CYBER-PULP FANTASY CORE-Sample Adventure-Estate Part 3

CYBER-PULP FANTASY CORE

© Jerry Harris 2013

Published here as Open Game Content.

(This link will take you to the Fantasy Core Index.)

Overview Index 

Adventure Index

Party Entry

We may be breaking the first rule for RPG players here: Never split the party!  Well, this time, it may be inevitable.  Sam is only going to be able to bluff herself and a guest in.  Getting any anybody else in with them at the front door, is going to require a very clever plan.  I’d recommend that the rest of the Crew stay outside and either make their own way in, or have the inside man do something to help them get in.  It’ll be tense in any case.  The players will need a plan.

An android butler greets guests at the door and checks their invitations with a list.  Upon seeing Lila’s invitation, it will process for a minute and then allow the holder (Sam) in, along with one character.  Sam splits with the character as soon as they get inside so she can mingle.  It’s not unthinkable that a guest or two might accost the character for some reason (hitting on them, passing along a stock tip, etc). 

The Party

3 rds after entry, Milo will come out with Randall and another guard and confront Sam, asking how she ended up with Lila’s invitation.  She’ll cover for the guys and eventually leave peacefully, but not before raising her voice and making a scene.  This is to let the character know their cover’s been blown.  After she’s been escorted out, Randall and guard will then actively be looking for the character, and so will the security cameras around the house (1 in 4 chance per rd, unless using some sort of stealth device).   

Alternately, Milo could make a grand appearance in front of everybody, showing off his new artifact, (wait for it) a Drow Soul Crystal.  Randall and a guard are there with him.  Milo lets people gasp at it for a turn before handing it off to the guard, who takes it to the Security Center.  Then Milo confronts Sam and then sends Randall after the character.  (Oh, the looks on the players’ faces after this series of twists.)

There are about 40 party guests and servants in the living room, kitchen, den, and patio.  They are complete non-combatants.  Not only that, they will panic if there’s any nearby gunfire.  The Android servants will attempt to calm the guests and keep them in the living room.  One of the Androids is combat model, disguised as a servant that will protect the guests.  Likewise, the human security will surround on the party, if they think the guests are the target.  They will wait for the police to come to escort them out of the home.

The stairs going to the second floor are covered by a shoe-level light beam sensor (DC 12 to detect).  Breaking the light alerts the Security Center.  They’ll assume it’s a nosy guest and will send a guard to escort them back to the party.

Security Center

This room has a large one way mirror looking out over the corridor, but once again, it’s bulletproof glass.  The door is metal and has a DC 18 keycard lock.  (All of the guards, including Combat Androids, have a keycard).  Any failed attempt at opening the door alerts those within. 

Inside are a bank of security monitors, Randall’s desk, and the estate’s computer.  Usually two of the guards are inside and Randall may be with them.  The other two guards are roaming the estate and grounds.  The outside guards are directed by those in the Security Center, using the surveillance cameras.  If there’s a big enough threat, Randall will join them in engaging it.

For a change of pace, the Soul Crystal is actually just sitting on Randall’s desk.  If Milo isn’t actually the killer, then Randall somehow just acquired it from the real killer.  There’s a paper folder also on his desk labeled, Lila Investigation, which does name the killer.   

The El Paso Chi… Chi… (gurgle) Report

Cry havoc and let slip the little dogs of baseball!  Fear the mighty Chi… Chi… Oh, get over it and spit out.  The era of the El Paso Chihuahua’s Triple A baseball team is a go.  As we await the inevitable name change that will happen as soon as attendance starts to dip in the coming years.  (And get ready to listen to all media people who defended and spun out excuses for the team, to suddenly completely change their minds about the name.)  Do you think I might be a little cynical given the way the Diablos left and how this team was brought here? 

600 AM KROD is running a promotion for the team’s first “home” game.  That’s in quotes because the game won’t be in El Paso since the stadium isn’t ready.  Lucky winning fans will be able to meet the team before the game.  I can see that now.

Fan: “How’s it feel to be a Chihuahua?”

Player: “It sucks, man.  When I was kid I dreamed about being a professional baseball player.  I worked hard in Little League and in school.  I got a scholarship.  Worked harder.  Made it into the minor leagues.  Worked even harder and now I’m a freaking Chihuahua.  I’m wearing a snarling little dog on my uniform.  I don’t even want to make it to the Show now, the other big leaguers will make fun of me.  I wanna stick my head in an oven.”

Maybe there’s a Cuban defector on the team.

Player (in Spanish): “I suffered through many hardships to come to America.  I dreamed of freedom and being able to make a living playing the game I loved.  Now, I’m a Chihuahua.  I want to go home.”

Have I finally gotten it out of my system yet? 

One more comment.  People who own Chihuahuas didn’t really want a dog, they just wanted a cat with a little more brains and loyalty. 

Okay, now I’m done.

Regardless of my misgivings about the name and the way the team was brought to town, of course I’ve listened to whatever games I could.  It’s baseball!  While my over-the-air reception of KROD in Las Cruces after dark is nearly nil, fortunately, I was able to listen over the Internet while at work.  The voice of the Chihuahuas features the pleasant, friendly tones of Tim Hagerty.  Certainly Tim has the main characteristic that it will take to be successful in this position: he can say “Chihuahuas” without any hesitation or embarrassment.  No, really, that is a big deal.  It allows me, as a baseball fan, to at least enjoy the game, and save my cringing for whenever the team is mentioned outside of the games.     

Tim is nice enough that I find myself immediately gravitating to a first name basis.  He’s done a good job of not just calling the action, but also setting the scene and telling some stories surrounding the game.  My favorite moment so far has been his description of the cold in Reno.  Tim asked for forgiveness from the fans for wearing a sock hat from the other team so he could keep warm.  Runner up would be the related story of opposing manager having to buy tickets for everyone who showed up to the game because he had guaranteed it would be warmer. 

I keep mentally saying, “Diablos,” whenever I’m thinking about the team in a positive context, and saying “Chihuahuas” whenever it’s negative.  Comparisons are inevitable.  While Tim is doing a good job, I do miss the two-man booth from the old Diablo days.  I used to love the banter between Matt Hicks, now working for the Rangers, and his co-broadcasters.  I still laugh whenever I think of the time he and Brett Pollack, after a couple of irritating days in Shreveport, Louisiana, cut loose for a couple innings.  They criticized the franchise there, then went around the league, going at the rest of the teams, finally laying the bundle at the Texas League’s offices.  I seriously wondered if they’d be on again the next day.    

I was also surprised by the pre-game show.  Namely, it was about two minutes long and finished with, “And here’s the first pitch.”  The Diablos had like a full sponsored half-hour general sports talk/call-in show and a 15-minute pre-game, all before the first pitch.  They were on a different El Paso station and that was awhile ago.  The dogs may have a different relationship with KROD.  But still, the Diablos were a Double A club.  I was expecting a bit more with a Triple A club. 

KROD has a lot more broadcasting obligations than the other station.  I’m surprised they’re even agreeing to broadcast weekday afternoon baseball.  I’m wondering what happens the first time there’s a conflict with an ESPN NBA playoff game or a Cowboys pre-season game.  (I haven’t seen their schedule.  It may not be an issue.)  I already know that they’ve canceled ESPN baseball games, even when there isn’t a conflict.  (Given how they were putting their commercials on auto-pilot and constantly interrupting the games with them, maybe that’s not much of a loss.)

On to the games themselves.  I was sorry I didn’t have a scorecard and have the time to fill it out while listening to that first game.  I always like to do a scorecard at the beginning of the season to fool myself into thinking that I actually know how to fill out one.  The dogs’ opponents were the Reno Aces, they affiliated with the Diamondbacks.  Spring is only a rumor in Reno right now.  Weather may have been affecting the crowds there.  The second game of the series, where the dogs’ batting practice was cut short by snowfall, was played quickly enough to remind one of a late season August game on a getaway day. 

Unlike Diablos games, where I would only recognize the names of players after they had gone on to bigger and better things, I actually knew a few of the players on the teams, Didi Gregorius, Jeff Francoeur, and Cody Ross, a sparkplug that helped ignite the San Francisco Giants to a World Series title.  Unfortunately, much like the old Diablo games, I didn’t get to listen to the end of them.  Back then, it was because the station would power down after sundown.  Last week, it was because I left work when I was done and didn’t get to hear the end.  Oh, well.  Some things never change. 

On Sunday, I had the reverse problem.  I missed the beginning of the coverage to listen to the Ranger game.  Yu Darvish looked good coming back from injury as the Rangers beat the Rays, 3-0.  I joined the Chihuahuas in progress.  Unfortunately, the dogs never showed up and got clobbered 9-1.  From listening to the NMSU Aggie baseball team getting blown out regularly this season, I’m starting to get used to it, but I think the dogs will bounce back, as they split the series with the Aces (who at least come away with a better team name).  I don’t know if there was a pre-game (there was a live remote at a sports event in El Paso before the game), but there was something of a post-game where a recap and other baseball scores were given.  No interviews or anything else however. 

My main question about the broadcasts are this: Dick Enberg, who broadcasts Padre games and who are the dogs’ parent club (pardon the pun), does a little bumper promo during the game that finishes with, “Oh, my!”  Is he doing a George Takei impression?  And if not, does he know that he’s doing a George Takei impression? 

Any future posts about the team will hopefully not involve talking about their name and will focus more on the game, the call, and the players as we all get to know each other.

CYBER-PULP FANTASY CORE-Sample Adventure-Estate Part 2

CYBER-PULP FANTASY CORE

© Jerry Harris 2013

Published here as Open Game Content.

(This link will take you to the Fantasy Core Index.)

Overview Index 

Adventure Index

The Grounds

There is a ground sensor field surrounding the estate (DC 12 to hack), along with a menacing, lumbering Security Bot.  If the sensors are set off, the security center will focus their cameras on the area and deploy the Bot to engage.  On autonomous operation, the Bot stays away from any areas where a guest might see it.  It makes the rounds of the compound every five minutes.

If it finds anything or is attacked, the Bot will transmit to the Security Chief Randall, who will put the estate into a quiet lockdown, restricting guests inside.  The police will be notified and be on their way in two turns (they’d come sooner, but the estate isn’t quick to get to).  If the Bot fails to take care of the situation, Randall and 2 guards will investigate.  Play them very smart.  Keep in mind they’ve got full access to all sorts of security detection monitors and will coordinate with the police outside.  Any character caught will be secured with handcuffs (DC 18 Escape Artist) and held in the Security Center for the police.

The main thing that will be hampering the security is their overriding concern for the safety of the guests.  Next, is that they are trying to make sure that the guests are not disturbed (like by a firefight).  Finally, they are trying to avoid property damage.

A raid without the party is going to be difficult.  The security force will have no qualms about making noise and violently taking them out.  The only bonus perhaps being that the cops won’t be called in until after the encounter.

The Estate
All of the windows are sealed and bulletproof and can only be broken open with explosives.  The doors have alarms on them that ring in the security center if broken into.  It is a DC 18 hack to get into the house security system.  A Combat Android will investigate any failed hack attempt.  Randall and a guard will investigate any break in.  

CYBER-PULP FANTASY CORE-Sample Adventure-Estate

CYBER-PULP FANTASY CORE

© Jerry Harris 2013

Published here as Open Game Content.

(This link will take you to the Fantasy Core Index.)

Overview Index 

Adventure Index

Milo Sanders’ Estate

Hooks to Site

The party encounter is only accessible from finding the invitation at Lila’s apartment.  Otherwise, the characters can be referred to this site from another encounter, but the party will be over.  This is probably also the most complex raid in the adventure for the players.

Location Description

This is a rich estate home a couple of miles outside of town, up in the hills.  The two level building sits up on a small hill, surrounded by a screen of trees.  Don’t let the window walls fool you, they’re HD ceramic and bulletproof.  As pleasant as it looks, the estate is a veritable small fortress in terms of defense.  There is a loop driveway leading up to the front door. 

Most of the details of the house don’t really matter.  If the characters go outside of the defined areas, there’s not going to be anything of interest there (as far as the adventure) and really speed of the essence.  The longer they’re inside, the better the chance of getting caught.  Randall, the security chief, is a smart guy and his subordinates aren’t dummies either.

Reconnaissance

The only information the group can get beforehand about Sanders is that he’s the CEO of a tech company called U-Tech.  Here the group can be introduced to Samantha of the B-Board.  She’s their source for inside information.  Sam can tell them that Sanders and Lila were an item, though it wasn’t well known.  She’ll ask about how they knew to ask about it.  Hopefully, they’ll mention the invitation.  Sam is interested in going to that party.  She’ll agree to help get one of them inside with that invite.  (“Clean up a bit.”  This will cost an XP, unless the character already has a suit or is famous.)  If they’re not going to the party, then this info really isn’t really necessary.

Virtual Lila will be keeping some track of the characters.  If she knows they’re going to Sanders’ estate, she’ll send a message saying she’ll help.  Because of her relationship with Milo, Lila has a few back doors into the computer there.  She’ll supply a basic layout of the estate (this is important since the Whole Earth Images view of the compound is security blocked) and its defenses and pinpoint the most probable locations of the Soul Crystal (the Study and the Security Center).  Lila also says she has a little control of the computers there.  Unless the characters really get stuck, I recommend limiting this help to just shutting down the estate’s power to help them escape.

The players should get a good, general look at the place and be given some time to plan.  Let them infer that they’re not going to able to just walk in and walk out of this place, or go in guns blazing.  They may come up with some “hair-brained” scheme to gain entry.  This should be encouraged.  Assign a DC for it and perhaps an XP cost, if it requires some expensive props.  Don’t be difficult here.  Whatever the plan, at some point, the group almost certainly will set off security in order to get the job done.

CYBER-PULP FANTASY CORE-Sample Adventure-Arcade Part 5

CYBER-PULP FANTASY CORE

© Jerry Harris 2013

Published here as Open Game Content.

(This link will take you to the Fantasy Core Index.)

Overview Index 

Adventure Index

XP Awards

2 XP for rescuing Mazzy

2 XP for defeating the Combat Android

2 XP for defeating Lila’s Haunting Spirit form

3 XP for recovering the Drow Soul Crystal

2 XP for recovering the Drow Soul Crystal if the AI isn’t the killer

1 XP for having your way with Smack without a gun battle

Thugs

HD 3 (d8), Hp 12, AC 10 (none)

Fort +2 Ref +0 Will +0

Melee: Shock Wand +4 to hit, DC 12 Fort Sv or KO 1 turn, 10 charges

(Smack) HTH +4 to hit, 1d2+1 

Ranged: Stun Gun +3 to hit, DC 12 Fort Sv or KO 1 turn, C, 10 shot clip,

(Smack) .38 Revolver +3 to hit, 2d4, 6 shot, S

(Smack) Sawed Off Shotgun +3 to hit, 2d10, spray up to two adjacent (DC 12 Ref Sv 1/2 damage) 2 shells, C (kept in a gym bag)

Combat Android

(This model has an advanced combat profile.  It can make two melee attacks or 2 single shot ranged attacks per rd.  Generally, it will try to wound as many as possible with single shots or a spray, then finish them off with a burst.  It has a humanoid form, but is clearly a robot.)

HD 5 (d8), Hp 40, AC 17 (+4 Flack Jacket, +3 Dex) Enhanced Init. +3

Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +1

Melee: 2 x Fist +6 to hit, 1d6+1

Ranged: Two Assault Pistols, 2d6, 30 shot clip, S

2 X +8 to hit 2d6 single shot

1 X +8 to hit 2d6 x 1d2 burst (DC 12 Ref Sv ½ damage), 3 bullets

1 X +3 to hit 2d6 x 1d2 spray, up to 3 adjacent targets (DC 12 Ref Sv ½ damage), 6 bullets

Immune to illusions, psychic attacks, and gas.

Cybernetic Eyes

Cybernetic Ears

Data Jack +1

Memory Implant

(DC 18 to hack the Android and shut it down.)

Mazzy

HD 5 (d6), Hp 20, AC 14 (None, +2 racial, +2 Dex Bonus)

Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +1

Melee: Currently unarmed, +5 to hit

Ranged: Currently unarmed, +7 to hit

Hacking/Hardware +7

Spellcheck +7

Heal: DC 12, All hp damage, may cast 3 x day

Lila’s Haunting Spirit Form

HD 5 (d12), Hp 60, AC 16* (None, Magic to hit)       

Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +10

Melee: Touch +5 to hit, DC 18 Will Sv or 1d8 negative hp damage

(Death by this manner in a haunted place may cause another Spirit to be created.)

Possession: The Spirit may attempt to move into a person and take them over.  DC 18 Will Sv or controlled for 1d4 rds.  They may try this once per person, per encounter.  Smite, Divine Light, Consecrate, Exorcism, magic weapons, and magic spell attacks on the host will affect the Spirit instead (use Spirit stats), but any other type of attack damages the host (use host stats).  The host can be willing (such as the Spirit just wants to talk), in which case, there is no attack or Will Sv and it lasts for 1 turn. 

Ranged: Fright (upon initial appearance in any encounter) DC 18 Will Sv or panicked flight for 1d4 rds

Flinging Objects 2 att/rd at +5 to hit 1d6 (small objects) + DC 12 Will Sv or panic 1d4 rds.

Or 1 attack +5 to hit 1d10 (large objects) + DC 18 Will Sv or panic 1d4 rds.

Invisible and Intangible at will, but may not attack, only observe, though they may still Fling Objects.

CYBER-PULP FANTASY CORE-Sample Adventure-Arcade Part 4

CYBER-PULP FANTASY CORE

© Jerry Harris 2013

Published here as Open Game Content.

(This link will take you to the Fantasy Core Index.)

Overview Index 

Adventure Index

Outcome
If the AI is severely damaged or put in a helpless state, it will immediately negotiate.  It will offer up the Soul Crystal (it pops out of a wall) and point the characters to the exit hatch (as the police are probably above by now).  The exit hatch goes into the sewers, and the first exit goes up to the parking garage across the street. 

Once they contact Lila with the Soul Crystal, the group will find that they’ve been paid the remainder of the job money (XP).  They also receive a message, “Thank you.  End of Line.  --Lila.”  And she’s gone.

The next day, the arcade is hit by a Black Ice attack and is shutdown.  If Smack was alive at the end of the encounter, he’s dead now.  The AI running the arcade has been destroyed.  Supreme will have noticed this, but it’ll be awhile before it tries to track down the culprits.  Mazzy and the Web Gypsies will owe the group a favor if she’s rescued.  The gypsies won’t be as grateful if Mazzy is killed, but are at least informed of her fate.  (If this encounter isn’t the end of the adventure and the group is going to be raiding Milo Sanders estate to finish it, Mazzy might be a good addition for that encounter to pay off the favor.)

Twist

If the AI has the Drow Soul Crystal and captured Virtual Lila, It processes her through the Crystal, and Lila becomes a haunting spirit, which promptly goes berserk on the characters.  Use her instead of the Android or the other defenses.  In this case, Lila is something of a supernatural program, as opposed to a straight up ghost.  Hacking the spirit subsystem of the AI, physically damaging the computer, or grabbing the Soul Crystal, which is visible at the far end of the room (remember, it’s invulnerable to physical damage, but will shatter with any magical damage) will stop the spirit attack.    

  

Virtual Lila will unfortunately no longer exist if the spirit is defeated or the computer is massively damaged, so the group won’t be getting paid by her.  The AI won’t be bargaining with them either.  Supreme, Itself may make cameo here and address the characters.  “I don’t know who you people are.  You don’t know how rare that is.  You must be Zeroes.  You’re not even worth my processing cycles to track down.  Crawl back under your rock, Zeroes, and pray we never cross paths again.”

Alternately

If Mazzy is part of this encounter and the AI has the Soul Crystal, then it acquired Crystal from the killer somehow.  If the AI’s defenses are beaten, it will immediately surrender and start talking to try and save itself.  It’ll ask the group what they want.  It will give them the Crystal, which the characters will presumably ask for.  It’ll ask why they want it.  At the mention of Lila’s murder, the AI will immediately proclaim Its innocence, saying it acquired it from one of the other suspects.  (This is true.  It wouldn’t have tried to hold Mazzy for ransom, if it had already the Crystal.  It was going to return her, as soon as it had determined the Crystal was authentic.)   

If the Soul Crystal isn’t at the arcade and/or Mazzy isn’t captured and held there, the AI will barter for its “life,” if it thinks it’s about to be permanently shutdown.  (I’d drop the Combat Android and only make a half-hearted attack with the other defenses.)  It’ll call off any police that are on the way and offer any information it has about the Soul Crystal, pointing the group at another suspect.  If appropriate, the AI will even give them a code or a one-use program that they’ll find useful for hacking at the next encounter. 

MLB Spring Training Report

I hope to someday actually go and hang out for Spring Training for a week and watch a bunch teams play.  Dare to dream.  In the meantime, I caught a little bit on TV.  I’d like to go ahead and take this opportunity to congratulate the MLB on their TV package for this season.  Thanks to Fox, there will be no more over-the-air national, afternoon regular season broadcasts, just a smattering of Saturday night games.  I’ll go ahead and make a prediction about those games: Yankees vs. Red Sox, Red Sox vs. Yankees, and Dodgers vs. Whoever.  Way to go MLB!  Continue to complain about sagging post-season ratings as your broadcast partners marginalize your International product into a regional one.  At this rate, I’ll be blogging Mexican League soccer matches during the summer.

Ahem.

My highlight of this spring has got to be Russell Wilson attending the Rangers’ camp.  That was well worth the use of one of their Rule 5 picks just to get him there.  That had to be a great promotion for the team and an inspiration for the players to have the quarterback of the current Superbowl champion, Seattle Seahawks, there.  I got to see Peter Gammons’ great interview with him, and Wilson, whom I really didn’t know anything about, came off really well.  I had no idea the guy played against Buster Posey and other future big leaguers while he was in college.  Wilson really seemed to be enjoying himself out there training and taking infield. 

Late last season Cubs’ broadcasts were heavily promoting their new Arizona spring training facility opening this year.  I caught a little of a game there and did a double take.  I’m not going to say it looks just like Wrigley Field, but it’s a good approximation.  The brick wall behind home plate is a dead ringer.  While there aren’t bleachers in the outfield, the grassy hill and full crowd, easily had the same look to it.  There were proper bullpens out there too.  I’d almost think of this as a test remodel of Wrigley.  Given the amount of trouble they’re having just changing the scoreboard (and I too am against it), I wouldn’t bet on it happening.

I saw the Dodgers early in training.  There was their number two starter, Zack Greinke, out there on the mound for his first game.  “Ow, oww,” he said, clutching his leg.  “I think I pulled something.  I’m sure I’ll be out for a while and won’t get to take that 20 hour flight to Australia, but it’ll be fine right before the season starts.”  

Meanwhile the team hands Clayton Kershaw one of the biggest contracts ever, completely forgetting his last appearance, where he got shelled in the playoffs.  Yeah, he was started on short rest, I know.  That’s a management problem, and the team fixed it by giving Mattingly an extension.  Oh, and Kershaw’s currently injured, and will miss his next scheduled start.  Oh, and then there’s Yasiel Puig, 26 pounds heavier, minor trouble with the law in the offseason, and still a bonehead on the field.  Frighteningly, all of these star players could suck this season, and there’s still enough talent on the team to carry them into the playoffs (not to mention any in-season trades).

I was pleased to see the Giants in beautiful AT&T Park last week having an exhibition series against the A’s.  There was a great crowd and the warm, pleasant voice of Jon Miller was calling game.  It was perfect.  Some unfamiliar player was there at Third Base.  OMG!  That’s Pablo Sandoval!  He’s about 100 lbs lighter.  Did he have chemotherapy over the winter?  Thankfully, I wasn’t watching Friday night when Tim Lincecum took one off his knee, likely officially ending whatever slim chances the Giant’s had this year.

I was watching the Dodgers playing the Angels that night, however, in Dodger Stadium.  I might be favoring the Dodgers in this contest, only because I hate the Angels more.  The big in-game news was Mike Trout getting a big contract extension.  Look for a dramatic drop in performance.  The big out of game baseball news was that the MLB and the Players’ Union just stiffened the penalties and increased testing for PED’s.  Also, anybody suspended would not be eligible for the post-season or any post-season earnings for that year.  That might actually be a deterrent. 

At one point in the coverage, the camera started shaking and had trouble focusing on the field.  Vin Sculley, God bless him, would then calmly tell the viewers that they had just experienced an earthquake there in Los Angles.  “It’s a fairly common occurrence here.  Everything seems okay.  The count’s two and two.”  He then went on to relate a story about the Earthquake Series.  This was not an insignificant earthquake.  It just happened to not knock over any buildings.  And Vin, noted the event and kept calling the game.  From now on whenever there’s a crisis, I want Vin there doing the commentary.