Last Post of 2010

Thank You everyone who has read this blog.

2010 hasn't been such a good year for me. It was supposed to begin with some oral surgery to remove broken wisdom teeth, which then got delayed until April. Both my parents have received bad news about their employment status,  and my dad had surgery. A much beloved Aunt died, as did a cat that has been in the family for 18 years. Opportunities to role-play or test my games were all but non-existent, and projects that I hoped to work on remain undone.

This electronic document, and the fact that I've been able to mostly keep to schedule with nearly eighty posts stands out as one of the highlights of the year.

So what do I want for this game in 2011?

• I want to make the branching choice about what the next edition should be like
• 1.5 simply means cleaning up what is already present.
• 2.0 is a more thorough overhaul more thoroughly, including the 1-7 stats with two aim attributes I've discussed before.
• Chapter names will become more thematic: "Rise, Move, Attack, Evolve, Reflect, Analise, Archive" - the last four being room for optional rules, in setting info, encyclopedic facts, and GM tools like adventures and NPCs.
• In either case, I must begin to prioritize to figure out how much must really be in the book. 
• A more finalized version of the supplement will become available.
• The search for an artist must begin as this should go beyond just text to a publishable work.
• Hopefully comments and traffic on this site will increase, and the feedback can drive further creativity.

Hopefully, some of my other projects neglected in the wake of D&B should see the light of day again:

• Dead EISS anime war game
• Mosquito Fleet educational game about PT operations in WWII
• Edge Knights medieval cyberpunk
• Six Gun - a reconstruction era wild west game
• Of G-Men and Supermen needs a supplement
• Gangland Triage - the expanded and complete edition of my old Gangland Rules
• Emperor's Edict - an indie style game about being the thought police.
• 24 hour RPG projects
• A game that fits in a CD case about spies working undercover as a rock band and its roadies.

May you new year be filled with intriguing projects, joy, and chances to play games around the table with friends.

And don't let the zombies bite you.

Back at the Radio Station

"How are the repairs going?"
"Not so well Mr. Hobbes."
"You're being formal. You're never formal unless your angry. What did I do and how do I apologize?"
"Am I supposed to just accept that you invited a bunch of aliens to our studio? Its not a bunker, its not even good quality plywood for the most part! The most important part of our safety is that no one knows where it is!"
"Its a civil defense shack surrounded by a fence, next to a highway, with a 46 meter tall antenna topped with airplane warning lights and the only structure aside from that gas station in fifty something miles of flat plains. We're not exactly hidden."
"Still far enough out no one comes here unless they've got business."
"You still have something against the aliens, don't you? We've done multiple interviews, and they've been quite genial about it."
"Sooner or later, people are going to want to do something about them. having a radio network wouldn't hurt - as would not displaying overt sympathies."
"It'll be a long time until that's much of a factor. Besides, if they've got com units to keep in touch with the ships orbiting the moon, they can certainly triangulate one of the few high powered transmitters in the Rockies."
"I know that on the balance our fellow human beings are a bigger threat than the reanimates and citizens both. "I just don't like people who won't speak to you face to face. My father never had actual encounters it was always a courier, intermediary ... or hit man... "
"Yeah, I check some historical archives for Mexico - so your really related to that De Zufingia...?"
"This conversation ENDS NOW. Wait - so you hear - what the hell is that shreik?"
"Aircraft engines - outside and close."

Diego and Thomas rushed outside, just in time to see a large cargo jet touch down on the highway and break hard. Two engines glowed on either side of the high T-tail, and two more hung from supports on the wing. It didn't match any transport operated in the US and if the marks on the tail were an ID number - they weren't Arabic numerals.

"It seems our visitors have arrived Tom."

The rear loading ramp dropped to the ground, and an Incubus armor stepped out, followed by a truck sized cargo container, and then two more pushing the over-sized dolly.

"Good AftERnoon gentlemen. We bring you gifts."

"Well, um, thank-you. Normally its the broadcasters who reward guests for appearing on the show..."
"We found some other transMITters in ill repAir, and thought they could be set up as repEAters to extend your range."
"I couldn't be happier to receive new equipment" Diego started, "but the fact is we're at a power deficit already. We only broadcast from eight to eight any given day so the batteries have time to charge. There is no local power grid to run anything much in the way of ancillary equipment."
"We can PROvide the needed enERgy.  It will just take a little longER to set up.
"Moving from my sound-man's technical objections, I must ask if there is something you want in return - why the sudden philanthropy? I was under the impression you were skirting regs already."

The armor gave the alien shrug sign - "skirt regs?"

"You were breaking the rules or close too it."

"Not sanctioned, but no rule against it."

"And there is still no rule against supplying us this equipment?"

"If a citizen remains here with you it is a field study and transMISsion experimENt dealing with human techNOlogies, and thus officially encouraged and paid for with group funds." 

"Well, if nothing else - that kind of politics proves we have more in common than than anyone realizes."
"Interesting point, Diego - but are you not going to object?"

"Can we have one on those E-cady things?"

"EE-KAI-EYE-DEE. And no. It would not fit a human. OF course for the citizen who remains here it would be fitting protection..."
"You were just talking about how poorly protected this place is you know..."
"This can't be a good idea."
"That isn't a no."
"Can I think about it?"

"This is SING-SING with the Morning Swing! We've got some big bands to start your day! Later we'll have contemporary music, and for for lunch you can chew on some academic discussion of nano-batteries and the types of power-cells. This is 104.3 WJMK - live from the wasteland!"

"You know - that thing is surprisingly good at this - though might it have picked a better name?"
"Its actual name is a musical chord whistled at a pitch that shorts out speakers - I'd say this is a pretty good compromise."
"OK, but I'm not going to lower everything to half height for it."

Welcome to Tesla 1

15:03 Current Time
Ah welcome, welcome! Can I get you a cup of coffee?

Those bewildered stares, the incredulous responses, the patent certainty that there is no fresh coffee to be had on this continent since trade with Brazil, Columbia, and Myanmar stopped. Elsewhere, city state and anarchy zone, that may be true. But its also true you probably meet a lesser caliber of person there. But here in Tesla - we have the will! That is what it is all about!

We live in an underground man made cave system that is fully controlled in humidity, temperature, and lighting. If we want to make a tropical room to grow coffee tree in - we can do it. With the will, we could make the same set up in Antarctica, or on the moon! I'm sure the Mars colonies have made their own coffee supply - or committed suicide by now. With the desire to see something, and the desire to see it through, anything is possible.

Ha, ha - NO. Money and resources are not necessarily impediments. If anything - they're an abstract measure of will - how much currency you're willing to acquire to make it happen, how many people you're willing to negotiate with. In theory, with enough will, you could acquire all the material you need for free - by force of rhetoric or arms. Tesla is a society of people who want to see things get done!

You're sadly predictable you know. I keep hoping someone is going to avoid asking that question, about how do you govern a bunch of strong willed anarchists, and while not always, I'm usually disappointed.

Simply put - you don't. Really - what the hell is government? Some guy who makes lies and promises about the old values and lowering taxes, and keeping out foreigners pandering to his base, and then stuck on a committee making choices about farm-subsidies when he's never handled a bag of fertilizer and deciding standards of elementary school education without any knowledge of childhood developmental psychology. There might be a few who aren't corrupt soulless monsters, but nine times out of ten, they're making rules for a game they don't play.

In Tesla, we have savants. We're all connected to the sphere augmented reality system, we can all receive real-time updates and vote. And all the debates are lead by people who are actually competent in the area up for discussion. Want better farms - talk to a farmer, not the defense industry puppet.

Right -there you go - a combination of meritocracy and direct democracy assisted by a computerized hive mind. Well, not hive mind yet. Soon maybe.

Yeah - I liked that TV show too, but for all its forward thinking, there's a bit of sour gapes in there too. Humans aren't immortal, but hey - immorality sucks so its fine. How would the writers know if they haven't tried it? If you only watched all the movies that came out each year, you'd probably kill a few decades without getting too board, and all the languages to learn, beautiful sights to see, the advance of society as it goes on... Just think of how much the world changed in the 20th century alone.

We're a little more grounded than immortality of course. But that doesn't mean we can't make lives longer and free of pain. Why force a woman to carry a defective parasite for nine months and spend years caring for it, when we can use nanotech to modify its genome and grow it in an artificial womb? You're not a parent if you don't want whats best for your child, and who wants the kid to be autistic, or asthmatic...

Here we go - the usual revulsion about us playing god, about ignoring ethical constraints and old international laws. Its not even worth the waste of breath to explain. Walk around for an hour. Anywhere you want. See if we're a bunch of crazy mad scientists for yourself. GO! Go - shoo!

14:25

So we meet again mister... what was your name again? Right, right. Enjoy your walk? What did you see?

Yep - too be expected. Everyone is quite generous. Can you have theft if nothing is owned, and if its just a matter of desire to acquire, then acquiring again is simply needing the same desire. We realize there are limits to resources and thermodynamics but was anyone a right bastard - besides Charlie? Didn't meet him? Well, you didn't miss too much.

The people are nice, we have a common goal such as it is, we just don't feel the need to have a centralized government or stick to certain two thousand year old edicts.

Naughty, naughty outsiders. Always seem to notice that. As I said before, we can control temperature to the point of growing coffee in in the Northern US seventy five meters underground. There is no weather unless we say so, and in turn, clothes are more a convenience than a necessity. Obviously, most of us don't indulge in that freedom - but if you're so afraid of your own skin that you can't see if uncovered, how can you have the bravery to face tomorrow?

If you're still intrigued, I can set you up with a coffin and you can stay a while.

Yes, I said coffin. Do you really need ten or fifteen cubic meters of space to lie down and go comatose for eight hours? A little alcove two and a half meters long, one and a half wide, and about that tall will suffice, put a few personal items in a nearby locker and its all good. Saves space for more important functions around the arco too.

I've got some work to do, and you're eating into my flex time to finish it - so find another guid for a bit, or mediate in one of the halls, and we'll meet again in Indigo seven...

Thats the second big dining hall.

No, that's the meeting room. Go around the spiral clockwise inward two levels...

Screw it, just make your way to the entrance about six and someone will lead you down.

Welcome to New Birmingham 2

14:00

Sorry about the abundance of vegetables and lack of pie. As you imagine, the meats and the treats disappear pretty quickly. We can still stop by my place for some warm cider and vittles if you want. No, I'm afraid we don't have any coffee or tea - they just don't grow in this climate. I'm sure the only ones happy with this lack of caffeine are the Mormons, and even they must miss it a little.

Are you sure you don't want anything? I mean you really don't have to act like the place is on fire and you must leave now. Southern hospitality is still alive you know. This is a good place...

Hey - keep your voice down! And watch your language - people are rather touchy about that around here. And especially in reference to That! We don't talk about that program in polite company! At  least not here. I'm not too comfortable with it either - if you insist we'll talk about the reanaimate troopers later, and in doors. Please, don't make a scene right now - you're lible to get asked to leave after another outburst like that. A crowds forming - lets duck into this shop.

Yes, this is a tobacconist's shop. Some of the residents who live here are surprised we have one too. Officially, New Birmingham outlaws just about every addiction - alcohol, gambling, pornography, marijuana, the only thing you can get high on here is the love of Jesus. However, we still need to trade to get some of what we need, and frankly many of the outside scavengers want worldly pleasures and demon rum. At least the alcohol production can be used for cleaning and powering engines. This shop is mostly here because its enclosed and has that certain feel to it - better than selling them in the open at the actual bazaar.

No, it is not okay to talk about it now - please, just drop the subject. I'm sorry that you ran across a couple of them. Wasn't my idea, I don't know whose it is. I guess god gave us the ability to tame them for some higher purpose. Do you have questions about anything else - please?

I've heard that name before, but I've never understood why they pronounce it so oddly. Abraham is not that odd, its in the bible... Advanced Biological Emergency Research Hospital and Active Medicine Facility - abER-Ham. Oh. I guess that does make sense now. But what is active medicine isn't all treatment an activity? ... Oh that nano stuff. I've never been quite comfortable with being injected with bags full of pink goo. How does that stuff work, and how do they know its safe? Ther've been alchemists and doctors for century, but there's no way to know the long term effects of the nano stuff. Besides, it was endorsed and supplied by a government that also endorsed abortion and gays and gambling and... No, I don't know anything about that place, and if that is where the robot goo come from, I don't want to know anything more.

Yes, I did mention we need to defend the women earlier - that's what the bible says too after-all. I mean, they aren't disallowed from learning to use a gun but that isn't why they're here. We need the man -er person-power so female soldiers and police officers are kind of "grandfathered in" but we aren't training more of them. Obviously, some object to that policy, but um, I don't really have an opinion on that, I try to stay out of those debates. They get rather loud.

Look, you can call our policies backwards - some of us can even agree with you. But an outsider just does not come into our fold and then start critiquing. Its not good manners, and its not going to make you any friends. I think we might best part company for a while before things get ugly. I'll meet you again at the bazaar after we've both had a chance to cool down.

Welcome to New Birmingham 1

A quick aside - I've finally gotten around to updating some of the information pages! Getting the stores and rules ideas done have been of rather higher priority, and most of these elments are introduce in the PDFs, but that is really no excuse for not giving new comers more background about what has been happening in the world of Dead and Back.

13:10 Local Time

Hello brother scavenger! Do you feel well today - it looks like your packs are full. Please, please - my hands are open! I mean you no harm! I'm sure you've had some unfortunate encounters in the past judging from your response - but I propose something far more mutually beneficial. I happen to be scout for Galilee.

Yes, I understand your suspicion about not seeing anywhere with that name on a local map. We have had slightly more pressing things to do than update the old street signs mind you. But I assure you its a real place. All the enclaves of New Birmingham are name for sites in the holey land. Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jericho, Mount Tabor, Hevron... um... Tel Aviv - no thats a modern city... there are currently fourteen at any rate, even if my memory fails me on all the names.

My comrades have a vehicle, and if you like, you may accompany us back. A chance to get off your feet, sell your finds in a civilized place, and stock up on new supplies. At the very least have a good supper - my wife makes wonderful chicken and dumplings and pies one would almost sin for.

13:20

Not such a long trip, was it? But there you go, the double gates of Galilee. Yes, you're not the first to have likened those double chain liken fences with barbed wire on top to those dreadful pictures of camps and prisons of wars past. But really - they look like freedom to me - if you don't focus on the links you can still see through them - we're not cowering on the upper levels of some old building or hiding in welded together shipping containers. This enclave alone is about eight city blocks that one can walk about freely. Provided you're not carrying a rifle anyway- you're going to have to turn in that long arm at the guard house between the fences. 

You may continue to keep that pistol, though. Its your right, nay - duty -  after all as an adult male to cary arms to protect the women and children. The unfortunate rifle limits is simply because we don't like the risk of something over-penetrating a wall and putting others at risk. If there is a need, you'll get it right back - or even one of ours. All the churches act as a second line of defense with their own gates and stocks of supplies should the outer fences be breached. God protects the prepared faithful and the faithfully prepared.

As you can see, we still have our own homes and shop lined streets. Over there is the main park - we're a little late for the usual pot-luck luncheon, but it takes a while to clean up after-wards, so there should still be some leftovers to tide us over. Ah look - Father Bartholomew and Mayor Swan are still there - come, let us give them a kindly hello. Bartholomew is one of the pastors in this enclave, and local leader of the Council of Inquiry - the local internal enforcement of peace and righteousness, while  The Sheppard's Hand is our general military and what I'm subordinate too. I'm sure he won't mind delivering a short benediction over the food again before we eat - he is one of the nicer Inquisitors I've met - they do have quite the important job and its all to easy to become a little short tempered from the strain.

How can you find it odd that we have such a service? Don't you think a bit of religion is what this world of gangs fighting over scraps and walking abominations needs? I, I admit that sometimes they are a little overly intrusive - or a lot overly intrusive.  I wasn't too religious before the event. But the chance of aliens showing up is trillions to one, and the dead walking - only god has that power. I don't think Jesus is going to show up in another two years leading an army of angels. But these times - they do seem to stretch beyond human hands. This is a test of some sort - one of faith, or at least one where faith will help see you through.

But please, please - don't tell the father I said that. He is nice, but some of his underlings are less understanding, and it is his job to pass on such conversations...

Welcome to the Strip 3

20:10

It is a bit of a hassle getting a room - the city can only hold so much transient population at a time, and if we want to keep things constitutional, we can't just force the residents to give us some space. So several of the big hotels are taken over entirely by soldiers, and another is split based on service, and then there are always a few scattered every where else to be posted near their emergency deployment areas. Its possible to get a room, even a very nice one - though a good number are still set aside for big-wigs, generals, and for rewards given to people who bring in a big haul. As I hinted before - bring a cattle drive here, and you could get a tower suite pemamently. Course, its been how many years since anyone's seen a cow?

OK, here we are - 527 - thumb your biometric please - and we're in. So much more convenient than those old key cards, right? Lights! Lights? Not set up for verbal commands - shouldn't be surprised. That window looks over a parking lot if your luck, but what do you expect for free?

Ignoring the lack of modern technology - its a hotel room. About the fanciest thing here is the low water use bidet and that is mostly here because we don't have a forest to clear cut for TP. The shower is on a timer, and you basically need to pay for that - in case you haven't noticed, we're a city in a desert. As per usual - the entire wall facing the bed is a media screen backed by flat panel directional phased speakers so no one else has to hear it. I doubt the channel selections anything of note, and the interface dongle for your personal computer is by the alarm-clock radio.

Aside from the fact you're staying here alone and haven't had a chance to add some personality to the room, this is pretty much how all the troops in Vegas camp.

Its already past curfew, and while rank has its privileges, you're not worth abusing them over. Sorry to break it to ya kid.I'll have one of my troopers pick you up around breakfast. Sleep well now.

09:45

Yew da one Hardcastle is lookn fer? Good, we gotta see im soon as yer done. What yew gots der anyways? Goat cheese, bell peppers, fresh bread - add two shots and dat'll be the standart strip breakfast right dere. Pretty standart in Isreal too - though it tasted better over der. Back wen der was still coffeh - we all miss dat. Surprising how few things in dese united states contain caffeine naturally - and soda just don taste rite widout it. Yewd dink specially out in the desert an xanthine alkaloid pesticide wud be a good way to safeguard precious wader from insects. Ilex vomitoria grows much fader East den here.

What? I'm on da intelegence staff, not sum ignint grunt.

Anyhew, dis is bout where Hardcastle would say sometin like "We can't stay here, this is bat country!" an try to hurry yew on up. If yewd be so kind, we do have dings to do.

10:10

That boy's accent is so thick you can cut it with a knife, but he's a good one. Just don't get his started on horticulture - he'll talk your ears off on anything doing with botany. He's braved ebola, malaria, and a few other diseases we only discovered ten, fifteen years ago so he could study plants for his thesis. Nearly had a doctorate, then gets brought back into service due to the state of emergency. Sad really - I'm sure he'd like noting more than to see some of the plants the aliens brought with them. We don't see any shrimp in this state, up north are some - they ain't so bad - but California is just crawling with them, and those ones are bastards. Its really hard to make runs down the highway when there's laser towers and air cover.

Which of course brings us to why you've gotten the royal treatment so far. A full company is one thing, but they don't dispatch much force to deal with individuals. If you're willing to scout into California, or act as a courier to places back East, there some good rewards to be had. This notepad contains a list of some of the standard deals we make, and items we're looking for. Of course, you'll have to sign an NDA first and agree to a test of character before we get too far into this process. Knowledge of our supply shortages and needs is a matter of military intelligence and could be valuable to the wrong sort of people you know.

I'll give you some time to think about it of course. But we aren't going to take much in the way of freeloaders out here - not when tens of thousands of people need to ration showers. You didn't come here with much, but its going to be time to turn you back out into the desert soon. It would probably be in your best interest to enlist with us.

Let the lieutenant know when you've made a decision.

Welcome to the Strip 2

16:30

"OK, that took a little longer than expected, but you're clean, so it should be pretty quick from here on out. You have signed everything in triplicate - right? Your belongings are in one of the banks, and will be returned upon leaving the city. We're under martial law here, and keep petty tight tabs on the populace, and even tighter ones on new comers. I'm sure you're a bit hungry and tired after your journey here, but this would be the best time to get a tour - curfew is at eight PM. Yeah - another thing you'd never expect in Vegas.

The Streets are pretty much the same as they've always been and you can look up the exact names on the SPHERE later. However, what you should know is that its been divided up into sectors with transport terms for reference and admin purposes. The Strip is still the main thoroughfare - though not quite as fancy as it once was. Gambling was officially established here in the early 1930s so that part of town is still traditional, but the real upper class area is the Cloverleaf. Its two big ramps going up, then curving back and circling around with tall buildings in the loop they form together, and even more areas underneath. That's where most of the post 2020 construction and big names went.

The "interchange" and "off ramp" are the code names for much of the city proper. Parkway is where all the greenhouses are. No one gets in there without permission and clearance given how vital that is, even the generals need to call ahead. Turnpike on the north end of town is where the major transit hubs are - notably the maglev station and one of the smaller airfields. However, that is the only one we've left open to civilian flights - all the others are basing military craft. McCarran International Airport has become the largest deployment of bombers in this hemisphere, so far as I know. Don't go near there.

We've got functioning buses, which I would recommend using even if you just want to get across the street. Otherwise you're going to hit a security checkpoint about every 200 feet. Its not like we've literally paved the roads with gold - but we need to do something with all the solders we've got here. The actual mechanics of all these deployments are bit much to explain on an empty stomach - but i know a few good restaurants.

19:21

Foods good huh? Nobody's been stuck eating noting but MREs for years now. Admittedly, we haven't so much made the desert bloom as create an entire town of green houses but if you don't mind the near meatless diet, its not so bad. There is some good money to be made if you can start a cattle dive and bring fresh beefs to any city.

Hold on - over your shoulder. No, the other one. See the gal with the yellow beret that has one black stripe down the center? That is a crossbow. Do Not antagonise them, hell if you ever end up in 20 feet of one offer to buy them a drink or otherwise be as polite as possible.

As if three regiments, four aircraft squadrons, and the local police weren't enough, there are three special forces groups in Vegas. Commando Platoons one through five are akin to police special response and help break up problems non-lethally or doing covert ops if necessary. They're drawn from all branches of Special Operations Command since we don't have an abundance of any one group - there's even two or three guys with odd accents from the Special Air Service in the group. Its not like they were going to get home anytime soon, so they decided to help out.

Unlike the all volunteer World War Two Special Service force, ours is anything but. Not to mince words - its a penal battalion. However, since everyone is alike in a willingness to act in an unconventional manner, thinks on their feet, and knows how to get around security - those that survive two or three missions develop a certain esprit de corps that makes the group very effective - especially in their main role of scavenging for supplies.

And of course, the aforementioned crossbow. Eighty Five percent of SLAASH is bureaucrats and technicians who plan out and make ready for nuclear war. Ten percent are the actual pilots and misileers who carry out the strikes. The last five percent are the ones who guard all that stuff and recover it if necessary. It takes a special kind of loyalty to personally move live plutonium pits and cary launch codes - and these guys are fanatical. Try to steal a weapon, and they will beat you down, then pump you full of artificial adrenaline so you can't pass out as they proceed to rip your your eyes, break your legs, set you on fire, and then dump your charred carcass in the desert.

Well, with that lovely image - hurry up and finish your food. Curfew is fast approaching, and we need to get to your accommodations for tonight.