Mercenary RPG Sign Up (Pseudo-Firefly)

Alright, this is everything put together. Some of the stuff in posts below can be ignored, it’s just repeating what’s here. (Some things might be out of context as well.)
If there’s any kinds of questions, please ask.

History (Backdrop Setting):

Spoiler:

Setting:

Spoiler:

Your Team and Mission:

Spoiler:

This is going to use a modified version of the Unknown Armies system.
You don’t need to fully understand the system to play.
I’m gonna try to make it seem like the system’s not there.
If you need help or explanation, I can give it.

Modifications:

Spoiler:

Building Your Character:

Spoiler:

Free/Team Items:

Spoiler:

Personal Items:

Spoiler:

Character Sheet:

Spoiler:

Note that there will probably be a lot of back and forth about items (asking for prices, giving prices, repeating). You might want to leave that part out in the beginning.
There could be back and forth about other details as well.
For the record, I have no issue with "not so moral" characters. Because you're a team though, you should be able to "get along" to some degree, so either extreme (super moral or super immoral) is probably not the best idea.

So... now what? I'm not sure if we're supposed to put anything else here, aside from interest. Obviously, I'm interested. But I do have a few questions:

Is anyone else besides myself, Andras, and Sunfish joining? I'm not really on Minegarde, so I don't know the story over there.

And I'm not exactly sure what the level of technology is. You said that it was behind modern day by a few decades, which could be the 40s or the 80s. Some fairly significant advances occurred in the period after WWII, but honestly most weapon designs have stayed fairly consistent from the late 70s up to the present day (with some minor alterations in existing weapon designs). I'm also assuming it's possible for advanced technology from other worlds to filter onto the planet, so Star Wars tech (the irony of calling something from Star Wars futuristic) might be present.

At the moment there's not really anything for you to do.
You may want to read up on the system if you haven't already (see new update).
And of coarse ask questions.

I'm not really expecting anyone else to join. The sign up has been up long enough for any prospective people to speak up.
I'm not entirely sure about Andras. If it ends up just being Glyph and Sunfish (and myself), so be it.

Regarding technology, this is going to be a vague and bad answer, but;
Part of it depends on the category, like firearms vs electronics. It might end up being case by case.
Partly there is just a range of what's available, and what you get depends on what you spend.
Partly I'm still making my mind up. Also, I'm not history savvy.

I wouldn't expect anything Star Wars level. Modern day is probably the most you'll get.
This isn't set in stone though. Ask for something and we'll see.
There will probably be some inconsistency.

Regarding firearms, it'll probably be like revolvers, break action shotguns and lever action rifles and the like. Western stuff. Stuff around WWII (automatic rifle, bolt action) might slip in if you pay more money (automatic might be pushing it, or at least very expensive).
Bullet proof vests would also be fine, even though I believe they are mostly post WWII.

Basically how it'll work is, you'll have a budget.
You tell me what you want, and I'll throw prices at you. I might end up declining something.
My prices will probably be based on Google searches, plus tweaking for balance, a little bit of ass pulling, and then rounding off.

Things will probably not be 100% balanced or fair, to be frank. But, if I sense you're really not getting your money's worth, I'll likely throw a situation at you to make use of it, or something like that.

If you want to start throwing items at me for plausibility, that'd be fine.

The next chunk. Forgive how messy I'm being right now.
Items will be next, then general stuff (backstory, physical description), then a summary list.

If you want to get started on your characters, that's fine, just expect to have multiple revisions. Please post all information in here. The reason being, you're all on a team, so you should know each other's strengths and weaknesses.
If you see someone dead set on a roll (driver, handy man) try not to copy it. At the same time, it wouldn't hurt to have say an expert negotiator and then someone pretty good at it.
My character will likely be an attempt to try and fill in the gaps.
Bear in mind character morals might vary.

To give you a brief idea about items:
Expect to have a team vehicle of some kind (either a car or a pick up truck). Expect a home computer, and some basic home items.
Expect a relatively small budget for items, somewhere between 1 and 2 thousand dollars with close to real world prices.

As always, feel free to ask questions, as I'm sure there's a bunch.



This is going to use a modified version of the Unknown Armies system.
You don’t need to fully understand the system to play.
I’m gonna try to make it seem like the system’s not there.
If you need help or explanation, I can give it.

Modifications:

Spoiler:

Building Your Character:

Spoiler:

Everything is together now in the first post. We can get started with the signing up.
By the way, Andras said he probably won't be able to join us. Star might be reappearing, but I don't know if she'd join.

This looks interesting. I may or may not join... Depends on if I can get a character built soon enough.

I'm easily confused by details. Lol.

It'd certainly be good to have you. :-)
Getting a character together shouldn't be too much trouble, and there's no real set deadline. I can help as needed.

If you haven't read the rules, here's a link.
As said, you probably don't need to fully understand the system to play.

It'll probably take me a bit to get my character together. I've actually gotten busier lately, go figure.

This is a little bit of a bump post, but I know people are busy.
Is there anything I can help with?

Also, Star Lady probably will not be joining us.

Well I'm completely fucking retarded apparently. I somehow mistook your last post to mean "WAIT, do NOT do a character yet." Not sure what I was on that day. I'll get started on a character.

Why I haven't posted a character yet (which I'm still working on, by the way). Sorry...

This game: http://slendergame.com/

My reaction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz5uBkMcAtY

EDIT: The video on the game's homepage isn't even a fraction of how scary the game is.

Acknowledged, I imagine we'll be waiting awhile before we get started anyway.

I think it's funny that after how many years (probably only one), we still talk about slenderman.
I admit I'm not brave or masochist enough to play that game, or horror things in general.
Was that actually you in the video?

While we're talking about distractions, I've been watching the show "Breaking Bad." It's totally awesome, if a 9.4 on imdb is any evidence.
Here's a link to all of the episodes. Google works just as well, with a little effort. I recommend at least watching the first episode.

My dad watches Breaking Bad all the time. I was stupid and have probably watched more videos with spoilers than I should have; I know how and when at least a couple people die.

I'm not brave (as you can see from the video) but probably masochistic. I just love scaring the hell out of myself. Honestly the game isn't necessarily the worst part, sometimes it's how you feel after. I had to walk upstairs in the dark to find some food, with only the light from my phone to see by. The dim light, combined with the darkness, and I could practically feel Slenderman coming to get me.

P.S. Yeah, I think it was about a year ago that we did that one roleplay on the chat with Slenderman. That was me, you, and... Katamar? I'm pretty sure bizarrecoyote was there too.

The feeling after is the worst. I can relate after having watched Paranormal Activity 3 (I've since recovered).

The Slenderman chat rpg was you, me, katamar and... Hidden Star, not Coyote.

I've never found the Paranormal Activity movies to be particularly frightening. Personally, things like Slenderman, mothman, and things of that nature have always been one of my biggest fears/obsessions, possibly because of their watching/stalking nature.

And I still like to think that we almost killed the son of a bitch!

This might've already been assumed, but to make it mostly official, I think I'm gonna call this off.
I just don't want anyone to waste their time making up a character just to not have this run.

Wait, really? I'm sorry for not having posted a character yet, it's not that I haven't had time to do it, it's just that I fucking suck... I tend to put things off for as long as possible unless relentlessly pestered, and that's a dick move, and I'm sorry. If you're calling this off because nobody's posted yet, I understand. I can get a character sheet up by tomorrow, after I get back from the airport, if that means anything. Like I said, I'm sorry. If there's some other reason, then that sucks, but I understand. Unless I hear otherwise, I'll just plan on writing up a character sheet for tomorrow.

Well I'm an unreliable whore. It's technically Sunday now, and I still don't have Jackschit to show. In my defense, the flight was delayed by three hours, so there was nothing I could do on Friday. And today I had homework. Excuses, I know. But I'll have nearly all day tomorrow to get it in. And that's what she said.

My only excuse is that I have no idea what the CS would look like...

I'm better at CS making when I've seen someone elses.

It helps me for some reason.

@Fluffy: I assume you mean character sheet.
Does this help, or were you already aware (and are basically waiting for someone to make a character)?

Character Sheet:

Spoiler:

Note that there will probably be a lot of back and forth about items (asking for prices, giving prices, repeating). You might want to leave that part out in the beginning.

I almost forgot I had that and remade the whole thing.
Remember that you can have other skills if you wish.

In all honesty, I think the skills section has been giving me some trouble. I don't mean to be a pain, but could you maybe put up an example character? Like Fluffy, it's much easier for me to do one after I've seen someone's.

It's like Legos...

It's much better to build something when you either have easy-to-read instructions... Or something to go off of.

Alright, this is a somewhat bare bones example character. You guys would probably be more detailed on certain parts.
I will not be using this character (I'd like to play a support type character, who follows your guys' lead). If anyone wants to base their character on this idea, that's fine. Remember that my character will try to fill in the holes of the team.

With the skills, I went ahead and listed where the points were coming from. Remember that each skill starts at 15 (besides initiative, which starts at half speed).
You don't have to do this, but if it helps you, go ahead.

Mock Character

Spoiler:

I'm just throwing this out there, but if it is easier for you guys, we could use the "Window" system instead.
The system itself is probably easier, closer to freeform, but you guys would have to read all the rules.
I'm not sure which is more worthwhile at this point. I'm indifferent. For now I'll assume we'll just stick with this system (Unknown Armies).

Name: Rae Revard
Gender: Female
Age: 17
Height: 5' 9"
General Build: Lithe with muscles. Athletic.
Appearance: Medium length brown hair (curly near the edges), thick eyelashes, grey eyes. Typically wears jeans, long sleeve shirts, combat boots, anything with minimal skin exposure.

Backstory (Childhood, Growing Up, Adulthood): Born into a relatively stable household, Rae grew up with an interest in mechanics and rockets. Wanted to be an astronaut as a girl. She had a fairly "normal" childhood, and spent her time with friends or going to school. Thanks to her family's moderate income, she received a computer at the age of 14, and soon spent much of her time online. During this time, her morality and world view changed significantly as she became more experienced thanks to her interactions on the internet and in school. Her parents also separated due to infidelity, and this would cause Rae to become much more independent. This, coupled with financial troubles and severe tension in her life would put Rae into a depressive state for more than a year, during which time she experienced periods of schizophrenic hallucinations. This is the source of her fear of abandonment, and she typically hates being alone. With her family life in shambles, Rae focused on her academics. Being a social introvert, she also spent more time than ever online, and became close friends with several people this way. After both her father and mother were unable to afford their housing, she gathered up as much money as she could find and left home. With no job experience, Rae spent several months on the street, and soon bought a TT-33 for protection. Fate was kind to her, however and she signed up for and won 1st place in a shooting contest, despite a lack of any training (or even perfect eyesight, for that matter). With the prize money, she bought some equipment and became a mercenary.

Rage Passion: Ignorance and closed-mindedness.
Fear Passion: Abandonment.
Noble Passion: Making others happy, or at least not miserable.

Body Stat: 45
Speed Stat: 70
Mind Stat: 70
Soul Stat: 55

(Body Skills)
Fighting: 30
General Athletics: 55 (+10)

(Speed Skills)
Dodge: 35 (+10)
Initiative: 40 (+10)
Driving: 15
Firearms: 60
Sneak: 15

(Mind Skills)
General Education/Street Knowledge: 40 (+10)
Notice: 50
First Aid: 35 (+10)
Handyman: 35 (+10)

(Soul Skills)
Lying: 35
Negotiations: 50

Items:
5.56 mm AR-180 (Sterling-Armalite)
- Barrel Length: 464 mm
- Muzzle Veloc: 1000m/s
- Effective Range: 460m
- Approximate Cost: 700 USD
Bushnell 3-24x40 Rifle Scope
- Mil Dot Reticle
- Glare Resistant
- Approximate Cost: 100 USD
Armalite 5.56 mm 10 round Magazine (3)
- Easy loading/unloading
- Holds 10 rounds
- Approximate Cost: 100 USD for 3 magazines
5.56x45 FMJ (500 rounds)
- 55 grain full metal jacket
- Boxer primed brass casings
- Approximate Cost: 200 USD for 500 rounds
7.62 mm TT-33 Tokarev
- Barrel Length: 116 mm
- Muzzle Veloc: 420m/s
- Effective Range: 55m
- Approximate Cost: 250 USD
7.62x25 Tokarev FMJ (100 rounds)
- 85 grain full metal jacket
- Boxer primed brass casings
- Approximate Cost: 50 USD
Tula 7.62 mm 8 round magazine (3)
- Easy loading/unloading
- Holds 8 rounds
- Approximate Cost: 100 USD for 3 magazines
Smith & Wesson CKSUR1 Combat Knife
- 5.88 inch stainless steel blade
- Heavy duty sheath
- Approximate Cost: 20 USD
Mag pouches, holsters, cleaning kits, bipod, mag loaders, canteens, mess kit, medical equipment, sleeping pad, etc?:
- Approximate Cost: 150 USD

((Sorry again this took so long, the items section was a bitch. Also, my stats keep adding up to 495, but they each check out individually. It's pissing the hell out of me, and I can't figure out where I messed up.))

I've been meaning to get a character but honestly that character sheet is a bit daunting. I'll try and have something up by Sunday.

It's really not so bad once you try it. I could try my best to help with anything, especially items. We have scores of roleplaying books at my house, so I checked several of those as well as the internet for the prices I got for everything.

@Everyone: I'm gonna make a moderately small change. I'll make the appropriate corrections in the first post (if I don't forget).

"Resist Fatigue" is another required/free skill under body.
A fatigue check might be done after a tiring event. You roll against your body stat. You succeed, nothing happens. You fail, you suffer a -10 penalty to some appropriate things (body, speed, some related skills to name a few).
The resist fatigue skill allows you to flip-flop a failed roll if the result will be under your skill.

"Intimidation" is another required/free skill under soul.
It's pretty self explanatory.
The persuasion skill would be for persuading things in a non-intimidating manor.

The reason for these two skills is so that body and soul have more skills to spread out points on. (I would add more skills if I could think of them, but I can't.)
Throwing ideas out (not for free skills), perhaps "extra wound points," or "good luck."

So your skill points should at up to 520 plus half of your speed.

@Sunfish: Like Glyph said, making the character actually isn't too bad once you get going.
The items will be the hardest part.

@Glyph: I don't think you remembered that initiative starts at HALF of your speed skill, instead of 15.
You might not have spent all of your bonus points (it seems to be only 60, not 70).
Bear in the mind changes above (two new free skills). It should be 240 from stats, 70 from bonus, 210 free, and half of your speed from initiative. So 520 plus half of your speed.

Would it be correct to assume that after the shooting competition, Rae practiced A LOT with the gun? Because 60 is extremely high.

Besides adjusting for what I added, and whatever math mistake you made, everything seems in order.
I'll have to get back to you on items. It's looking like I'm gonna use the prices you provided.
Good work. :-)

EDIT: @Glyph: One more thing, you forgot to pick which skill to be your obsession skill.
(I take back all of those nice things I said.)

Name: Rae Revard
Gender: Female
Age: 17
Height: 5' 9"
General Build: Lithe with muscles. Athletic.
Appearance: Medium length brown hair (curly near the edges), thick eyelashes, grey eyes. Typically wears jeans, long sleeve shirts, combat boots, anything with minimal skin exposure.

Backstory (Childhood, Growing Up, Adulthood): Born into a relatively stable household, Rae grew up with an interest in mechanics and rockets. Wanted to be an astronaut as a girl. She had a fairly "normal" childhood, and spent her time with friends or going to school. Thanks to her family's moderate income, she received a computer at the age of 14, and soon spent much of her time online. During this time, her morality and world view changed significantly as she became more experienced thanks to her interactions on the internet and in school. Her parents also separated due to infidelity, and this would cause Rae to become much more independent. This, coupled with financial troubles and severe tension in her life would put Rae into a depressive state for more than a year, during which time she experienced periods of schizophrenic hallucinations. This is the source of her fear of abandonment, and she typically hates being alone. With her family life in shambles, Rae focused on her academics. Being a social introvert, she also spent more time than ever online, and became close friends with several people this way. After both her father and mother were unable to afford their housing, she gathered up as much money as she could find and left home. With no job experience, Rae spent several months on the street, and soon bought a TT-33 for protection. Fate was kind to her, however and she signed up for and won 1st place in a shooting contest, despite a lack of any training (or even perfect eyesight, for that matter). With the prize money, she bought some equipment and became a mercenary, training her skills with a rifle almost obsessively.

Rage Passion: Ignorance and closed-mindedness.
Fear Passion: Abandonment.
Noble Passion: Making others happy, or at least not miserable.

Body Stat: 45
Speed Stat: 70
Mind Stat: 70
Soul Stat: 55

(Body Skills)
Fighting: 25
General Athletics: 50 (+10)
Resist Fatigue: 35 (+10)

(Speed Skills)
Dodge: 35 (+10)
Initiative: 50
Driving: 15
Firearms: 60
Sneak: 15

(Mind Skills)
General Education/Street Knowledge: 40 (+10)
Notice: 60 (+10)
First Aid: 35 (+10) (OBSESSION)
Handyman: 35 (+10)

(Soul Skills)
Lying: 35
Negotiations: 40
Intimidation: 25

Items:
5.56 mm AR-180 (Sterling-Armalite)
- Barrel Length: 464 mm
- Muzzle Veloc: 1000m/s
- Effective Range: 460m
- Approximate Cost: 700 USD
Bushnell 3-24x40 Rifle Scope
- Mil Dot Reticle
- Glare Resistant
- Approximate Cost: 100 USD
Armalite 5.56 mm 10 round Magazine (3)
- Easy loading/unloading
- Holds 10 rounds
- Approximate Cost: 100 USD for 3 magazines
5.56x45 FMJ (250 rounds)
- 55 grain full metal jacket
- Boxer primed brass casings
- Approximate Cost: 100 USD for 250 rounds
7.62 mm TT-33 Tokarev
- Barrel Length: 116 mm
- Muzzle Veloc: 420m/s
- Effective Range: 55m
- Approximate Cost: 450 USD
7.62x25 Tokarev FMJ (100 rounds)
- 85 grain full metal jacket
- Boxer primed brass casings
- Approximate Cost: 50 USD
Tula 7.62 mm 8 round magazine (1)
- Easy loading/unloading
- Holds 8 rounds
- Approximate Cost: 30 USD for 1 magazines
Smith & Wesson CKSUR1 Combat Knife
- 5.88 inch stainless steel blade
- Heavy duty sheath
- Approximate Cost: 20 USD
Mag pouches (2 assault rifle, 1 pistol), holsters, cleaning kits, bipod, canteen (3 quart), medical equipment, etc?:
- Approximate Cost: 150 USD

((That should fix everything... I think.))

((EDIT2: Okay, NOW everything should be fixed.))

Name: Ted Slinger
Gender: Male
Age: 19
Height: 5' 11"
General Build: Slim, most muscles being in his legs for improved mobility.
Appearance: Shaggy medium length brown hair, brown eyes, and surprisingly fair skin. Likes to wear his old Stetson hat, sturdy denim jeans, and a poncho over his leather vest to hide his holster.
Backstory
Child: Born into an exceedingly well off family on a far off planet, Ted was given everything he ever wanted exactly when he wanted it. Or at least he was until it was discovered that his father had been illegally selling arms to the brown coats during the unification wars. Ted and his family were quickly shipped off world to Erebos to try and avoid persecution from the Alliance.
Middle: Because they had to leave their fortune behind to quickly escape, Ted spent most of his teenage years in relative poverty and he blamed it all on his father's corrupt business practices. He came to hate his father and ran away from home at the age of 14, taking the dual M1869 Smith & Wesson revolvers his father had saved.
Current: After running away, Ted practiced non-stop with his revolvers partly out of necessity, but mostly to try and make a name for himself. In order to survive he has become sort of a shadowy character, fancying himself as a modern day robin hood although most of the proceeds he keeps as payment for services rendered. He is extremely arrogant and loves to show off, and because of his childhood he feels entitled to whatever he wants and doesn't take kindly to the answer no.

Rage Passion: Corruption
Fear Passion: Extreme poverty
Noble Passion: Spreading the wealth

Body Stat: 70
Speed Stat: 70
Mind Stat: 60
Soul Stat: 40

(Body Skills)
Fighting: 35
General Athletics: 45
Resist Fatigue: 35

(Speed Skills) 70
Dodge (Obs): 45
Initiative: 70
Driving: 15
Firearms: 55
Sneak: 15
Dual Wield: 35

(Mind Skills)
General Education/Street Knowledge: 15
Notice: 45
First Aid: 15
Handyman: 45

(Soul Skills)
Lying: 15
Negotiations: 15
Intimidation: 55

Items: $1615.50
2 Smith & Wesson M1869 Revolvers (Nickel) - 900$
6 moon clips - 90$
300 rounds of .44 caliber - 180$
2 leather holsters - 80$
Toolbox full of gun repair equipment - 20$
Gun cleaning equipment - 20$
Wakizashi short sword - 25$
Sword Sheath - 20$
Cleaning rag - .50$
2 Canteens - 10$
Backpack - 20$?
Pistol resistant vest -250$
Remaining Money - $84.50

@Sunfish: I'll get back to you.

@Glyph: I think you have 10 more points spent than you should have.
I think it came from your speed skills. You have 10 extra there.

I'm gonna bump the price of the pistol up to 450 (due to environment of game).
For the pistol holster I'll say 40 dollars.
For the magazine holders, I'll say 10 per pouch (regardless of size, though you should specify how man of each size).
20 for the gun cleaning kit.
20 for the bipod.
30 for each of the magazine loaders.
5 for a 1 quart canteen (if you want to have one canteen that's X quarts, just multiply the price by X).
15 for a mess kit.
25 for a basic med kit.
20 for a sleeping pad.


@Everyone: For those that are interested:
A bullet resistant vest that can resist pistols is 250.
A bullet resistant vest that can resist heavier weapons (rifles, shotguns) is 800.

In general, if you want to throw more money into something, something can be worked out to make it better.
(The price will likely jump up a big deal though, no "I'll add a couple dollars.")

I'm probably gonna hold off on the specific details of each item until the very end.

Remember that having a little money left over is probably a good thing.