Blowback and Character awards for "The Palantir Commission"

This last session was rather eventful. Here are the awards and things to keep in mind for tomorrow the next session.

• Arnadil
• Lasting effect: Claw wound on chest while in dirty water, possible infection.
• Lasting effect: To fullfill your compulsive carousing after all this excitement, you must get yourself to the drunk level (or else get bad temper...) once that the company has a down time. You aren't sure that you'll have enough booze to get there. Maybe the orcs have a stash of moonshine... It was a hard day, and it ain't over.
• 2 cp in whatever makese sense, or 1 LUCK point.
• Finbert
• Great session! 1 free cp for the spotlight award.
• 2 cp to whatever you want (stealth would make sense, but your are free with them)
• Halin
• Lastin effect: Uncorrected nearsighteness. -2 combat, -6 PER. You may use your one scratched lense and have -2 PER while using one hand. You are temporarily under a Social Stigma (infirm) for as long as you are squinting this heavily.
• Irina
• Whoa swordplay girl! 1 cp to shortsword and 2 cp to a brand new HP (ceiling raised, not actual HP!)
• Lasting effect: You have a bleeding gash in your chest. You may want to put a bandage on that!
• Lasting effect: How many arrows are left again?
• Kasper
• 1 cp into Fear (yes, a critical spell failure is a learning moment).
• 1 cp into Panic (the old staple)
• 1 cp into tactics.
• Nilppi
• 1 LUCK point
• Nimrodel
• Lasting effect: you are missing a nose!
• No sense of smell (disadvantage)
• -2 reactions because you are grotesquely disfigured.
• 1 cp into bow
• 1 cp into Fast draw
• Thannolf
• Lasting effect: You are traumatized by the close call on your groin area, for this one session alone, you must break off combat reach of your opponent if you fail an active defence. The effect is dispelled once you cause someone's bodily harm and get your mojo on (HP, FP or pain damage).  
• 2 cp into whatever makes sense. 
• 1 cp into tactics (you learned a lot doing pitched battled this time).

Character Award for Reclaiming Khazad-dum

Every player receive a 1 LUCK point award. This LUCK point can be used to reroll 1 to 3 dices on a single check. Alternatively, 

• Arne 
• 1 LUCK point
• Vadek
• What will Vadek do with the Obsidian Rod? Drolf would be amenable to buy the trinket from you.
• Bain
• Roleplaying Vadek throught this chapter: You may spend 4 cp on Bain, this must somehow make sense with what he has been up to: preparing for the Emerald's departure, travelling from Erebor to Browek Bridge (where the adventure will resume) 
• Jason
• 1 LUCK point
• Khazek
• Khazek has gained an artifact Dagger ( highest quality, yet to be determined properties)
• Khazek has gained an Obsidian rod.
• Khazek had 2cp on Acrobatics or climbing from the previous session, did you spent them?
• 4cp: What did Khazek learned in this chapter? Wrestling? Dagger and sword? Hidden Lore?
• Paul
• 1 LUCK point for Throdar
• Thordar
• 2 cp in survival (forest) or survival (woodland) 
• 2 cp worth of contacts/allies within the Emerald-Unit
• Douglas
• 1 LUCK point for Gesdrek
• Gesdrek
• 2 cp worth of contact/allies within the Emerald-Unit
• 1 cp Area Knowledge (Mirkwood)
• 1 cp Cartography
• Gordon
• 1 LUCK point for Gror
• Gror
• 1 cp Intelligence Gathering
• 1 cp Strategy
• 1 cp Leadership
• 1 cp survival (forest)

NPCs

• Drolf has gained 1 artifact dagger.

Character Awards for Reclaiming Khazad-dum

• Khazek Strongmoss
• 1pt Staff
• 1pt Bow
• 2 pts (free) Achievement 
• Vadek Rock
• 1 pt Main weapons (hatchet right?)
• 1 pt Slam ( DX or Brawling or Sheild)
• 2 pts (free) Achievement 
• Drolf, Attack-Lord
• 1 pt Main weapon (Two-handed Mace right?)
• 1 pt Main Weapon ( Feint )
• 1 pt Tactics or Leadership
• 1 pt (free) Achievement
• Kalin Stronghold
• 1 pt Main Weapon (Poleaxe)
• 3 pts Lifting ST 1 ( increases your basic lift... running in this really heavy armor is getting you some nicely chiseled calves)
• Donarik 
• 1 pt Main Weapon
• 1 pt Bow
• Gimvar
• 1 pt Main Weapon

Character Award for the Palantir Campaign, Chapter 2

1. Compulsory
1. You are all now very famous as "the Southron". This is a very potent Reputation 3. It isn't worth any points because it is likely to be a either +3 or -3, depending on the crowd. 
2. All disads coming from wearing the tribal amulets are removed (no points modification).
3. Stage 1 itemize cp awards for ending Chapter 2. 
4. Stage 2 cover training and roleplaying while on the Raven
5. Stage 3 is a preparatory step for Chapter 3, with optional training.
6. Free points used on skill *must* make sense. Either by use in adventure, or if training allows it.
2. Optional
1. Anyone who has been a wraith can buy a 3 pts version of Medium to be able to see and hear into the shadow world ( at Per-2 ).
2. Anyone may upgrade your spoken Lossoth from Broken to Accented for 1 point.

Stage 1 - Session 16 and 17

• Arnadil ( 2 sessions )
• 6 free points
• May choose to purchase Alcoholism [ -15 pts ]. Alcoholism is a debilitating disad. You may want to consider the milder compulsive carousing, or the made up quirk Must drink away his sorry at the end of a bad day [-1 pt].  
• Pelvis injury came back to normal in about 15 days.
• Finbert ( 1 session )
• 3 free points
• 1 point in climbing
• Galdor ( 1 session )
• 3 free points
• 1 point in Bow
• Halin ( 2 sessions )
• 6 free points
• Wrestling is eligible (due to sparring on the Raven).
• Irina ( 2 sessions )
• 6 free points
• Gain Careful [-1]
• May purchase Reputation 1 (Performer) for 5 points, it would have to be valid in Minas Tirith an area only. Point value may be less if not everyone end-up recognize you.
• Kasper ( 0 session )
• Lasting injury: Your crippled hand took 1 full month to heal to an acceptable level.
• Acquire Araliniel's Seeker spell book.
• 1 point into Fear (Use on Farathu)
• 3 points to put in any spell, including the Seeker spell from Araliniel's book.
• Thannolf ( 2 sessions )
• 6 free points
• 1 pt in Diplomacy, Fast-talk or Leadership
• 1 cp for the "GM's awesome rookie playing award". Use this point wisely, son.
• 2 cp for wrestling (or wrestling technique such as hand grappling)

Stage 2 - On the Raven

You had a lot of time for yourself! Here is a breakdown of free time that you may allocate to skills. Tell me what you want to improve, and how. I'll let you know the odds and whether you get character points out of it.

• 400 hours ( 8 hours per day )
• All but Thannolf
• 150 hours ( <4 hours per day )
• Thannolf. You free time is restricted by your contract with Vacros and your compulsive need for carousing.

Stage 3 - In Minas Tirith

In Minas Tirith, here are your situations for the coming 30 days:

• Arnadil : Stay at home and rest. No incurred cost. 240 hours of free time ( 8 per day ).
• Finbert : Need money to pay for a 2 celebin/day lifestyle ( rent, food, parties ). What is your plan? 
• Galdor : Need money to cover a 2 celebins/day lifestyle ( claim to hospitality, expensive tastes, gambling ). Will stay at fellow Dol Amroth noble home. May work as Legal apprentice, may work in the city watch, may just have fun for a month.
• Halin : Need money for a 2 celebins/day lifestyle ( rent, food, ale). Is free to work, research or do as he pleases.
• Irina : Needs money for a 2 celebins/day lifestyle. May perform to make a living. Some free time during the day.
• Kasper :  May remain at the services of Galdor, or go alone. Either way, will need about 2 celebins/day. May return to Anorien to family estate.
• Thannolf : Minas Tirith is your playground! Your Northmen social stigma doesn't apply here, neither is the criminal one. What gives?

Character awards for Reclaiming Khazad-dum: Into Mirkwood

This is a long overdue post about character awards for this campaign. It covers all actions since the beginning of the Ardacer's adventure after splitting from the diplomatic mission near Lake-Town. This includes ten days of overland travel and the action seen in the last two days.

Drolf

Drolf has spent quite a bit of time settling into his command position. He has taken interest in Intelligence Analysis ( 1 cp ). He did take the lead in the battle of Browek Bridge ( 1 cp into Strategy ), but deferred to his subordinates quite a bit as well. His leadership was used during the heroic action of Browek Bridge ( 50% chance of gaining 1 cp, success ). Drolf participated into an heroic action and gets to place 1 cp into any combat skill or technique, or related attribute. I really liked the use of meditation as a way to cope with nightmares ( 1 cp in meditation + 1 free cp ). 

As a side note, your men are hoping for a bit of looting. You promised them spoil, and Mirkwood is frankly not that great for it, but Drolf can sense that the concern is bouncing around the mercenaries with increasing frequency.

Character Awards for Palantir Campaign, Session 15

Here are the character awad for the last session. This also includes the side session Cliffside Swordfight. 

• Araliniel
• 1 free pt - for being there
• Arnadil
• 1 pt in Broadsword - fighting briefly against new kinds of foes (Lossoth and Shapithui)
• 1 pt free
• Astor has absorbed power through its great deeds:
• Weapon-bond with Arnadil (1pt, +1 to Hit)
• Cold-damage (+1 if the damage penetrates AND Astor deems the opponent worth it)
• Finbert
• 1 pt in Brawling
• 1 pt free
• Galdor
• 1 pt in Broadsword or Wrestling - Fight vs Lossoths 
• 1 pt in Sheild (Fight vs Lossoths)
• 1 pt Area Knowledge (North) or Hiking - for all this hiking today
• Your sword is now magical:
• Galdor has a weapon-bond with it (+1 to Hit)
• When causing penetrating damage, release a jolt of 1d+FP cold damage. Where FP comes from Galdor himself.
• Halin
• 1 pt Two-handed Axe/Mace - Fight vs Lossoths
• 1 pt Area Knowledge (North) or Hiking - You did a lot of walking around today!
• Zander has awakened (Warhammer's self declared new name):
• Weapon Bond with Halin (1pt, +1 to hit)
• IQ 6, Will 12, Per 10, simple telepathic language to Halin only
• Disadvantage - Pride
• May refuse to fight against lesser foes (up to -3 to Hit )
• Can be "conviced" by a contest of Will ( takes 1d second to argue)
• Irina
• 1 pt in Brawling - Fight against Lossoths
• 1 pt free
• Kasper
• 1 pt free - for being there
• Thannolf
• 1 pt free
• 1 pt wrestling or Brawling - for fight vs temple guard
• Bone Knife has become magical through a great deed:
• Weapon bond with Thannold (1 pt)
• Magical Barb (May get stuck like a swinging impaling weapon)
• Improve HT 14 - making it very hard to break

Character award for Palantir Session 12 to 13

Everyone gets a 2 pt serendipity point which can be used to buy a reroll of one dice. Alternativly, these can be used toward the purchase of an advantage or disadvantage (such as combat reflex [15pt])

• Araliniel
• 1 pt into Read Palantir
• 1 pt into See Shadow world
• Arnadil
• 2 pt into either Politics, Diplomacy, Fast-talk
• 1 free point
• Finbert
• 1 pt into Shortsword
• 1 pt into Wrestling
• Galdor
• 1 pt into Wrestling
• 1 pt into Shield
• 1 pt towards Per
• Halin
• 1 pt into Two-handed Axe/Mace
• 2 free points
• Irina
• 1 pt into Fast-draw (bow)
• 2 pt into ST
• Kasper
• 2 pt into Panic
• Thannolf
• 2 pt into Wrestling
• 1 pt into Knife

Character Awards for Reclaiming Khazad-dum Session 4

Here are the characters awards for Session 4 (Thranduil Hall):

• Bain
• 1 pt into Sindarin (spoken, broken level) OR Sindarin (written, broken level)
• 2 pts toward something else than skills.
• Arne decided to allocate 2pt to add Ngai as a Contact:
• Effective Skill 12 (Hidden Lore, History, etc), usually reliable X 2, comes fairy often (9) X 1 . Ngai will be using Dream as a medium to contact Bain. This is the coolest two points spent by a PC I've seen.
• Khazek
• 1 pt into either Body language or Psychology
• 2 pts towards something else than skills.
• Put these towards a Stalker Talent level.
• Donarik
• 1 pt into Shortsword (for playing with it... barely enough not to be at default with it).
• 2 pt towards Fearlessness (chasing a wraith...)
• Gimvar
• 2 pts toward Per or 1pt towards Observation
• 1 pt towards Acting

Character Awards for the Palantir Commission

Social Map

The company have impressed Kirken and Taaso sufficiently to make them sympathetic to their cause, but within very limited parameters. A good reaction means that they are willing to help if it is profitable to them. A very good reaction implies some level of material support, but no risk taking. 

The sailors have been distressed by the perils of the North, and by the visions of horrors that took place during the walrus encounter. It is difficult to pin them down as a group, but their support varies from Neutral to Bad (will do harm if profitable). 

Collective Delusion

You guys are doing great at turning a blind eye to Kasper's spellcasting: both metagamingwise and also in-game. So many things have occurred during stressful situations that each member of the company is under a minor delusion (Valar Patron). The coincidental and convenient occurence of trolls falling asleep, and wraith raids scaring walruses, combined with your encounter with Linluile in Annuminas, has lead you to the impression that you are under the protecting hand of the Valar Irmo. Delusions affect social interaction where you may find natural to point out your awesome patron, while other will simply assume that you have a delusion.

Area Knowledge, savoir faire,

Everyone may allocate 1 pt into Area Knowledge (Forochel), or Savoir-Faire (Lossoth), or Hidden Lore (Forochel), or keep the points as a free re-roll.

Individual Award

• Araliniel
• 1pt into Rapier
• 1 free point
• Arnadil
• 1 pt into Diplomacy
• 2 pt into any social skills
• Finbert
• 1 pt into Blowpipe OR Wrestling
• 2 pt into any social skills
• Galdor
• 1 pt into Broadsword
• 1 pt into Shield
• Halin
• 1 pt Diplomacy
• 1 pt Grip Mastery Perk (allow grip change without a ready action)  OR
• 2 pt into Rapid Strike (Two-Handed Axe Mace) []
• Irina
• 2 pt into Fast-Draw (bow)
• 1 pt into Disarming smile shtick.
• Kasper
• 2 pt into Panic Spell
• 1 pt into Longsword
• Thannolf
• 2 pt into Wrestling
• 1 pt into knife
• 1 pt into Diplomacy, Sex Appeal or Detect Lies.

Experience for Session 10 the the Palantir Commission

Session 10 has seen some interesting action. This post also covers the Winter spent in Tharbad (Play by Post). Here are the character points award for each character involved:

• Araliniel
• 1 pt - research
• 2 pt - seeker
• Arnadil
• 1 pt - Leadership OR any other social skill
• 1 pt - Tactics
• 3 pt - Strategy and/or Intelligence Analysis
• 1 pt - free (related to your Palantir Commission work)
• Finbert
• 1 pt - search
• 2 pt - Bartending
• 2 pt - Connoiseur (beer)
• 2 pt - Brewing
• 1 pt - Cooking
• Galdor
• 1 pt - Perception
• 3 pt - Leadership
• Halin
• 1 pt - Wrestling or brawling
• 1 pt - Metallurgy
• 2 pt - Architecture
• Irina
• 1 pt - Fast-draw
• 1 pt - Administration (Setting up Marksmanship course)
• 2 pt - Staff or technique of (Sparring each day with her students).
• Reputation 1 (entertainer) now extends to Tharbad (beyond the Shire)
• 100 celebins in Performance proceeds
• Kasper
• 1 pt in Sleep
• 1 pt in Panic
• 1 pt in Two-Handed Sword
• 1 pt in Stop Hits (Two-handed Sword)

Award for K06 - Many doors and Many chambers

Here is the experience for Session 3 - Many Doors and Many Chambers of the Reclaiming Khazad-dum campaign. 

• Bain
• Credits towards Cultural familiarity (Wood elves)
• Credits towards spoken Sindarin
• 2 pt towards an empathy-related skill (Detect lie, psychology (practical), etc.) or Will
• 1 pt Politics
• Donarik
• 1 pt towards tracking or 
• 1 pt towards Drum
• 1 pt bow (lesson from the elves)
• Gimvar
• 1 pt Tracking
• 1 pt Stealth
• 1 pt Acting
• 1 pt bow (lesson from the elves)
• Khazek
• 1 pt Teaching (last part of the session)
• 1 pt Tracking OR stealth
• 1 pt Naturalist
• 1 pt Interrogation

Experience for Session 2 of Reclaming Khazad-dum

This posts updates the characters for both two live sessions and the play by post. Let me know if I'm forgetting something.

Experience for Session 9 of the Palantir Campaign

An interesting session for the Palantir Campaign. Here is the experience allowance for the PC and NPCs.

Everyone get 1 pt Area Knowledge (North), or can used this point as free. In addition:

Experience for Session 8

Session 8 was a one-off, but nonetheless part of the Palantir campaign. Kudos to Lucas (Nimrodel) for his good roleplaying! 

First of all, all four are earning the trait:

• Reputation +1 (Shire) : Warg slayers.

Infividually:

• Finbert
• 2 pts in either 
• Blowpipe
• Hiking
• Tracking
• Carousing
• Perception
• FP
• Halin
• 2 pts in either
• Hiking
• Two-handed Hammer/Axe
• Tracking
• Perception
• FP
• Irina
• 2 pts in either
• Hiking
• Tracking
• First-Aid
• Bow
• Carousing
• ST (because you are explicitly emphasizing this trait).
• Perception
• HT or FP
• Nimrodel
• 2 pts in either
• Observation
• Tracking
• Interrogation
• Perception

Experience for Session 7

Experience time again. I recommend buying a level of fearlessness (2pt per level), which gives +1 to fright checks. This is much cheaper than 5 pt to get an additional level in Will.

Lasting impacts of Session 6

There are two kind of lasting effects for this session affecting the Palantir Campaign's PCs. First, there is experience, that's a given. There are also other kinds of lasting effects to take care of.

Experience for Session 5

This session was rather eventful. There shall be candies to hand out. Let me know if I forgot anything in particular. Achievement and Roleplay are free points, given respectively for accomplishing some key objective, or playing your character particularly well.

Experience for Session 4

Session 4 saw some scouting and some traveling. The heroes for this session was Arnadil's prep-work back in Minas Tirith and Edoras. The other story heroes are Irina and Finbert for scouting into the great unknown white. Here is the breakdown of experience granted for this session:

Experience granted for Session 3

The twelve days or so of traveling has given you 2 points to put in any of the following skills:

• Survival (plains)
• Soldier (camp life, cooking, etc)
• Weather Sense
• Area Knowledge (Dunland)

GURPS as an economic model?

I've been wondering for a while about whether GURPS could be used as an economic engine for a world simulation. This took me to what I think is the edge of some of the mechanics in the game. But yet again, I don't own all GURPS 4e books and I'm probably wrong. The issue is at the edge of GURPS because the system wasn't designed to do that. Yet again, I think that it touched on some core mechanics in GURPS related to experience and character advancement.