 2, Melee Weapons 1, Religion 2, Survival 1 Spells: Healing Light, Purging Font Credits: 20 Equipment: Void Star Hammer (+1 Melee Elemental), Utility Belt (Tool, grants +1 Engineering or Medicine Check Successes) Inventory: Nanite Elixir 2x, Plasma Potion 3x Polaris Ursaring [with M.I.L.E.S.] (samurai-turtle)15 cycle old female "Chimeran" Character Points: 1/14 Vitality: 5/8Velocity: 2Strength: 2 Skill: 2Smarts: 2Spirit: 1/1Proficiencies: Coding 1*, Engineering 1 (+1, tool), Medicine 1 (+1, tool), Melee Weapons 1, Nature 1, Short Range Weapons 1, Spells: Elemental Evocation, Credits: 0 Equipment: Utility Belt (tool) Grants +1 Engineering or Medicine Check Success, Whirlwind Boomerang (Standard, Elemental, Short Range Weapon),Inventory: Mecha Strike (Standard, Kinetic, Melee Range Weapon), Plasma Potion (x2), Field Rations (Consumable, Restores 1 Vitality) Aysu Kundakçı (Peppermint_M) 22 Rotations Old, Female? Adopted Human. Character Points: 1/14Vitality: 6/6Velocity: 2Strength: 2Skill: 3Smarts: 1Spirit: 1Proficiencies: Long Range Weapons 3, Nature 1, Survival 1Spell: Enhanced VisionCredits: 75Equipment: Environment Safe Ammunition "ESA" Rifle (Calibrated Long Range, Energy), Farsight GogglesInventory: Plasma Potion 2x, Essence of Glibness, Pack of Crystalline Feathers (6) Ronin (Yzalirk)[REDACTED] Male [REDACTED]Character Points: 1/11Vitality: 1/5Velocity: 2Strength: 1Skill: 3Smarts: 3Spirit: 0/0Proficiencies: Athletics 1, Deception 1, Melee Weapons 2, Stealth 1Known Spells: NoneCredits: 10Equipment: Cloaking Generator, Hard Light Katana (Calibrated Energy Melee Weapon)Inventory: Decker DaCabe (Endgame) 24 year old male Human Character Points: 1/11 Vitality: 6/6 Velocity: 2 Strength: 3 Skill: 1 Smarts: 1 Proficiencies: Melee Weapons 1, Short Range Weapons 2 Credits: 10 Equipment: Unloaded Pistol (Calibrated Kinetic Melee Weapon), Sandblasted Cuirass (Standard Kinetic Armor) Inventory: Enemy Glacier Monger Shaman Vitality: 5/5 Velocity: 2 Strength: 1 Skill: 2 Smarts: 1 Spirit: 1/3 Spells: Mystic Binding, Restful Sleep, Elemental Evocation Proficiencies: Insight 1, Nature 3, Survival 1 Equipment: Casting Cudgel (Standard Kinetic Melee Weapon) Innate: Piercing Claws (Standard Kinetic Melee Weapon) Inventory: Glacier Monger Hurler A Vitality: 5/5 Velocity: 2 Strength: 1 Skill: 2 Smarts: 1 Proficiencies: Short Range Weapons 3, Perception 1, Survival 1 Equipment: Twisted Throwing Javelin (Standard Kinetic Short Range Weapon) Innate: Piercing Claws (Standard Kinetic Melee Weapon) Inventory:

MM Note: Waiting for one last reply from @Classic_Spaceman and then we'll be wrapping it up.